“Women like to feel wanted, needed, like they’re important. I know I do, even though I run a ship on my own. And after last night, I don’t really want to be here anymore.”
His eyes bulge as we walk out into the field. “You pilot a ship all by yourself in space?”
“Yeah. It sucks sometimes. I am the pilot, co-pilot, maintenance, fuels, cargo loader and unloader, and munitions restocker in war zones. There are a lot of times I wish I had someone to fall back on, but I have trust issues. So no one really fits the bill, do you know what I mean?”
“I do. So you’re saying I should be a bit more aggressive when I like a female?”
“If you want her, show it. And a little bit of muscle doesn’t hurt either. Just don’t turn into a Ginarigon.”
He nods. In his movement, I find myself caught up in the way his scales shift colors and reflect the daylight.
“I’m Zariah.”
“Hakip. Most just call me Kip.”
“Kip, nice to meet you.” Upfront, an ABR announcer tells us that the women will run the race first. First to the bell at the top of the tower wins. “And, for the record, I think your color-changing scales are very interesting.”
He blushes. “Thanks.”
Someone slams into me and hugs me. “Are you ready?”
Teol grins and bounces. “Tag-team our way to the top?”
“Sure. Uh, Teol, meet Hakip.”
“Hey, you found one!” Teol shouts.
I grimace and chuckle as Kip shyly lifts a hand. “We’re just friends.”
The large, dark and broody male that caught her last night joins us. “Teoool,” he rumbles, wings twitching behind him like they desperately want free of their bindings.
“Oh, Zariah, meet Gashnaar. He’s actually pretty funny when he comes out of his shell.”
“Ooonly for yooou, Teoool.” Gashnaar nudges her neck with his large nose. “Yooou’re up, ladiesss.”
I glance behind me and can’t find my guard.
“What are you waiting for?” Teol grabs my wrist, an excited look on her face. Her hair is smoothed into a long, thick braid today, and I wish I had done the same.
“My guard.” He said he’d always stay close. But with Teol, I figure I’m fairly safe.
“Ah, just lick your finger and stick it in their ear if anyone gives you a problem.” Teol gets to the railing and bounces on her toes.
“Gross.”
She shrugs. “Works on Keo every time.”
More women racers gather at the railing while Teol explains her plan of ascent. I’ll hoist her up to the rope bridge, then she’ll help me up with a hand. We’ll use the same tag-team method for the main hut, the sky bridge, the tower, and the bell.
The timer ticks down. I wonder if my guard is close. Electronic trance plays out over the speakers, growing louder and faster as we get closer to the beep. When I don’t see him, I turn around and find him just behind another woman, eyes on something down the row from us. It’s then that I notice a recent tear in his neck. It’s barely scabbed over.
Someone attacked him? When did that happen?I didn’t notice it when he brought me dessert.
It had to have happened after he left my room for the night. Did they attack him because of me?
Frustration that yet more good people are being hurt because of my father’s reputation grows. I thought it was over when I escaped him years ago. I see now I was wrong.
“Easy girl.” Teol rests a hand over my curled fist. “Whatever you’re thinking about, just channel it, yeah?”
