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Tepins were the preferred livestock on ships because they were so quiet and easy to care for. The rotund flightless birds were delicious, too. They weren’t exactly like Earth birds, because instead of feathers, they had downy fur and quills. But they did have beaks and bird-like clawed feet. The top of their heads sported crests that always reminded Delaney of tiny little Mohawks.
They’d ordered several dozens of these creatures since Berus could eat a few in a single sitting if they let him.
The rest of the crew was on board the ship, which had left for its special mission. Ulrek had called a private meeting and told them all about the plan. Most of the crew looked glad they were finally doing something to get rid of the thorn in their side, but Delaney was nervous. So many things could go wrong.
“You’re thinking of the crew,” Tahra said. “I was like that too when I first joined up. Every time they went off the ship for a mission, I’d sit in the medbay imagining all the horrible things that could happen to them.” Tahra put a comforting hand on hers. “Trust me. It gets easier with every mission.”
“I hope so.”
That must be why they gave those staying behind such a long to-do list: to keep them distracted. Picking up the supplies and bringing everything back to the hangar in Kean’s compound was a lot better than sitting around in Ulrek’s suite, wondering if he was in mortal danger.
Tahra got up to walk around the large warehouse, taking in all the plants and animals. She bent to check out something, and Gavin made a strangled choking sound, his eyes planted squarely on her ass. The two had been making eyes at each other all day, and Delaney was sure Tahra was bending over directly in front of Gavin in that short skirt on purpose. For a Tallean woman, that was considered subtle. With the number of hints she’d been dropping, both here and back on the ship, Delaney wouldn’t be surprised if she pulled him into her room the next time he walked by.
“Why not just go for it, Gavin?” she asked when Tahra had walked a little farther off.
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“Oh, come on. Don’t play dumb with me. I’m not blind. And neither is the rest of the crew. Tell me, how long did it take for everyone to suspect something was up between me and Ulrek?” It was great to be able to call Ulrek by his real name here on Vosthea.
He snorted. “Please. First day.”
“Right. So yeah, just go for it.”
Gavin huffed. “It’s not that simple. First, she’s like fresh out of school. Second, and most importantly, have you seen her brother? He’d pummel me.”
At a few inches past six feet, Gavin was not a small guy. He was built too, with lean muscles and broad shoulders. But still, he had nothing on Tuhror.
“Oh, I don’t know. Talleans are pretty open about sex in their culture. But you already know that.”
Hehadhooked up with Ulia after the baths, so it wasn’t like he was unfamiliar with Tallean females. And Delaney was sure Tahra had done her own form of hunting while on Reka 5. It wasn’t like she was saving herself for him or anything.
“Still, I’m not going to risk it. I like being alive, thank you very much.”
Delaney laughed. “Fair enough. So I kind of feel bad about asking, but what’s up with Ckzarr and Roxy? It’s getting hard not to notice them making eyes at each other, but as far as I can tell, everything’s still PG-13 between them.”
“Yeah, they’re…complicated.”
A movement at the door caught her attention. Two armed Tallean males who hadn’t been there before now stood in front of their only exit, their weapons across their chests. A feeling of wrongness filled her. Next to her, Gavin stiffened, and his hand quietly went to rest on the blaster strapped to his hip. Tahra hurried back to them, worry plain on her face.
The Tallean employee who had greeted them before looked just as confused. She pushed her trolley right up to them. “Excuse me? Can I help you?”
They ignored her.
“Please move. I need to get these outside.” She tried to push the trolley through them.
“Boss said no one in or out,” one of the males snarled, shoving the trolley back at her, making her stumble.
The door to the office slammed open.
“You promised me Ulrek, and all I see are two useless humans and a female.” There was a sound of something being hit.
Tahra grabbed Delaney’s forearm. “That’s Gritarr,” she whispered.
Shit. Ulrek had set a trap for Gritarr, but Gritarr had done the same for him.
“I swear he said he would be here,” a shaky male voice bleated.
“I should have listened to my source. He was sure theRevengewas doing a deal for Kean at Station 3.” Gritarr strode toward them, his boots loud on the ground.
