Page 35 of Her Lawless Prince

The land craft hovered over the ground without a roof, completely open to the elements. A woman drove, her clothing fitted tight against her to block the sand. A hood fit against her scalp and covered her ears. A breathing mask encased her nose but left her mouth free. A narrow protective band covered her eyes.

The man with her wore looser clothing, a mask, and eye protectors. His hair blew around his head. If she had to guess, he spent most of his time inside the complex, whereas the driver worked outside. The land craft approached.

“Welcome to Torgan. I am Dock Master Wye,” the man said, his monotone showing little interest in the travelers as if this was just another task to be marked off his work list. “Is the pod for fix or for sale?”

“Sale,” Yevgen answered.

Wye grabbed an electronic clipboard, stepped off the land craft, and went to the pod. He pulled a scanner from his pocket as he went inside. Payton heard him moving around. Soft beeps came from within.

Wye poked his head out. “Luggage too?”

“Yes,” Nyle answered. “It’s all for sale.”

“Very well.” Wye went back inside. More beeps sounded.

“Get on.” The driver motioned toward them.

Yevgen went to the land craft and climbed on. Payton and Nyle followed him. Yevgen reached down for her as Nyle took her hand to help her up.

Wye came toward the craft and joined them. He showed the clipboard to Yevgen. “Fair market value. It is our only offer.

Yevgen nodded. “Accepted. Do you need my signature?”

Nyle’s eyes narrowed. The cyborg should not have volunteered to make a record.

“No need.” Wye dismissed as he pulled a chip from his pocket and set it against the clipboard. “Ship parts do not require documentation.”

The electronic clipboard beeped, and he handed the chip to Yevgen.

“Complete payment. Don’t lose that. No refunds. No replacements.” Wye motioned at the driver to return to the complex.

As they flew toward the compound, a hauler came past them to pick up the pod.

Payton took a deep breath and shaded her eyes as they moved. The shield on the land craft kept the sand from pelting them but did nothing for the wind whipping her hair.

Her eyes met Nyle’s. He nodded in reassurance.

The craft sped them directly to the main complex, where they were dropped by metal steps leading up from the sand to a glass barrier. Nyle took the lead, waving his hand in front of the scanner.

The glass slid open to let them in, quickly shutting behind them. Ventilation turned on, blowing up from the floor to suck the dirt from their bodies. The cold air contrasted with the heat outside. After it finished, a door opened to let them into the complex. Metal grates gave way to concrete beneath her feet.

They came upon a large walkway where ships were docked. A roof closed overhead as a small spaceship came in for a landing. The loud sound of its engines reverberated over her to drown out everything else.

Nyle led the way down a row of parked ships.

“I don’t suppose we can just take one?” Payton mused.

“I don’t think we’d make it very far,” Nyle said.

They passed a group of Corge warriors near an open ship. Black horns protruded from their blue foreheads. She’d met their kind before at the Var palace. The aliens emitted a sickeningly sweet smell that automatically caused Payton to hold her breath as they passed. It was made worse by the sensitivity of her shifter senses.

Payton kept her gaze forward, not making eye contact with any of them.

By the number of ships, the complex would be full. A mix of aliens moved along the center walkway. She could identify several of them, but she had not seen all of them at the Var palace. Some looked mostly human with a variety of protrusions covering their bodies. Others were covered with hair or scales, some both. A Lykan with matted fur gravitated toward her, and she stepped out of his way. He laughed, the gruff sound indicating he’d tried to intimidate her on purpose.

“You all right?” Nyle asked.

Payton nodded, and couldn’t help herself as she answered loudly, “Yeah. Some people need to learn how to use a decontaminator.”

---