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

Eridani stood and crossed the few steps to the bars. “Aw, shucks. I bet you say that to all the hostages. This feels like a work in progress, so here’s my feedback: you’re coming on a little strong. In the future, maybe don’t start with a romantic proposal two days after you helped murder my girlfriend.”

“Although I noticed dried bloodstains when I retrieved Husthar’s wetsuit from the cargo hold, I did not realize there was a loss of life,” said Eleski. “Neither did I realize there was another you considered close, as I did not think to explore any of your branching paths.”

“That path has a name,” said Eridani. “Thuraya Mir, and I love her very much.” She glanced away. “I always will.”

“Will you tell me about her?”

“What? No!” said Eridani. “Are you socially inept or just completely naïve? I really can’t tell.”

“It appears that my hope for your friendship is outpacing my ability to empathize,” said Eleski. “I am sorry for your loss. To have won your love, Thuraya must have been a very special person. I regret I was unable to delay her final truth.”

“You mean death, right? Because she died. She didn’t ‘final truth.’ She was murdered by your boss,” said Eridani. “Keep your sympathy, Eleski. It means nothing to me.”

Tears gathered in Eleski’s eyes. “Husthar is preparing to transport you back down to the Rhyondan surface. He will meet one of Admiral Schurke’s agents at a clandestine location to complete your transfer. I wanted to assure you that you will not be alone.”

“I wasn’t alone to begin with,” said Eridani.

Eleski brightened. “Are you proposing we form a partnership?”

Eridani scoffed. “What? No! I’m talking about the ocelini.”

“Who is the ocelini?”

Eridani blinked, and she smiled slightly. “What ocelini?”

“You are the one who spoke of an ocelini, and as such I expected you to explain his—”

“Swabby!” shouted Grostonk from further down the passageway.

Eleski jumped. “…his relevance. Please excuse me.”

“No talking with the prisoner,” said Grostonk. “Poker night in the engine room is over. I only caught a whiff, but it smells like you’ve got your work cut out for you.”

Eleski exhaled, and her shoulders sank. “I am on it,” she said and grabbed the mop. She shoved it into a rolling bucket, and without another word wheeled it toward the lift.

Eridani gripped the bars. “Grostonk! Thank God you’re here. Everyone on this ship is in grave danger. You need to get me on a call with my brother before it’s too late!”

Grostonk stomped close, dressed in jeans and a black superhero T-shirt. His dark brown fur blended with a shaggy beard, and he narrowed his deep purple eyes as he faced Eridani. “Yeah, right.”

“No, I’m dead serious! When he finds out I’m here…” She gestured an explosion and mimicked its sound. “Say goodbye to Imperium and all hands aboard.”

He crossed his massive arms. “Not buying it. It’d take him weeks to get here, and we can handle a B-class kinetic.”

Eridani shook her head. “Nope!” She popped the P at the end. “He may be on the books as a kinetic, but that’s not all he is. He can teleport. I’ve seen it with my own eyes.”

“You’re lying,” said Grostonk. “I’ve seen his file. He’s only demonstrated kinetic abilities.”

“Do I look like I’m lying?”

“Maybe not,” said Grostonk. “What are you after?”

“I just want the ship to be safe,” said Eridani.

Grostonk slowly shook his head. “No, you don’t… Oh, I get it. You don’t really expect me to take you seriously, but you do expect me to mention our conversation to Husthar. So, if I say nothing at all to him, I win.”

Eridani shrugged. “Not true. If you tell him nothing, you keep losing. I see how they treat you. You’re very smart, but Bloodtusk takes all the credit for your ideas. If he’d sent the Buccaneers across the salt flats, Falcon still would’ve wiped them out, but the damage to the preserve would’ve been irreversible. Your plan—Surprise Destinations with AI pilots—actually could’ve worked with a proper strategist at the helm.”

“You heard that?”

“I’m here entirely by design.” She tapped the bars. “I’m here to avenge the death of my girlfriend, and that means dealing with Bloodtusk. You can help me by being a part of it, or you can refuse me and be a part of the casualties I leave in my wake.”

“Help you?” Grostonk snorted. “Why the hell would I ever help you?”

“Because I’m taking control of this ship. If you help me, you live.” Her expression darkened, and Grostonk stepped away from the bars. “If you don’t, I’ll do whatever it takes. Without compunction.”

He cleared his throat and mustered something that approached a derisive laugh. “From inside your cell?”

“This is my headquarters,” said Eridani.

“If I sign on, I’ll need some assurances,” said Grostonk. “Since Ostonk’s technically my twin brother, I can’t let you kill him. And if it’s a mutiny you’re working on, Husthar terrifies the crew. No one’s going to mutiny while he’s breathing free air.”

Eridani regarded him curiously. “What do you mean ‘technically’ your twin brother?”

Grostonk huffed. “Husthar and Ostonk go way back, and Husthar really likes having him around. In fact, he likes it so much…” He pointed his thumbs at his chest.

“You’re Ostonk’s clone?”

“His giant clone,” said Grostonk. “That’s right.”

“Fascinating.” She raised her brow and smiled. “Don’t worry about Ostonk. I give you my word that he won’t be harmed if you join me. As for Bloodtusk, I will personally make sure he goes straight to the brig after I’ve taken command.”

“You’re damn convincing, I’ll give you that,” said Grostonk. “I’m going to need some proof of the control you say you’ve got.”

“Name it,” said Eridani.

“Let yourself out,” said Grostonk. “Right now.”

“No way.”

Grostonk shot her a smug look. “Because you can’t. Because you’re lying.”

“No, because I’d be tipping my hand,” said Eridani. “You’re listening for my signals, and you’re