Page 90 of Mutant Mine

“So,” I ask. “Where did you go when you first got out of Watergap?”

I settle down into my seat and sip my drink, as Spektor grins and begins to tell me the long tale of how they got here, and everything that has happened while I was imprisoned.In the background, Lucas and Weaver are chattering in the kitchen, and something begins to smell appetizing. The liquor from the fruit of the moon is sour-sweet, strong, and very good.

Being here with them is a miracle. For years, this is all I have longed for. But part of me is waiting in the bedroom, with Rory. I will go to her soon.

Rory.My heart. My love. Mine.

I do not know what lies ahead of us, amongst the stars — but wherever we go, home is here. With her.

42

Rory

I SPLASHanother palmful of water onto my face, rinsing away the Hades, then meet my own eyes in the mirror.

How did I get here?

The Starbound is amazing: warm, comfortable, quiet,safe. Our room has its own bathroom, a bed that’s big enough to fit even Roth, and an empty closet that I hang my few clean uniforms in.

Just for something to keep me busy, I do my best to freshen up: brushing my hair, washing my face, smoothing lotion under my tired eyes.

I left Roth to catch up with his brothers. I wanted to give them an opportunity to talk without me. They’ve been so welcoming and generous, but I know there’s things they probably want to say to him — questions they must want to ask each other, that they may not want to open up about with a stranger around.

The rest of the Hades crew have gone off to their own rooms, too. It makes me happy to think of them all right now, up to their neck in soap suds, wolfing down a meal, or sinking into the sheets for their first comfortable night’s sleep in weeks.

My crewmates are pretty disorientated. They’ve spent the last few weeks in absolute confusion — not knowing what was happening beyond their cell walls, let alone how Rothand I could possibly have ended up together, or why it was his brothers who came to evacuate us all.

I was worried about what to tell them — but since we came aboard the Starbound, they’ve all just been going with the flow, without any more suspicion or difficult questions. They must have realized that thereisa story here that vindicates Roth and his brothers, even if they don’t know exactly what that story is.

Actually, that’s not quite true… One person was suspicious. Before one of the brothers hauled him off to the med bay to fix his poor broken teeth, Tommy cornered me with eyes as big and wet and sweet as a cow’s, to ask whether Ireallywant to be with Roth, or whether he need to “zap him” for me.

I can’t help but laugh, picturing it — but Tommy was deadly serious. He’d really take on Roth with just a stun-gun and a prayer, if he thought I needed him to. Jeez, that kid. If he hasn’t got anywhere better to go, I kinda hope we can persuade him to stick around.

At least we’ll have a few days together before we reach the nearest solar system and drop them off at a space station.

Knock knock.

I jump up, hastily drying my face.

“Come in!” I call.

Selene slips into the bedroom and closes the door behind her. She’s carrying an armful of clothing, and greets me with a tentative smile.

“Hey,” she says. “I thought you may appreciate some new clothes?” She holds the bundle out to me.

Selene herself has changed out of the fatigues she wore to board the Hades, and into a more feminine outfit: fitted pants tucked into sturdy boots, a tank top, and an open, silky jacket that falls to her mid thighs. It’s the same plum color as her lips.

After weeks in such a masculine environment, she’s mesmerizing. I’m blinking down at her admiringly, feeling like a drab brown sparrow.

“You’re taller than me,” Selene says, “So the pants might be a little short on the legs — but they should be more comfortable than that heavy jumpsuit.”

“Oh, wow — thank you,” I say, taking the clothes from her. “That’s so kind of you.”

I lay the clothes on the bed, then stand there awkwardly for a moment while Selene looks me up and down. Does she expect me to get changed in front of her, or…?

Selene nods to herself, as if she’s been examining me and found just what she was looking for. Then she fixes me with a warm, encouraging smile.

“So,” she asks, sitting herself down on the edge of the bed. “How are you, Rory?”

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