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

April hissed quietly, gingerly working her bloodied wrists and shins into less painful positions. Tears gathered in her eyes as she tried her best to breathe evenly. Her lips trembled as she exhaled.

Shona chewed on the inside of her cheek. “Nope.”

“Shona, don’t,” said Malmoradan.

“Don’t what?” sneered Broose.

Shona clenched her fists, curling up chunks of her armrests’ padding. “You made April cry.” She lunged forward, swiveling her arms, and she burst the wires holding them in place. Stooping over, she pulled apart the bindings that sliced through her legs. Blood flowed along her boots, crystalizing where it dripped into the cryogenic fluid. Rising to her feet, Shona struck Broose under his stony jaw. Blue shards rained down as she pummeled him senseless.

With terror in his eyes, Broose cried out as she bore him down and drove her knee against his neck. He fumbled for his sidearm, but she snatched it away. Gritting her teeth, she primed his plasma pistol and pressed its barrel against Broose’s forehead.

“Shona, stop!” barked Malmoradan. “Control yourself!”

Forcing a deep breath through her nose, Shona knelt a moment longer. “All right,” she whispered. She deactivated the weapon, stood up, and pocketed it. With a huff, she picked up the lamp and set it on a nearby counter.

“You should’ve tied me up,” said Broose, and he scrambled to his feet. Blood oozed from a dozen fissures in his skin. “You can keep the gun because you’re dead!All of you are dead!”

Shona exchanged looks with Malmoradan.

He slowly shook his head. “Listen to me, baby girl. Orin won’t let Blacktusk kill us.”

Puffing her cheeks, Shona nodded. “He might,” she said, and she ripped the operating table out of the deck plating. Mounting bolts and ribbons of metal sailed through the air as she spun around and smashed the base of the table into Broose’s head, sending him back down and crushing his skull.

Fatherly disappointment kindled in Malmoradan’s eyes. “Shona, get us out of these chairs. Quickly, please.”

“Well, I’ll be,” whispered Ky.

“What about him?” asked Shona.

“Not a chance,” said April. “Ky’s planning to curry favor with Blacktusk by betraying us at the first opportunity that presents itself. The only hide he cares about is his own.”

Ky chuckled. “She ain’t wrong.”

“Sorry, Ky,” said Shona. “It’s nothing personal.” She punched him out cold and set to freeing her friends.

◆◆◆

Drake paced back and forth inside the warthog, stealing glances at Casey as she sat in the far corner, her wrists and ankles bound with her own cuffs. He paused, took a deep breath, and managed a sloped smile. Clearing his throat, he approached her and stopped a few paces away. He stared at her.

“What?” asked Casey.

“You’re very pretty,” said Drake, and he hunched over to tug at Casey’s hair. “Is it always this black, or do you dye it?”

“Neither,” said Casey.

“Huh?”

“It’s a wig,” said Casey.

Drake looked puzzled and he pulled firmly. “No, it’s not.”

Casey seized the moment to head-butt him squarely in the nose.

Staggering backward, Drake landed hard on his tailbone. Cupping his bloody nose, he shouted, “Stupid bitch!” Surging to his feet, he charged Casey with his fist raised high. He winced in pain, however, as Blacktusk caught Drake’s forearm in his vicelike grip.

“She is not the stupid one,” said Blacktusk. “She sees us as the enemy, and you foolishly presented her an opportunity to attack. Consider this—how much can we possibly ask for her safe return if she is already broken when we make our demands?”

“I was only gonna mess her up a little,” said Drake.

Blacktusk’s expression darkened. “Do not lie to me.”

Drake’s chest sagged. “Aye-aye, Captain.” His arms fell to their sides. “Sorry, Captain.”

“I won’t be hearing any more outbursts, will I?”

“No, Captain,” said Drake. “I’ll keep my cool.”

“Good.” Blacktusk walked over and crouched in front of Casey. “If you attack my men again, I will bind you as thoroughly and painfully as possible. Please understand that I do not wish to do this, but I will if you force me to. Do we have an understanding?”

Casey glared at him in response.

“I will take that as your tacit agreement.” He stood up, locking eyes with her.

April intruded on Casey’s thoughts. Shona lost control, and Broose is dead. The whole lab is a mess. On the plus side, we’ve got most of our gear back, and a plasma pistol.

Are you hurt? asked Casey.

Malmoradan and I have superficial wounds, but Shona’s got some pretty deep cuts on her shins and forearms, thought April. We glued and bandaged her, and her dressings are holding, but she’s lost a lot of blood.

Keep an eye on her. Tell her to take it easy, thought Casey.

“I no longer have your undivided attention,” said Blacktusk. “Why would that be?”

“I’ve got a headache,” said Casey.

Blacktusk chuckled. “Indeed. As would I after headbutting Drake, but that isn’t it. You’re communicating with your binary.” With a polite smile, he crossed the deck and paused at the exit. “Drake.”

“Aye, Captain!”

“Broose has spent too much time with the others. I fear he may have indulged his more pernicious appetites. Rally a few others and check on him for me, will you? You know how moody he can get.” Blacktusk cast Drake a sidelong glance. “I’ll send someone to guard Ms. Cartwright in your place.”

“Aye-aye, Captain,” said Drake, and he followed Blacktusk out into the hangar bay.

You’ve got five minutes, thought Casey. Drake is on his way, and he’s bringing friends. Get to the upper deck. Ky’s got hidden compartments on either side of the crew quarters door. You and Malmoradan should be able to squeeze into one, and Shona can take the other. I’ll be there as soon as I can, but it’s up to you until then.

Up to me?

Use your phantasms, thought Casey. Keep them on the lower deck for as long as possible.

April projected waves of fear and doubt. You know what happened with Blacktusk! I’m rubbish in a pinch.

You can do this. I know you can.

I… Please come