Page 62 of Kryxis

The ship slowed, gliding closer, then latching itself to one of the bay doors. Once their ship was locked in place and the port depressurized, the ship powered down.

They unlatched from their seats. When Saul and the others weren’t looking, Dani leaned over to Myrell next to her.

“Tell everyone to go on and get started on the supplies. We’ll be right there,” she whispered.

Myrell directed the team out, except for Morse who Dani kept with her. She caught Garret’s gaze as she slipped by himbut refused to say a word. As the rest of her team headed for the supply room to start transferring everything off the ship, she and Morse turned for the engine room.

“Where are you going?” Garret said.

Dani looked back and saw Garret following behind them. “Morse left some tools in the engine room. I’m going to help retrieve them.”

He studied her closely, but she refused to break. “I’m sorry about what happened. With the vrisha,” he said.

She stared up at him, uncertain what he expected her to say.

Saul called to him from somewhere nearby, but he didn’t move. “Can I call you later?”

She badly wanted to say no. But better to be on security’s good side for the time being. “Maybe,” was the best answer she could give.

Before he could argue whether “maybe” actually meant “no,” Saul called to him again. “You know where to find me. Call up to security any time if you need anything.”

As he disappeared, she tugged at Morse’s sleeve and turned back for the engine room.

Inside it was dark save for a low red light. “Kryxis?” she called. They didn’t see him at first, and anxiety took hold of her.

Oh, gods, did he get hurt after all? Did the hatch open and he got blown out into space?

She went to call for him again when Morse let out a shout in surprise, looking up at the ceiling.

Kryxis was there in one corner, holding onto a thick set of metal wires. He grinned at her then dropped down. Morse instinctively backed away, but she didn’t move as Kryxis lurched over to her.

He towered next to her, the muscles in his arms flexing. Her stomach flipped just at the sight. She didn’t think she’d ever get used to his size.

“Ride wasn’t too bumpy, was it?” she asked while moving her hand up and down like a ship on a wave.

“Niset, isseret,” he said.

He certainly didn’t look scared. In fact, there was a spark in his gaze as if he’d actually enjoyed it.

His gaze turned to Morse, who appeared rigid, the fur on the back of his neck standing on end.

“It’s okay, Morse,” Dani said, softly. “He won’t hurt you.”

“I’ll take your word for it,” he mumbled. “He’d just better not break anything else.”

Kryxis stepped toward him, and Morse let out a soft growl in warning. Kryxis hardly reacted, pointing over to the ship’s power supply. “Lichar mi nak vi las ituras min nara iss.” When Morse shook his head, not understanding, Kryxis chose his next words carefully.

“My…bad.”

Dani couldn’t suppress her smile. “I think he’s trying to say he’s sorry.”

Morse grumbled next to her. “Great.”

“And he won’t do it again, right?” She glared at him.

Kryxis wouldn’t meet her gaze, and she sighed.

“Follow us,” she ordered. “And no messing around. If you get caught, it’s not just us who’ll get in trouble.”

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