Rayven's Keep (13 page)

“Siren, full shields. Bring weapons online.” He buckled himself into his seat. “Tru, quit hovering and get your ass in your seat. I want you harnessed immediately.”

“What’s happening? Who was that?” She scrambled to her seat and fumbled with the straps.

Weapons fire rocked
Dominion
. Lights flickered.

“Status,” he barked.

“Shield’s holding, Captain.”

“Bring us around, Siren. I want to see that bastard.”

“Acknowledged.”

Dominion
banked left, hurling Tru against her seat. Gripping the chair arms, she braced her feet against the floor.

Nick eyed the viewscreen, not in the least intimidated by the bigger, battle-scarred warcraft. Battle, he understood.

The other ship came about, preparing to fire, but he was faster. Bright flashes of light hurtled through the black expanse of space, struck the other craft, exploding into a shower of sparks.

Return fire missed as Nick took evasive action and the shots streaked past. He loosed several rapid blasts to buckle the shields on the other ship. He scored a direct hit. The other craft listed to its side, maneuverability gone. He’d damaged them enough there would be no return fire.

Over almost before it began, the short battle did nothing to satisfy the violence thrumming in his veins, the brutal call of war demanding a kill. Fighting his training and every instinct he possessed, which dictated he destroy the enemy, he reached deep for control. He was no longer a soldier fighting a war where it was kill or be killed without reservation.

He sucked in a deep breath. “Status of the other ship, Siren.”

“Shields down, left weapons port destroyed and unable to fire, engines at half power.”

“Life signs?”

“I am still picking up four life signs, Captain.”

“Good. Open a channel. I want to talk to the sonofabitch again.”

“Acknowledged. Channel open.”

“What? Want to gloat before you finish us off?” The voice rasped, fury dripping off each word like acid.

“Who hired you?” It was a demand more than a question. Nick’s voice held no hesitation the other could use to his advantage.

The other man swore, promising retribution.

Unmoved, Nick waited.

“What’s in it for me if I tell you?”

Nick could tell it had cost the other man to ask. He clenched a fist, his knuckles showing white, the only indication he gave of the savagery still riding him hard. “You get to live.”

“Anto Geir.”

“Looks like he has caused us both some trouble.”

“So, what now, Rayven?” The words were bitter.

“I continue my journey.”

“Look, no hard feelings. I was just doing a job. Maybe we can work something out here. You don’t want to leave us like this. It will take months to get to the nearest planet for repairs.”

Nick spared a look at Tru. All the blood had leached from her face. She clenched the chair arms so tightly the fine bones in her hand showed as fingers left indents in the soft leather. Her breaths hitched.

“Not my problem. The next time our paths cross I
will
kill you.” He cut communication. It wouldn’t take much to destroy the civilized veneer he wore and leave nothing but scattered pieces of the other ship floating in space. The temptation was almost too great. “Siren, take us out of here. Now.”

“Acknowledged.”

In a flash, Siren had pushed the ship to the upper edges of its capabilities. Adrenaline and fury still coursed through his body, making his heart thud in his chest. He rolled his shoulders to release some of the tension. He fought the impulse to touch Tru, knowing it would be unwise until he was more in control of himself. He pinched the bridge of his nose and concentrated on his breathing until he was sure he had the necessary restraint to take care of her.

He stroked her hand with a light touch until he felt some of her rigidity ease. He was gratified when she released the chair arm and allowed him to enfold her cold hand in his.

“I should never have left home.” Her voice quavered like an old woman’s, and he tightened his grip. “I should have left well enough alone. I could have gotten us killed because of my pride. Why did I go to Lodestone? I–Oh God, I could have gotten us killed!”

Nick unbuckled his harness and stood. He did the same for her before lifting her easily out of her seat and into his arms. In the crew quarters, he settled her in a chair, grabbed a blanket from one of the bunks and wrapped it around her trembling shoulders. He left her long enough to fix a strong mug of tayberry, a drink he’d been introduced to when he moved to Alludra. He’d developed a taste for the somewhat bitter beverage and made sure all his ships had it onboard. Down on one knee in front of her, he helped her wrap her hands around the warm mug and raise it to her lips.

“You need to drink this. It will help.”

He kept his tone businesslike, unemotional, and was relieved to see some of the wildness leave her eyes as she focused on him and took a sip of the drink. When she looked a little steadier, he rose and took a seat opposite her.

He didn’t know what to say, or how to reassure her. He’d been a warrior too long, had been trained to ignore the horrors and move through the fear. Everyone he’d served with had the same training. They all accepted the risks, knew the score. He still took chances every day; it was as much a part of his nature as breathing. This kind of violence was new to her and it was easy to forget she’d been raised in a civilized world far removed from the violence so familiar to him. The other ship hadn’t stood a chance against
Dominion
and he’d known it from the beginning. His ship was faster, more maneuverable, and he understood what she was capable of doing.

“Will they come after us?” she asked in a small voice.

Her mug of tayberry wobbled and he removed it from her grasp to set it on the table beside them. He leaned forward, rested his forearms on his spread thighs and took her hands in his. He rubbed his thumbs across their backs as he searched her pale face.

“No. Their ship is too damaged to give chase.”

“They would have killed us.”

