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

“You’re relieved,” said April. She alighted upon a steel container where she activated her mag boots and stood parallel to the deck. With the tether in both hands, she slowed Orin’s acceleration, leaving him dangling off to the side. “Captain’s orders.”

“Really?” asked Malmoradan as Casey stormed past. Tracking his captain, he watched her take hold of the handrails and ascend a set of steel stairs. Shona hurried after. Returning his attention to April, Malmoradan asked, “How the hell are you supposed to run the ship and guard the prisoner at the same time?”

April shrugged and smiled. “I can’t, but Casey’s pissed at me, so there it is.”

Malmoradan raised his enormous shoulders and handed over the restraints, the keys, and his end of the tether. “See you for chow.” He turned away and followed his crewmates up the stairs.

April stored the restraints and keys in her pocket. She pulled Orin close and turned him to face her. “I’m sorry,” she offered. “You deserve better than this.” Guiding his arms and legs to grab onto her in piggyback fashion, she carried him toward the stairs.

“I make Casey nervous,” he replied, and for a moment he remembered how Torsha had looked at him right after he’d used his powers. He winced and closed his eyes. “I’m a monster, I get it.”

“Orin, you’re not a monster.”

“Everyone’s treating me like I am, except you,” he said. “I guess that makes you ‘good cop,’ right? Well, you can drop the act, because I’m not hiding anything.”

April sighed and shook her head. “This isn’t a good cop, bad cop kind of thing.”

“Then why are you being nice to me?”

April cast him a backward glance. “You really don’t want to go down that road.” Gripping the rails, she stomped down on the first step.

“What road?”

“Don’t read into my kindness, and definitely don’t fall for me because I’m the only one being civil to you.”

Orin blushed. “That’s not how I meant it.”

“Are you sure about that?”

He laughed. “Well, now I’m sure!”

April smiled to herself. “Good.”

A moment passed as she labored up the stairs. “Why don’t we just float up?” asked Orin.

“There are plenty of sharp edges embedded in the overhead,” said April. “Plus, our ranch-hand needs a tune-up. Half the time anyone goes floating around in here, it mistakes them for unsecured cargo and tries to stack them on top of the other containers.”

“What’s a ranch-hand?”

Pausing in her advance to point behind her, she indicated a large robot arm that hung directly over the shuttle. With a goldenrod coat of paint, black diagonals marked it here and there, and old stains leaked from a dozen joints. “It helps with repairs and heavy lifting.”

“That’s cool,” said Orin.

Except for the quiet buzz of her mag boots and the clang of each footfall, they continued in silence. Soon, they alighted upon a wide landing and crossed into a narrow passage. Directly ahead, a pair of doors faced each other. As they passed by, she noted, “Those are Edison’s and Cajun’s quarters.” Next to one, a placard read, “Dr. Edison Stone, M.D.” Next to the other, a placard read, “John LeKay.”

“John’s nickname is Cajun, I take it.”

“That’s correct,” said April. “Only Krané ever calls him John though, and usually only when he cooks something Krané loves eating.”

“Who’s Krané?” asked Orin.

“He’s the ship’s navigator and her helmsman. He’s cullthoun, so try not to make it awkward if you run into him,” said April.

“Awkward? How would I make it awkward?”

“Have you ever seen a cullthoun in person?” she asked.

Orin adjusted his grip. “One of my best friends in middle school was a cullthoun. Kadena was her name. Kadena Bolrae.”

“Then I suppose you won’t make it awkward,” said April. “That’s good.”

They continued along the passage.

“The brig and the med bay are in the next passage over,” she explained. “I hope you won’t be seeing much of either.”

When they reached the central lift, she followed a circular deck around to the call button, walking past another passageway and stopping with their backs to a third. April tapped the call button, and they soon boarded.

Orin caught a glimpse of a fourth passageway around the bend. He imagined the deck plan resembled a Phillips head screw top. “What’s down those halls?” he asked.

“Those are supplemental quarters. They’re earmarked for contractors in case we need some extra muscle for a takedown.”

“I’m surprised you didn’t hire any contractors for me,” said Orin.

“We weren’t even sure if you had powers,” said April, and they ascended one deck higher. Upon their arrival, they exited the lift, walked a few paces along the circular deck, and headed straight down a passageway to the second door on the left. A nameplate affixed to the jamb read, “Kendra Keating.”

At her urging, Orin disengaged from April, and she opened the door. Lights flickered on, casting dusky illumination upon a cozy room, complete with a recessed bed, a recessed desk, wall drawers, and a tiny bathroom at the far end. “Let me know if you want it brighter in here,” said April. “Kendra always liked it dark.”

“I don’t mind the dark,” said Orin.

“Well, give it some thought. This is your home for the next three weeks,” said April.

Pulling himself inside, he hovered near the bed. “Three weeks?”

“The nearest assessment facility is located at the edge of the Ixion solar system. Even accelerating at a steady 1G, it’s a long trip.”

Watchtower groaned from stem to stern, and weightlessness gave way to the centrifugal force of acceleration.

“There we go,” said April. Gazing upon Orin for a moment, she sighed wistfully. “I have to lock you in here, but I’ll be back soon with something to eat. Try to get some rest.”

Orin stumbled as gravity took hold and sat down heavily upon the edge of the bed. He glanced up at her. “I don’t think that’ll be a problem.”

April stooped low to switch off her mag boots before closing the door. She hesitated