Rivers of Orion by Dana Kelly (a court of thorns and roses ebook free .TXT) 📕

“I really need to change clothes,” said Eridani. “I’ll catch up in a minute.”

Thuraya looked around. “I’ll keep you company.” They hurried up the stairs, headed for their room.

◆◆◆

Just outside the mansion, the surface of the lagoon rippled. Submerged within it, Bloodtusk exhaled quietly through his trunk, spraying a small cloud of mist. Slowly, quietly, he surfaced, bracing himself on an underwater ledge.

Carefully, he took off his goggles and tapped his commlink. “Warburton, this is Husthar, come in.” He heard no reply. “Warburton, come in.” Static filled the air. “Aldan, Songhua—come in. Somebody, come in!”

He waited a moment more in silence.

“Where are you guys?”

The shuttle pilot cleared her throat. “Sorry, boss. No one’s checked in for at least thirty minutes. No chatter, nothing.”

“Stay off the channel, Myeong,” said Bloodtusk.

“Just trying to help,” she said.

“Well, you’re not.” Shaking his head, he pulled his datapad from a watertight pouch and switched it on. He tapped a Dark River icon and opened a four-by-three grid. Select personnel information appeared at the top of each rectangle, positioned over an animated loading bar. With mounting dread, he watched each rectangle turn dark red, and every vital meter run flat.

Bloodtusk swallowed visibly. “Myeong, come in!”

“I thought you wanted me to stay off the channel.”

“I need a pickup,” said Bloodtusk. “There’s a good chance it’ll be hostile. Wait for my signal, then set down on the north bank at the top of the waterfall and have that ramp open!”

“Roger that,” she said. “Awaiting your signal.”

He scanned the cavern. Ahead of him and to the right, dim light shone from the garage door windows. Moving as quietly as he could, Bloodtusk climbed out of the lagoon.

◆◆◆

Thuraya and Eridani stood before their bedroom door. “It’s not registering my gene key,” said Eridani, and she moved her wrist across the doorknob. A portion of the wall next to it glowed bright red.

Thuraya tried her gene key but met the same result. “We’re locked out. Well, that sucks. I mean, it makes sense, but it also sucks. Did you leave anything in the dryers?”

“Maybe? Honestly, I don’t remember, but it’s worth a look,” said Eridani.

“What about Martin?”

“If he’s still in there, I’ll explain what we’re doing,” said Eridani. “If he’s planning on cramming us all in the basement for however long it takes to find Bloodtusk…” She sniffed her blouse and made a face. “I’m sure he’ll understand the urgency.”

Torsha hurried into view, pausing at the foot of the stairs. “What are you doing up there? Everyone’s supposed to be in the basement. Come on, let’s go!”

“Give us a couple minutes,” said Eridani, and she hurried down the stairs. “We’re just going down to check the dryers.”

“I’m sure that can wait,” said Torsha.

“It really can’t,” said Eridani. “I stink right now.”

Thuraya descended and stood at Eridani’s side. “It’s true. She does.”

“This isn’t a priority right now,” said Torsha.

“It is to me,” said Eridani. “Look, it’ll just be a couple minutes. I’ll even change in the basement if it’ll make you feel better.”

Torsha raised her brow and crossed her arms. “It can wait.”

Eridani nodded, and with a sly smile, she bustled past Torsha. Thuraya laughed ran after her.

“You’re seriously making me chase after you?” said Torsha, and she groaned. “You two, I swear!” Torsha quickly caught up to Eridani and Thuraya as they headed for the garage.

◆◆◆

Bloodtusk retrieved a card from his pack and held it close to the garage side door. It flickered red for a moment before turning green, and the door clicked. He stowed the card and pushed open the door. Overhead lights switched on, and he dove under the Humvee. His tusks grazed the undercarriage.

He calmed down as the moments passed, and he slowly extracted himself from under the vehicle. Climbing to his feet, he opened the driver-side door and reached for the ignition switch. Swinging it all the way over, the vehicle remained dormant, and he muttered under his breath. He climbed inside, searching the visors and under the bench for the activation key. On the other side of the garage, he heard voices, and he hit his head on the steering wheel as he reared up.

“I see clothes,” said Eridani, and she hurried over to one of the dryers. She opened the door, stooped over, and rifled through the dryer’s contents. After a moment, she stood up and crossed her arms. “These are my dad’s clothes.”

“Do they fit you?” asked Thuraya.

“Just forget it,” said Eridani.

“That’s what I’ve been saying,” said Torsha.

Eridani sighed. “Sorry for the smell.” She turned toward the stairs.

“Hey,” said Bloodtusk, and he gave them all a start. He pointed an oversized revolver their way. “Don’t move.”

“Bloodtusk,” growled Torsha. “You piece of shit.”

“I remember you,” said Bloodtusk, and he sneered. “Lose your hat?”

“How did you get past the marines?” asked Eridani.

“They’re marines,” said Bloodtusk, and he shrugged. “Wasn’t hard.” He gestured for Eridani to approach. “Where’s your brother?”

“You mean my brother?” asked Thuraya, and she stepped between them.

Bloodtusk flinched, very nearly pulling the trigger. “Ah, good one, whoever you are.” He holstered his sidearm and pulled out a large hunting knife. “You almost tricked me into shooting you, which would’ve been bad for both of us.”

Thuraya felt shivers run along her spine. “Right,” she said. “Guess you’re too smart for me.”

Bloodtusk glared at Eridani. “Where’s your brother? Tell me the truth or I’ll kill you.”

“He’s not here,” said Eridani.

“You’re lying, which means you have to die now,” said Bloodtusk. He tapped his knife blade against his hand. “It’s your fault he’s going to be an only child. I want you to know that before I kill you.”

Thuraya lunged forward and grabbed Bloodtusk’s pistol. Glaring fiercely into his eyes, she squeezed the trigger. It boomed, and the bullet shredded the holster. Muzzle flare singed Bloodtusk’s wetsuit. After their ears stopped ringing, they heard footsteps approaching rapidly from inside the mansion.

“That was really stupid,” said Bloodtusk. With a smirk, he slashed Thuraya’s throat.

“No!” shouted Eridani, and she ran to Thuraya’s side as she collapsed.

Thuraya gurgled and