“Yes. Somehow, Anto Geir discovered we’re together and where we’re headed. I’ll do my best to keep you safe, Tru, but you have to understand, there will be other attempts.”

She took a deep, shuddering breath and nodded. He released her hands and she clutched the blanket a little closer around her shoulders.

“Thank you for being honest with me. I didn’t mean to bring this kind of trouble to you. I hope you know that.”

Before he could answer, she stood and crossed to her bunk. The lost look on her face was difficult to see, and it rocked him to know he would do anything within his power to prevent it from being on her face ever again.

Chapter 12

Bleary eyed and irritable, Nick rolled out of his bunk the next morning and headed to the cleanser. Nightmares had haunted his dreams every time he’d managed to fall asleep, giving him little peace through the long night. The dream never changed and he wondered if he would ever be able to escape the memory of being trapped in his disabled war ship and watching his home world go up in flames. The helplessness he’d felt and his screams of denial still echoed in his ears as he shut the cleanser door and turned on the water.

He felt like death warmed over. There was nothing he could do about it, and he was too weary to care. He only wanted to wash the dried sweat from his body and give himself time to clear his head before he faced Tru. After yesterday, he wasn’t sure what he would have to deal with to help her.

The last thing he expected when he made an appearance was to be greeted by a hot mug of tayberry and Tru looking determined. He scanned her face to see if he’d disturbed her with his bad dreams, and noted with some guilt, dark smudges shadowing her eyes. He murmured his thanks for the drink and took a fortifying sip while he considered what he should say, if anything. To admit he suffered from nightmares was humiliating.

“I think it is time I made myself useful around here. I’m tired of having nothing to do. I want to learn more about this ship,” she announced catching him off guard.

He lowered the mug and frowned, surprised by the resolve he saw on her face. “That isn’t necessary. I don’t expect you to become part of the crew.”

“If you are worried it will affect the fee you collect from my grandfather, don’t be. He’ll honor the agreement.”

“Money is the last thing I’m worried about.” He straightened away from the table and placed his mug down with more force than necessary.

“Then what?”

“This isn’t a game, Tru. You can’t just decide between one day and the next to become part of a crew–my crew.”

“I want to do this, Nick.”

“Why? This isn’t the life for you.” He waved a hand to encompass the cramped utilitarian quarters they occupied. “Look around you. This is about as far from your normal life as it can get. There’re no luxuries here. It is uncomfortable at the best of times and dangerous all of the time. The only reason you are onboard now is because of circumstances beyond your control.”

She shrugged, her soft mouth set in mulish lines. “Believe me, I understand. I’m not a complete fool.”

“Then give me one good reason why I should waste my time training you on even a basic level.” In spite of himself, he was curious. He watched her glance around as if seeing their surroundings for the first time before squaring her shoulders and meeting his eyes.

“I always thought I could handle anything, thought I knew what was best. Going to Lodestone proved me wrong and from the very beginning, I was in over my head. I’m ashamed and embarrassed by my actions.” She clasped her hands in front of her so tight her knuckles were white. “I might have been scared then, but yesterday terrified me. I had no idea what to do. I don’t ever want to feel that way again. I need to be able to do something, no matter how small.”

He picked up his mug and took a sip of his cooling drink in order to give himself time to think. They were going to be onboard
Dominion
for several more weeks and giving her something to occupy her time wasn’t such a bad idea.

“Okay.”

“Really?”

“I’m not guaranteeing anything here. This isn’t something you can just decide you want to learn one day and then be able to handle a ship the next. I’ll set up some learning programs for you. They’ll take you through the basics. Siren will monitor your progress.”

“Wait, Siren is going to instruct me? I thought you would.”

“No. I’ve a ship to run, in case you’ve forgotten. Siren is more than capable of running you through the fundamentals. It will be good for both of you. Just think of what you can learn from each other.” Nick hid a grin behind his mug then finished off his drink.

“Not exactly what I had in mind,” she muttered.

“Did you say something?”

“Um...nope. So how is this going to work? You know, Siren teaching me and all.” She tilted her head.

“Siren.” Nick raised his voice and winked at Tru. “Implement level one ship introduction for Tru. Guide her through the basics and answer any questions she may have. Give her access through one of the portable tablets. I want daily updates on her progress.”

“Acknowledged.”

“Excellent. I will leave you two to get started then.”

* * * *

Tru watched him saunter to the bridge, not sure what had happened. He never seemed to react the way she expected, and she’d been prepared to argue long and hard for what she wanted. The fact he gave in so quickly left her wondering if she’d missed something important in their exchange.

She was not lying when she told him she needed to feel she had some control and enough knowledge to help in a crisis. The attack the day before had nearly paralyzed her with fear, and it had taken a long time to quit shaking in the aftermath. Through the long hours of the night, she’d struggled with the truth of her precarious situation and her culpability in bringing it about.

She’d relived the events over and over, aware of Nick’s quick actions and his absolute command at the helm. He was the reason they were still alive. Her guilt had only increased when she heard him thrashing around in his bunk and recognized he was in the grip of another nightmare. She’d wanted to offer comfort, but knew from her previous unpleasant experience not to touch him. She hated being nothing more than a millstone around his neck, helpless to do anything and relying on him for protection. She wanted to do something to show she wasn’t incapable and weak.