Page 52 of Marked By the Bounty Hunter

I touched the crystal carefully. “You’re sure?”

“Already made copies.” His skin shifted to amusement. “I’m not completely terrible at espionage.”

“Could have fooled me,” Kell muttered, but her mandibles clicked fondly.

I pocketed the crystal, feeling its weight settle against my hip. One more piece of unfinished business. One more wrong to right.

“We’ll make sure it gets where it needs to go,” Tyrix promised.

“I know you will.” Odra’s patterns shifted to something more serious. “But be careful. The Consortium’s reach is long.”

“So is mine now.” I flexed my hands, still marveling at their new strength. Purple markings swirled across my knuckles, beautiful and deadly.

Kell moved behind the bar with fluid grace, pulling out glasses. “One last drink before you go?”

“You know I don’t-” I started.

“Special occasion.” She poured something that glowed softly blue. “And your metabolism can handle it now.”

I picked up the glass, inhaling subtly. Rare spirits, trace minerals, something that made my nose tingle.

“To new beginnings,” Odra offered, raising his own glass.

“To old friends,” I countered.

The drink burned pleasantly, leaving traces of starlight on my tongue. Through our strong bond, I felt Tyrix’s amusement at my reaction.

“Speaking of friends...” Kell reached under the bar, producing a familiar bottle. “Take this. For the road.”

My throat tightened. It was the same tea blend I’d drunk during countless late shifts, the one she’d special-ordered when she noticed I didn’t drink alcohol.

“Kell...”

“Don’t get sentimental on me now.” Her mandibles clicked rapidly. “Just don’t forget where you came from.”

“Never.” I hugged her carefully, mindful of my new strength. Her exoskeleton was warm against my cheek.

Odra’s skin rippled through farewell patterns. “Take care of each other out there.”

“We will.” Tyrix’s voice held absolute certainty. Through our shared bond, I felt his fierce protectiveness, his pride in what we’d become together.

I took one last look around the bar - my home for so many years. The scarred tables, the mismatched chairs, the wall of bottles catching starlight through grimy windows. So many memories held in this space.

But when I reached for regret, I found none. Just gratitude for what this place had given me, and certainty about where I was going.

“Ready?” Tyrix asked softly.

I squeezed Kell’s hand one final time, nodded to Odra. “Ready.”

We stepped out into the corridor together, leaving the bar’s warmth behind. Through our shared bond, I felt Tyrix’s question - did I need a moment?

“No.” I took his hand, twining our fingers together. “Everything I need is right here.”

His answering surge of emotion made me smile. Together, we walked toward the docking bays where his ship waited. Toward whatever came next.

Behind us, the Rusted Horizon’s lights dimmed. But I didn’t look back. Some chapters had to end for others to begin.

And this one? This one was just getting started.

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