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

“I do. Look, I’ve seen Simicron around. I can spot his glow in a crowd, and in my line of work, you don’t last long without a way to fend off a skin-thief,” said Martin.

She held his gaze. Behind her, the sausages sizzled.

Martin shrugged and smiled. “What?”

Her anger faded to a simmer. “Whatever, Marty.” Returning her attention to the stove, she turned off the fire and retrieved the heated baking pan. Wisps of smoke snaked up from the oil. One by one, she placed the sausages within and poured the batter before closing the oven.

“How have you guys been?” asked Martin.

“Been better, been worse,” answered Oliver. “Gettin’ home’s been downright perilous.”

Aurora hugged him close. “I’m glad you’re here.”

“Me too,” said Martin.

“Well, I spent the last three months working as a line chef, over at Glenfinnan’s,” said Aurora. She told tales of spills, pranks, and nightmare customers. They all talked and laughed easily, enjoying each other’s company as they gathered at the table and dined.

When Oliver got up to relieve himself, Aurora moved close to Martin and spoke in a hush. “Thank you for saving my husband, but I’m worried. Did he tell you about the other two?”

“What other two?” asked Martin.

“Frostshadow and Lafuega,” said Aurora.

Martin swallowed hard. “Oh, shit.”

“All three of them are connected, I’m sure of it. Can you think of anyone who has the means and the motivation to come after my family with that much firepower?”

“It would be a very short list,” said Martin.

“Look into it.” Aurora’s cold glare challenged him to refuse her.

“Of course.” He glanced toward the bathroom for only a moment. “I’ll get right on it.”

“I need you to up your game.” Her expression was grave. “Find a way to keep us safe. All of us. I’m counting on you.” Aurora moved back to her chair.

The toilet flushed, and water soon rushed from the sink. Oliver whistled as he washed his hands, and he hummed as he dried them. He soon emerged from the bathroom with an affable smile. “I know how I spell relief,” he chuckled, and he paused at the table. “Before I sit down, is anyone else up for some seconds?”

◆◆◆

Aurora scanned the freezer as Oliver washed the dinnerware. “What do you guys think?” she asked. “Ice cream or apple pie?”

“Both,” said Martin, and his datapad buzzed. He received two video files from an anonymous account. “Please!”

“It’ll take thirty minutes to bake the pie,” said Aurora. “Do we want ice cream first, or should we wait for both?”

Oliver rinsed a dinner plate and set it in the drying rack. “I prefer waitin’ for both.”

“Same here,” said Martin. He got up from the couch with his datapad in hand and made his way to the bathroom. “My turn,” he said as he stepped inside and closed the door. “Be right out!” Seated atop the toilet lid, he watched each of the videos. His pulse raced as he played them back repeatedly. “Mike was telling the truth,” he whispered. Martin sent a flurry of messages to several prominent members of the Falcon Sovereign Diaspora.

At last, he emerged and took Aurora aside long enough to whisper, “I don’t know who’s behind it yet, but I have a pretty good idea why they’re after your family.”

“Start talking,” she hissed.

“It’ll be better if I show you,” said Martin. “The others should be here soon, and everyone needs to see this.”

“Others?”

Martin smiled dryly. “Hey, you’re the one who asked me to keep everyone safe.”

“What are you up to?”

Only a moment passed before someone knocked on the door, and Oliver looked at his wife. “Are you expectin’ anyone?”

“No, are you?” she asked.

He shook his head and looked at Martin. “One of yours?”

“Or one of yours,” said Martin.

Oliver and Aurora shared a puzzled look before Oliver strode to the door. “Who is it?”

“It’s me,” said his daughter, Eridani. With an impatient laugh, she noted, “Building management still hasn’t gotten around to fixing the doorbell, huh?”

“Eridani?” He tapped open the door.

Wrapped in a floral duster, his daughter stood before him, her weight shifted to one side. Tall and graceful, golden blonde hair tumbled down past Eridani’s shoulders, framing her oval face. “Hey, Dad,” she said as she hugged him affectionately. “Martin’s driver wouldn’t take no for an answer, so here I am.” Crossing to her mother, they shared a sweet embrace. “Torsha’s mom is right behind me.”

“Iona? I thought she was on location for another month,” said Aurora.

“She was,” said Eridani. Her pale blue eyes looked heavy. “You know how persuasive Martin can be. Even without being there himself.” She nudged Martin’s shoulder. “Hello.”

“Hi, Eridani,” said Martin, and they shared a quick hug.

An ocelini woman stepped off the metal walkway and onto the shag carpet. A supple, red-orange mane brushed against her shoulders, subtle in appearance against her striped, red-orange fur. Her jade-green eyes sparkled as they found Oliver, and she smiled. “Hey, Ollie.”

“Where’s Torsha?” asked Martin.

“I thought she was with Mike,” said Iona.

Martin nodded. “I’m sure they’ll be here soon.”

“What the hell is goin’ on?” asked Oliver.

Martin winced. “Surprise reunion?”

Eridani covered her mouth as she stifled a yawn. “Is there any coffee anywhere?”

“Here,” said Aurora, and she tossed her daughter a bag she plucked from the freezer.

As Eridani retrieved the electric grinder and ground the beans, Oliver quickly caught them up on the events that had taken place at the corner market. When he was done, Eridani hugged her father. “I’m glad you’re okay. What happened to Tammy?”

“She’s en route to New Cal General,” said Martin. “I’ve been told she’ll make a full recovery.”

“Oh, thank God,” said Eridani.

“Why this sudden interest in her wellbeing?” asked Martin.

“Eridani and Tammy were best friends, growin’ up,” said Oliver.

“They dated for a little while in high school, too,” said Aurora. “They were very sweet together.”

Oliver chuckled. “Not sure she ever really got over you, kiddo. Reckon that should’a clued me in when that skin-thief didn’t ask after you.”

“Don’t go blaming yourself for that,” said Eridani. “Martin’s the superspy. It’s