Page 63 of The Edge of Dawn

The ship’s doors opened, revealing a human.

A woman.

She stood there for a moment: quiet, calm, watchful, taking in everything with her dark brown gaze. Like Ashrael and Dragek, she exuded a certain aura; only where Dragek was forceful and Ashrael was ominous, her presence was gentler, more subtle.

But no less intimidating.

Unaccompanied, she walked across the cabin until she reached Jade and Dragek.

“Hello, Jade.” She was beautiful, with soft brown hair that fell to her shoulders and elegant features. Something about her was uncannily familiar, even though Jade was certain she’d never met her before. “I’m Noa. I’m one of the humans who lives and works with the Kordolians—the Darkstar Group. I’m pleased to meet you, although I’m not so sure you’d say the same about me right now. I heard you’ve been through quite an ordeal, and I’m sure ending up here was the last thing you were expecting.”

“When I got out of bed this morning, I wasn’t planning on taking a trip up to space,” Jade said dryly. Despite the strangeness of everything, she was relieved to see another human, and Noa’s demeanor put her at ease. “But things happened, and I realized I’d rather be here than on Earth—for now.”

“Wise thinking.” Noa’s lips curved into a faint smile. “They really aren’t as bad as they look.” Then, her expression turned serious again. “I was like you once. I know how destabilizing it can be. I know it’s probably hard to trust anyone right now, but I want you to know that you have allies here. We humans stick up for one another.”

“I wish all humans were similarly inclined,” Jade muttered, a hint of bitterness creeping into her tone.

“I highly agree. Now, if I can actually convince Dragek to let you go, I’d be happy to show you to your quarters. You will have plenty of time to rest and refresh.”

“I hope you have hot showers here.”

Noa’s smile widened. “We most certainly do. A post-human modification. Kordolians don’t do warm showers.”

Jade turned to Dragek, who had been watching her with quiet intensity the whole time. “You don’t?”

Dragek let out a soft snort. “What for? Deep cold is much more preferable.”

“You really are from another planet, aren’t you?”

“Aren’t you?” A hint of amusement crept into his tone—so unexpected from someone like him.

“If the rest of the Universe finds the idea of warm showers strange, then maybe I am.” The fact that she could get amusement out of him invoked a feeling of giddy lightness in her. Pressed against his warm, hard body, the heaviness and pain left her.

She felt like she was floating.

The murmuring voices were still there in the back of her mind, but they’d reduced to background noise, and she was fairly certain she could try Dragek’s jar trick again if they became too overwhelming.

Maybe things weren’t as bad as she’d first thought.

“I need to leave.” But then the spell was broken because, once again, his voice grew cold and hard, hinting at a dark existence she could only try and imagine. How did he know he had to leave all of a sudden? Was someone else talking to him in a mindvoice? “You go with Noali now. Rest. Heal. Everything else will take care of itself.”

“And you?”

“Me?” His dark brows drew together into a look of genuine puzzlement—as if it was unthinkable that someone else would worry about him. “Don’t concern yourself over me. There isn’t much in the Universe that can harm me.”

A floating machine appeared in the open doorway. It took Jade a moment to realize it was a hovering seat—for her.

Everything was taken care of. There was nothing for her to do but go along with the flow.

And hope that the Dragek she knew now—this calm, strong, unshakeable male—would exist somewhere in her future.

TWENTY-ONE

You’re needed in the command center. Join us there. Ashrael’s mindvoice echoed in Dragek’s thoughts as he made his way through the vast, curving corridors of the Fleet Station.

He hadn’t been on the station before, but he knew how to find the command center because Ashrael was broadcasting his presence blatantly enough that anyone who possessed even a sliver of ability would be able to detect it.

He’d been summoned.

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