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While impressed with her new acquaintance, she was unnerved and jumpy, ready to blade someone at the slightest provocation.
‘Greetings, Sana’a of the Shotelai.’
The long-haired woman sucked her teeth as she drew up to the table. ‘Is anonymity and privacy an absolute no-no on Eden II?’
‘Only when we have a plethora of dignitaries on the rock, followed by the ghosting in of a shikari SHärd-blader and dagger woman. We have a few enemies, so we tend to over-monitor events such as these per our security protocols.’
Sana’a cocked her head with a sigh. ‘Who are you, and what do you want?’
‘Sit,’ her new companion urged. ‘This might take a while.’
The Shotelai woman shut her eyes for a moment to compose her thoughts.
‘If you’re after any reassurance, I’m Mirage Sable, and I have a close affiliation with Zane Sable.’
Sana’a bucked at the name, remembering the sapphire-eyed meta she’d tangled with under the surface of this very same moon.
‘He sent you?’
The creature parted her mouth to reveal perfect android teeth. ‘He and another of the Riders.’
The shikari groaned and pulled herself into the velvet-lined bench across the ebony-skinned beauty. ‘What do they want? Because I dare not refuse the Sable Group.’
‘Perhaps it’s more of a case of how can we help each other.’
‘How’s that?’
Mirage raised a finger, and a server brought a steaming pot and two exquisite cups. ‘I’ve always loved a cup of tea. So soothing.’
When Sana’a began to protest as the beverage was poured, Mirage pointed another digit at her. ‘You need it to cleanse your system of all the ‘hol you’ve imbibed tonight. It will give you a clearer mind to contemplate what I will request of you. You’ll thank me later.’
The beguiling creature placed a tiny teacup full of dark liquid in front of Sana’a. ‘Enjoy.’
The Shotelai woman grimaced. ‘You’re used to being obeyed.’
‘More like listened to. Now drink.’
Sana’a drank.
Mirage did, too, then sat back between smoking a skinny synth cheroot with a slight smile on her exquisite face.
The brew was refreshing, and the Shotelai woman found herself gulping it.
As Mirage had promised, it helped to calm Sana’a after her massive miscarriage with the Katánian.
After a beat, she flicked her eyes up at her booth mate. ‘What do you want from me?’
‘I’m guessing you discovered that your mark today was not who you thought they were.’
Sana’a flung up a hand in exasperation. ‘Fokk, I’m not used to working this way.’
‘Apologies, but we run a tight ship on Eden II. We see everything.’
‘Never a truer maxim, as I’m coming to find out.’
Mirage gave a small, self-satisfied smile. ‘Thing is, Sana’a, I happen to know whom you seek. The people who conspired in the plot that led to your family’s tragedy. They included the recent-deceased Kíríga of Katáne. However, they did not comprise the man you tried to kill today,’
Three tragedies indeed. The loss of a father, the demise of a Queen and the destruction of a kingdom’s future and fortune.
