I’m going to go supernova on Jas.
I’m stripped of my armor, gagged, bound, and propped up in a dark corner of some musty basement with only two tiny windows at the top for thin light to shine through, but as soon as I’m free, I’m going to pulverize Jas.
The murderous thoughts do nothing to aid the situation, but it’s either that or sink into the deep depression of my current circumstance. I find anger is much easier.
I yank at my durasteel bonds uselessly, but at least it gets some of my angry energy out. My feet are also tethered with chains connected to a hook in the floor. Was this place made to hide people? I shudder.
My hands drop to my lap, and I force the chill in my bones to be silent. I’m stuck in my polyweave pants and shirt, and without my hab-assist, I’m slowly turning into a block of ice. Is that his plan? Freeze me to death? I’d give anything to be warm again.
My mind conjures the warmth of Talie against me in the alleyway. My suit’s haptics translated her close proximity as heat and…and I need to stop thinking about her like that. She’s made it clear she’s choosing to accept her place on the Gravless throne and all that encompasses, which leaves a soldier like me out in the black without nav.
Stars, I hope she’s okay. I’m glad I had her stay at the food court, knowing whoever had me under surveillance for the meeting wouldn’t connect us, and I’m doubly glad I left the information I’m to convey in my helmet with her. Still, I had no idea that piks of a man would have the guts to betray me. And to Jas no less. My neck still stings where he stunned me.
Jas is a nasty creature, and I shouldn’t be so surprised he escaped wherever Gemma and Roper sent him to, but I’m surprised he found me so quickly. Before I can guess how, I catch a flicker in the dim light.
When I look up, I bite back a curse. Talie has removed the small pane of sio-glass and is slithering through the window.
“Wait,” I whisper-shout.
She cannot be here. It’s the furthest thing from safe.
“Quiet.” She fits the rest of her body through the narrow slot and floats down like she’s a cloud coming to rest on earth. “I’m rescuing you.”
She looks so proud of herself that I forget where we are and enjoy the look of triumph on her delicate features. Then reality slams into me.
“What in the Verse are you thinking?”
“I told you. I’m rescuing you. Now let me see those chains.”
“I—no.” My voice raises, and we both freeze. Then my body offers a convulsive shudder.
“You’re cold. We’ll have to get you some…” she assesses me “clothes.”
“You are not rescuing me, Talie Zarna. You’re getting out of here and finding passage on another ship—to anywhere. You got that?”
“That’s your best idea?” She looks pointedly at my chains. “Perhaps you’re just going to use brute strength to break those off. But wait, if that’s the case, then why are you still here?”
She has a point—I’m out of options—but that doesn’t mean she has to be too.
“Your safety is most important.”
“I know, okay? You feel the need to protect me at the expense of your own life, but if we could stop the chatter and focus on the problem, that would be great.”
I meet her stare, one hard gaze to another, but she’s right. I have no hope of getting myself out of here, and the information I have—
“Where’s my helmet?” My heart pounds against my ribs.
“You mean this?” She pulls a thin silver disc from a pouch around her neck.
“How did you know where it was?”
“I’m very observant.”
My relief is short lived. “Thank you for keeping it safe, but where’s the helmet?”
“Sorry.”
I’m never going to see it again. “It was custom made.” I can’t help my whine.
“I’ll buy you a new one. Now show me your hands.” She kneels before me and pulls out a small frequency reader. One pass over the chains, and she types in a new code then turns the reader back on the shackles. They pop open, and I appraise her with new appreciation.
“Impressive.”
“I have skills you know nothing about, Renner.”
“You’re always a surprise, Le’è.” Stop flirting, Renner. Stop it right now! But I can’t. There’s something about her singular focus and the pink tinting her cheeks and nose. She looks…excited. I shouldn’t be so giddy she’s doing a top-level job at busting me out of here, but I am.
“Okay.” She pops the clasp of the leg chains free, and I’m on my feet instantly. “But I can’t fit out that window.”
“I know.” She sizes me up, and warmth courses through my veins. Not enough to truly heat me, but enough that I go still when our eyes meet.
She clears her throat. “We’ll have to try.”
The sound of heavy boots jolts me out of my wayward thoughts. “Get out.”
“Not enough time.” She pushes me down.
“Hide.” My look screams the demand, and she does.
I quickly place the chains back, though they remain unlocked. Without armor, I need to time my attack on Jas just right.
I rest my head against a crate just as the door bangs open. Jas clomps in, his boots sounding like an earthquake. My chest is tight, and it takes every ounce of strength not to look in Talie’s direction.
“Little Ren Ren.” He pats me on the head like I’m a child. “Don’t look so upset. It ruins that ‘cute boy’ façade you’ve got going on.”
He pulls up a crate and sits, propping his elbows on his knees. “I just need to find your sweet little Gravless friend before our transport—and my backup—arrives.”
“You stay away from her.” I am fire and ice, burning and frozen at the same time.
Does he know Talie’s on planet? I force my expression to remain blank despite the anger that rockets through me. If he were to so much as lay a finger on her….
“So touchy.” He leans forward and roughly pats my cheek. “She’s worth a fair sum, you know. They’re pleased I found her. You could have turned her in yourself. Bought your freedom instead of groveling at the feet of Fayrin.”
“Lè Fayrin,” I bite out.
“Princess or no, she’s not the boss of me anymore. Or hadn’t you heard?” His look turns even darker. “I’m on retainer for the High House now. Turns out one skillful kill is all it takes to make it into their good graces.”
