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TALIA KNELT ON A CUSHIONED bench below one of the viewing panes in the control room of the immobile transport. She stared at the white-covered ground surrounding the vehicle. The wind had diminished, and the density of the flakes dropping from the sky had thinned.
She glimpsed at the array of vibrant pink, green, and violet lights dancing along the horizon, an indication that the storm was passing. The twisting and turning display reminded her of the documentary virtuals she’d viewed about the aurora borealis back on Earth.
Her gaze kept straying to the edge of the deep ravine no more than ten feet away and running parallel to the vehicle. Shortly after they’d followed Gedrin to join the group, Dolok had explained what had happened, how they’d narrowly escaped plunging over the side.
The cut on her arm was minor compared to the injuries she could have sustained or how easily they all could have died. She rubbed her arms, pushing away the terrifying thoughts that made her shudder.
“Dammit.” Lexa, who’d taken a seat in the copilot’s chair, smacked the smooth surface on the console next to the controls.
Talia startled, adjusting her knees so she could see what had upset her sister. “What’s wrong?”
“The communication signals here are scrambled.” Lexa skimmed her fingers over several buttons near one of the displays. “I don’t know if it has anything to do with the field, or if it’s a result of the storm. Either way, I can’t reach the Inferno, and I don’t think we’re transmitting our location to Rex anymore.”
Before they’d left, Talia had talked the group into making the android their failsafe. She’d been worried something might go wrong, that they’d be trapped out here on their own. Talia didn’t want Dolok or any of his team to have the codes to access her ship, so the responsibility for monitoring the transmissions had fallen to Lexa and her. The men hadn’t been happy about her decision and, after some extended grumbling, stopped pushing her for the information.
Now that her worst fear had happened, she wanted to hear how the men planned to handle the situation. Until Lexa’s outburst, Talia had only been half listening to the conversations going on around her. They’d been waiting for the storm to pass, the men using the time to strategize the best way to proceed. She was aware of Dolok’s penetrating gaze, the intent way he kept glancing in her direction. He’d already expressed his concerns about her welfare, and she was pretty sure he was still angry about bringing Lexa and her along.
Ross swiveled the pilot’s chair so he was facing everyone. “Do you want the good news or the bad news first?”
“So far, nothing I have seen or heard on this trip could be considered positive news,” Gedrin grumbled, glancing in Talia’s direction and letting her know she was on the list, then returned his attention to Ross.
Talia slipped her legs over the side of the bench, then leaned back on the seat. Gedrin’s low opinion of her was irritating, but she refused to let it bother her by telling herself she only had to deal with him for a few more days.
“I do not agree with your assessment.” Corran glanced in Lexa’s direction and grinned.
“Give us the bad news first,” Dolok said, getting the conversation back on track.
“If the computer readings are accurate, we’re close to reaching a location where the mountainous terrain narrows, making it impossible to use the transport to continue.” Ross got out of his seat and walked to a flat screen mounted inside the wall near the rear exit from the room. He tapped some buttons below the display, then referenced a specific spot on the map that appeared on the monitor. “It will take us another day to reach the area where we think Tremaine is located.”
“Are you suggesting we suffer the cold and travel on foot?” Dolok pointed outside at the snow covering the ground. “You expect us to walk for an entire day in that white stuff?”
Talia couldn’t believe that Dolok, who always appeared so fierce and in control, was acting like a small child about to throw a tantrum. She pressed her hand over her mouth to hide her amusement. She might find it adorable, but she didn’t think he’d see the humor in her assessment, so she refrained from saying anything.
“It’s called snow, and that’s exactly what we have to do if we want to find Tremaine.” Ross blew out an exasperated breath. He didn’t appear any happier about the prospect than Dolok did.
Lexa chuckled. “I’m afraid you’re going to have to suck it up, big guy.”
“I am unfamiliar with that human saying.” Dolok tensed, seemingly unimpressed by her comment. “What does it mean?”
“Ignore her.” Talia shot her sister a warning glare. “We should be fine. The fur coats are lined. They should keep us warm and protect us from the elements.” As long as we don’t encounter another one of those crazy storms.
“What about the females? At some point, they will need to rest and will slow us down.” Gedrin stubbornly crossed his arms. “I too do not wish to travel in the cold any longer than necessary.”
Talia gripped her thighs, fighting the urge to smack him for his assumption. It was tough, but she strained to remain positive, to tell herself that his rudeness stemmed from concern for their welfare. At least he wasn’t referring to Lexa and her as scavengers anymore. Nor had he repeated his comment about them attempting to slit their throats while they slept, so maybe they were making progress.
She couldn’t maintain the delusion for long and snapped, “The females will be able to keep up just fine.”
Gedrin snorted, then ignored her by directing his attention to Dolok. “What do you propose we do for shelter?”
“That’s the good news I was talking about,” Ross interjected. “I’ve scanned this whole area. It’s loaded with caves and catacombs.” He swept his hand across the screen, enlarging the image. “We can use them to avoid any storm and have a place to sleep for the night. If we each carry a pack with food and supplies, we should be fine.”
Dolok concentrated his gaze on Talia, then moved closer to her. “I would like you and Lexa to reconsider staying here where it is safe.”
Talia stiffened, prepared to argue, but stopped when he held up his hand. The least she could do was hear what he had to say before she told him no. She knew Lexa was fuming when she saw her slap Corran’s hand away, then get out of the seat and move to the other side of room.
Dolok placed his hand over hers. “Talia, being inside the transport is one thing. Out there, where we have no idea what we will face, is far more dangerous. It is not something I had anticipated when I made our agreement.”
Talia scooted away from him. She couldn’t think clearly when he was touching her. “Don’t you dare pull that macho crap. You made a deal, and I expect you to honor it. You wouldn’t have gotten this far if it wasn’t for me, and you aren’t leaving us behind.”
“I’m with Talia.” Lexa plopped on the bench next to her, roughly tucking her arms across her chest, then defiantly jutting out her chin.
Talia wanted to kiss Lexa for being supportive. Though this time, she wondered if it had something to do with being separated from Corran.
Was it possible her sister was Corran’s mate? If she was, had he told her, or was the information Lexa had shared with Talia only wishful speculation? There’d never been any secrets between them, and Talia figured it wouldn’t be long before she had her answers.
Dolok reached for her again, this time wrapping his fingers around her arm, gently yet firmly, so she couldn’t pull away. “Talia, please.”
His plea touched her heart, and it took every bit of her control to maintain her resolve. “No. You can either let us go with you, or we’ll find another way on our own.”
