Page 66 of Stars in Mist

They looked worried, for Élisa had won all the hearts of the battle-hardened Riders. All five men would go to the ends of the galaxy for her.

‘Can you pinpoint where exactly she was?’ Riv asked.

The AI sent a file to their neural nodes. ‘I can. Please note the exit stamp at Gate 45 showed she used her ID card at the spaceport.’

Riv jolted as he viewed the exit ticket with her name emblazoned. ‘She was leaving the rock?’

‘I suggest you investigate in person while I chat with the AIs about any ships that might have docked at that gate or close by, and see what I can find. Maybe they caught something.’

By this time, the gathered guests had caught on to the fact that all was not well.

Kainan gave Riv a chin nod, and they switched to using their neural nodes to speak.

‘Let’s you and I check the port. Kage, Xion, and Zane keep the guests occupied. Xion, you’re the entertainer among us. Keep them occupied.’

The rest of the Riders nodded.

Kainan and Riv lit out as unobtrusive as possible.

As Riv ran towards their destination, his mind raced with thoughts of Élisa and what might have happened to her.

His unease turned into a full-blown panic attack, and he struggled to breathe. Kainan ran beside him, his expression stoic and determined.

When they arrived at the gate, they found it deserted.

No sign remained of her, and Riv’s heart sank.

They searched the surrounding area, looking for any clues.

After an hour of searching, they found a discarded ID badge with Élisa’s name, torn, crumpled, and tossed in a rubbish holder.

As he stared at it, the Sable Rider’s AI pinged him.

‘Mirage, what d’you have?’ Riv asked, his voice tense.

‘A ship docked here about three hours ago, and I can confirm it’s the unmarked courier ship that she got on. It left the spaceport soon after.’

Riv clenched his jaw. ‘Under coercion? Was she forced onboard?’

‘Nada. I could see no one in the terminal or any crew. She was acting alone.’

The Rider’s mind raced. ‘She left her on her own volition? Why? She gave no indication she would back out of the wedding,’ he murmured.

Kainan sucked his lips. ‘Have you any footage of her entering the ship?’

‘I have something.’ The AI sent more footage to Kainan’s and Riv’s neural nodes.

The groom’s heart started as he saw Élisa.

She wore a dark coat and boots and carried a duffel bag. There was no trace of a wedding dress or any sign that she was heading to her nuptials. Later, he’d find their chamber emptied of all her belongings.

He held his breath as she approached the gate, her footsteps hesitant. As if unsure of herself.

She took one final look, glancing straight into the camera.

Her lilac eyes shimmered.With tears?

Riv couldn’t be sure.

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