My mind races. Lè Fayrin told me of the assassination but, out of respect for her, I didn’t look at the information on the disc. Is Jas saying he was the one who killed the High Queen?
I think of Talie. This news must be a crushing blow. “You’re sick. You would kill for money?”
“I kill for power.” He leans in, expression dark. “I am to be the arm of justice for the High Council. I shall do their bidding, and in return? Riches, yes, but I have been promised a position in Cerlia.”
“To what end?” He disgusts me. He was once a great captain, someone I looked up to.
“To be a part of the new galaxy.”
I shiver, but it has nothing to do with the cold. New galaxy? Has Jas lost his mind?
“The tide is changing in Xerus, Byrenn. The seat of power is shifting from the many to the few who are qualified to rule it, and I will be on the side of the powerful.” He leans forward and roughly grips my jaw. “You’re going to tell me where the princess is. If you’re lucky, I’ll make your end quick.”
It’s now or never. I see my chance but hesitate.
Will I endanger Talie? Will she be able to escape?
“Somehow that offer doesn’t entice me to share.” I grind the words out.
I look past Jas, making it appear as if I’m unwilling to meet his gaze, and catch the whites of Talie’s eyes in the dark. Her nod is imperceptible, but it’s the push I need.
I flip the cuffs, grab the chain, and wrap it around Jas’s sizable neck above his armor. I kick off the other chains so my feet are free and sweep his legs out from under him. His hands pry at the thick chain as he tips to the side, taking me with him. The longer I can keep his armor-enforced strength off me, the better.
As if realizing this too, he releases one hand with a strangled growl, allowing the choking for the opportunity it affords him. His fist connects in a brutal kidney shot, though not at full strength since his oxygen is waning. I lose my grip. The clatter of durasteel follows a grunt. Then another fist to my jaw.
“Watch the face,” I mumble before I take the opportunity his hit has given me for a move of my own.
He’s thrown off balance by my knife strike to his neck, and I manage to gain my feet, backing away in the small area surrounded by crates. He stands as well, fists at the ready.
“You should have told me what you knew. It would have been much less painful.”
With a war cry I wouldn’t have expected from her, Talie launches herself from the dark corner she’d disappeared to. She lands on Jas’s back and wraps an arm around his neck. I see the muscles strain in her neck and realize she’s trying to use her ability to choke him, but his mass is too great.
Every muscle in my body tenses.
“What’s this?” Jas gasps. He’s hardly affected by her choke hold and latches on to her forearm.
I know what he’ll do next as if by precognition. He thrusts himself forward, flinging Talie over him, and she slams against the wall.
Her back and head connect with a sickening crack, and my vision goes red. I yell a cry of my own and leap at Jas. I don’t have to look long to know Talie is out cold, and it’s all I can do to force thoughts of her well-being aside as I throw a punch at Jas.
It’s no use. She floods my vision, and my hands shake even as my fist seeks a window between his armor plates. I duck his responding blow. He’s a consummate fighter, and my skills pale in comparison.
I risk a glance at Talie. She lies at an awkward angle. It’s all the opportunity Jas needs. He lurches at me and manages to trap me.
Defeat rests on my shoulders like a mantle. I’ve failed Talie. I’ve failed Lè Fayrin. I’ve failed.
Jas sucks in air and lets it out, his hot breath near my ear. “Gotcha.”
I wriggle, but his armored grip is like durasteel. His arms might as well be chains.
“Before I end your life, I must thank you.” He shifts us so we’re both looking at Talie. “You brought me quite a lovely gift. I’m sure she’ll help me pass the travel pleasantly before I turn her in to the council. Such soft skin.”
The mere thought of him touching any part of her turns me into blazing red fury. Aided by the element of surprise, and strength I didn’t know I possessed, I rip from his grasp and flip him to the ground. Then I’m on top of him, knees pinning his arms, and pummeling his face with my fists. It happens so quickly, I don’t know how I got there. All know is rage.
Moments later, gentle hands grip my shoulders. “Renner…Ren, he’s out cold.”
My fist halts midway. It’s covered in blood, as are my knuckles, but he’s still breathing.
“I should finish him.” I gasp, my whole body vibrating with rage. “The things he was saying—”
“I know.” Talie’s eyes fill with tears. “He’s responsible for my aunt’s murder, but I can’t condone his death. He deserves a trial and to pay for his crimes as any criminal would.”
“You heard him. The High House is corrupt. Who’s left to judge him fairly?” My breath rasps out in huffs, and I flex my fingers. The motion sends pain spiraling through my knuckles and up my forearms.
“I did hear him, and he said he has backup coming. Tie him up if you must, but we have to go.” She gently pulls me back, and I stand abruptly, coming to my senses. I turn to her, searching every part of her for signs of injury.
“How are you?”
“Just a bump on the head, that’s all.”
I can’t move. I’m a statue caught between reality and a future where Talie isn’t okay. Where she’s captured by Jas and…I shudder and close my eyes. Then I feel her touch on my cheek, anchoring me to the present.
“Breathe, Renner.” Her sweet voice whispers across the space between us. “That’s it.”
When I open my eyes again, I’m calm. The red is receding from my vision, and I’m more in control. I consider taking Jas’ armor, but immediately disregard the thought. He’s several sizes larger than me and it would only make me stand out. Instead, I make quick work of disabling the mechanics—no more added strength—and chain him up as he did me. I turn to Talie. “Are you ready?”
“Yes.” She holds out her hand to me.
I look at her one last time, as if I need to be reassured she’s okay. Her returning smile melts my frozen limbs, and I wrap my hand around hers.
“Let’s get out of here.”