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

A nearby pile of rocks collapsed in slow motion as each stone sprouted four stumpy legs. With a burst of speed, they scattered. “What are those?” asked Malmoradan.

“Tortocas,” said Mike.

Malmoradan nodded. “I ain’t ever seen a tortoca before.”

Orin removed his bandana. “They’re indigenous to Rhyon, right here in the Sea of Sands.”

“According to his mom, crossing a pile is supposed to be a good omen,” said Mike.

“It looks like they’re mating,” said Shona.

Mike nodded. “I think you’re right.” He cleared his throat and turned his back to the pile.

“Well, whatever they’re doing, crossing a pile is lucky. Luckier than ladybugs,” said Orin. “My mom used to take us camping out here when we were kids, and every time I’ve seen a pile, something good has happened to me. Usually within the next twenty-four hours.” He grinned. “Nimbus is going to be fine, and this trip is going to be great!”

They heard a shrill whistle in the distance and turned to see Casey hurrying close. “Hey guys,” she said. “What took so long? I was starting to get worried.”

“We encountered an unannounced MABAS checkpoint,” said April. “We had to take the long way around, but it was nothing your driver couldn’t handle.”

“That’s a relief. The last thing we need is for Orin to turn up on their radar again.” She gave the driver a double thumbs-up. “Thank you very much! We’ll take it from here.”

He nodded and shifted into reverse. Sand and gravel crunched quietly under the tires as he pulled away and drove off.

“Welcome back, all of you,” said Casey. “Mike, I’m glad you decided to join us. Right this way.”

Resting atop a nearby mesa, her shuttle’s hull gleamed in the setting sun. Cajun, Edison, Sturmhardt, and Misaki sat on folding chairs, positioned on either side of the boarding ramp. They talked and joked amongst themselves.

As soon as she noticed the others approaching, Misaki hopped up, beaming. “Hi, Orin!” she called out, and she waved.

Orin laughed. “Hi, Saki!”

They quickly gathered their things and boarded the shuttle. Casey retracted the boarding ramp and sealed the airlock as the others crowded into the passenger compartment, where they now shared space with a dozen large crates. “What’s all this?” asked Malmoradan.

“Resupply,” said Cajun. “There’s plenty o’ right fancy food inside, too. Ya’ll are eatin’ well this trip!” He glanced at April and nodded toward the cockpit as he settled in. “She’s waitin’ for ya.”

April tapped the side of her head. “I know.” She squeezed Cajun’s shoulder and took her seat at the copilot’s station.

Casey glanced her way with a smile, and the shuttle soon lifted off.

◆◆◆

Within the Webbs’ apartment, Oliver’s doppelgänger glanced at Torsha. “You feelin’ okay, Torsh?”

“No, don’t.” She held up her hands as she sank into the couch. “Don’t do that. Don’t use his nicknames for me. And for your information, Harvest Tide’s next Thursday. You two really should’ve put paper turkeys, miniature cornucopias, and string lights all over the living room. Aurora makes a big deal about decorating for all the major holidays.”

“That was our mistake,” said Aurora’s doppelgänger, and she reverted to her natural form. “We believe it is better to remain at home as much as possible. Reduced interaction leads to reduced risk of discovery.”

“Everything’s in a box in the closet,” said Torsha. “I can show you. Do you think she buys new decorations every year?”

“We had not considered decorating for any holidays,” said the female. “Romald and I will correct our oversight after you have departed aboard the sky van.”

Torsha laughed dryly. “His true name is Romald?”

“That was spoken in error,” sighed the female. “I should not have said that.”

“Oh no! It’s Pandora’s box,” said Torsha. She made ghostly sounds as she slowly waved her hands.

“My true name is Romald,” he said in his own voice. “Why do you find that funny?”

“It’s like a joke name,” said Torsha. “ROM plus Ronald equals Romald.”

The female blinked pointedly. “I do not follow.”

“You know, because you’re techno-organic! It’s one of those words, like holotainment or flicycle. What’s it called, a… an anagram? A palindrome?”

“You mean a portmanteau,” said Romald.

“No, it’s not that,” said Torsha, and she regarded the female. “What’s your true name?”

Lights flashed along her throat, and her eyes dimmed slightly. “That was an error on my part. You were not supposed to know either of our true names. I humbly request you accept my refusal to share my true name with you.”

“Come on! Who would I tell?” asked Torsha.

“I will not voluntarily share that information with you,” said the female.

Torsha rolled her eyes. “Fine, whatever.” She sank back into the couch. “Wake me up when it’s time to go.”

◆◆◆

Near midnight, the female denshi-tengu processed an encrypted communication. After conferring with Romald, she nudged Torsha awake. “It’s time,” she whispered, and she wore a friendly smile.

“Already?” asked Torsha, and she yawned luxuriously.

Unhurriedly, Torsha gathered her things. “Thanks for your hospitality, and thanks for playing Aurora, I guess. See you around.”

She hugged the female and followed Romald outside to the stairwell. Quickly and quietly, he led Torsha down to street level, to the loading ramp of a white panel sky van. After she settled in, he sealed the passenger compartment and took his leave.

The sky van lifted off, and Torsha slept all the way to Klettastrond’s coast.

She stirred as the vehicle descended beyond the waterfall, past a wall of aspens to an island of stone surrounded by a colorful lake. When the vessel touched down on a landing tower adjacent to a certain cavern, Torsha finally woke up. She unbuckled her restraints as someone from the flight crew opened the back gate and lowered the ramp, letting in a cool breeze and the afternoon sunlight.

“Right this way,” he said, and he offered his hand to help her down.

“I got it,” said Torsha, and she descended, setting foot upon a