Page 121 of The Space Between Stars

“I need more help, Pinto.” She shuddered. “I need answers, and your currents run deep. Please tell me anything you know about Roskaad Thyatira?”

He pushed her out to arm’s length, eyes narrowed. “Why?”

“I might be dating him.”

TWENTY-NINE

CALVEROUS

Year: 748 Post Cataclysm: Present Day

Location: Jiradesh Desert

Asoft breeze grazed Calver’s face, lifting him from slumber. He’d tied Dex’s tent shut. There should be no breeze.

His eyes snapped open.

Niklaus crouched inches away, blowing on Calver like he was too-warm stew. He still wore the soot-blackened uniform from the morning.

“Miss me?”

Surging relief brought a bubble of laughter into Calver’s throat.

“Azadonian brat told me you were here.”

“Ay!” Dex shouted from just outside the flap.

Niklaus thumbed in his direction. “Kid’s standing watch.” He plopped a knapsack between them. “Eat. We have problems. Don’t make starvation one of them.”

Niklaus held up his hands. “I’m good at talking my way out of these things.”

“Ask nicely, eah?”

On impulse, Calver flicked Niklaus in the cheek.

Nikaus stiffened. “Did you just slap me? I might have anticipated a good bludgeoning, but that tiny little slap?”

“Can I hit him?” Dex grumbled.

Niklaus snorted. “I’ll give you details, but forgive me if they’re muddled. It feels like all four Fates are taking turns prodding my brains around. I may not have friends in high places—that requires having friends—but I do offer high bribes.”

“That’s it.”

Simple… and not remotely believable.

“Minus a few unworthy asides, but we don’t have a lot of time, so, eat,” Niklaus repeated. Calver opened the knapsack and sipped from the bowl of gruel within. “You’ve been challenged directly at the rally—Sergeant Kian Mastico. He’s Major General Mastico’s son, and a hell of a fighter. He’s usually above this sort of social discord. I imagine he’s been instructed to serve a lesson.”

The food sat heavy in Calver’s stomach. Command was watching the match? Great. Where did that put them?

“How do you know?” Dex asked.

“Because he told me.”