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

glum. It’s not over yet. And let’s say you just happen to use your powers on that no-good piece of human garbage, Ky Rego. No one else but the captain’s gonna lose any sleep over it.”

Orin looked at his hands. “But I’ve tried everything I can think of, and I can’t get my stupid powers to work!”

“Don’t give up,” said Shona, and she patted his back.

◆◆◆

Right on time, the shuttle drew close to the Rocksaugh mining facility. Casey exchanged messages with landing control and set her approach. The shuttle touched down on a large, circular tarmac.

It took a moment for clamps to engage, and the tarmac descended deep into the asteroid. Overhead, its airlock dome sealed shut. As soon as it completed its decent, the tarmac’s clamps disengaged, and Casey taxied to the nearest available spot. After a lengthy pause, the landing platform ascended.

As soon as her shuttle had fully docked, Casey exited the cockpit. “We’re light in our step out here, so use your mag boots.” She switched hers on. Shona and Malmoradan followed Casey’s example. April stooped low to activate her mag boots and quietly sighed.

“You got something to say?” asked Casey.

April managed a thin-lipped smile. “Not at this time.”

Casey held April’s stare a moment before directing her attention to the others. “Shona, you’re rearguard. Malmoradan, secure the prisoner.”

The exterior pressure indicator switched to green. Casey opened the airlock and extended the boarding ramp. Shona donned a corpsman’s rucksack as Malmoradan hoisted Orin from the bench and bound him with wrist restraints.

“Time to go,” said Casey.

They stepped out into a vast hangar bay. At least half of the pill-shaped wall lamps had gone out, along with much of the overhead lighting. Robotic arms settled back into their recesses, amidst scattered rubble and the husks of augur trucks long fallen to disrepair. A fine layer of dust coated everything.

Moored nearby, Ky’s shuttle towered above them. Large enough to engulf Casey’s shuttle with room to spare, his vessel looked as old and sturdy as she was massive. Light, metallic gray covered the lengthy fuselage, and muted light shone from his shuttle’s nose. “ERGO” had been painted in tall letters just below the forward lamps.

A side ramp hissed, and steam billowed forth as it descended from an airlock door. Ky Rego appeared at the threshold, a rugged fellow with a handsome smile, the perfect amount of stubble, and a splash of danger in his dark brown eyes. His gaze darted to Casey, and he tipped his weathered porkpie hat. “Mm… Who is that tall drink of water?”

From his back, a red-skinned mphuno stomped into view, dressed in black denim. “It’s Cassie, boss.”

“Rinshi, I…! I know it’s Cassie,” said Ky. “I was bein’ rhetorical-like. Besides all that, she prefers ‘Casey’ these days. You know that.”

“Sorry, boss,” said Rinshi.

“It’s okay,” said Ky, and he returned his attentions to Casey. “Now, where were we?”

“I was about to compliment the size of your shuttle,” said Casey.

“Oh, that ol’ thang? That’s just my lifeboat,” said Ky. “Wait till you see the size of my ship.” With a broad grin, he removed his hat, revealing a full head of dark hair tied up in a loose ponytail. He pulled Casey into a tender embrace. When they parted, he said, “Look at you! Still breakin’ hearts, I bet.”

“Just yours.” A remorseful smile flickered across her face, and she prodded his shoulder. “You look smokin’ hot as ever. Got any plans for dinner?”

He leaned in close and cast her a smoldering gaze. “I could move a few things around.”

“Please do,” said Casey, and she playfully bit her lower lip.

Orin cleared his throat, drawing Ky’s attention. “So, this is what passes for the galaxy’s first O-class binary, huh? Welp, you’re bigger ‘an most, I’ll give you that much. Where’s the screamer?”

“They don’t work on him,” said Casey.

“That’s okay,” said Ky. “I’ll get some guys to put irons on your sister. Take out your folks first of course, so you know I ain’t messin’ around.” He gestured aiming a firearm. “It’s crude, but it’ll keep you in line.”

“Try it. See what happens,” said Orin, and his hands burned blue.

“Looks like I hit a nerve. Ain’t that somethin’.” Ky approached Orin and reached up to grab him by the chin. “Rein it in, kid. I ain’t gonna touch your family unless you make me, and since I’m fixin’ to wipe the piss right out of your vinegar, it won’t even be a thang.”

“I hope not,” said Orin. “For your sake.” His fire flickered out.

April regarded Ky with disdain. “Charming.”

“Could say the same about you, exceptin’ I’d mean it,” said Ky, and he blushed slightly. “Howdy, April. Been way too long.”

“Yet, somehow you’re even more revolting,” said April.

Casey stepped close to her cousin. “Maybe you should wait in the shuttle.”

“Only if you join me,” said April.

“All right, let’s wheel it back a bit,” said Ky. “We can all be civil to each other for five minutes, cain’t we? Now, what say we have another look at that paperwork.” He walked over to Casey, and April retreated in disgust.

Casey produced a digital contract. They exchanged signatures, and Ky transmitted his payment. “Consequence is parked just outside the asteroid ring,” said Ky. “I’ll send coordinates over to Old Man Squiddy, assumin’ he’s still flyin’ your ship.”

“Of course, he is,” said Casey. “Why wouldn’t he be?”

“You used to go through pilots faster ‘an the guild could train ‘em,” said Ky, and he laughed. “Just sayin’.”

“Yeah, well, those days are behind me. All my wild oats are long sewn,” said Casey.

“Not all of ‘em, I hope,” said Ky.

A yearning smile returned to Casey’s face. “I’ll ask Cajun to cook up something special for us.”

“Beautiful.” They shared a quick hug. “I got a few thangs to take care of before I leave, but I shouldn’t be more ‘an an hour behind you.”

“Don’t keep me waiting,” said Casey.

Ky returned his hat to his head. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

With a dreamy smile, Casey returned to her shuttle. Shona and Malmoradan