Page 32 of Pact with the Alien Devil

I understood the implications immediately. “If he sells them the rest of this intel, the Fangs’ operations on Thodos Station will collapse. Our rivals will pick us apart. And they’ll have technology that pinpoints Vinduthi weaknesses.”

“And what about me?” Iria spun in her chair, her face inches from mine. “He’s painting me as the traitor! You think the Spikeswill stop at ruining your syndicate? The Fangs will come after me, too.”

Her fear struck me – not for herself, but that I might believe these lies. That I might turn on her.

I met her anger with something I rarely offered: reassurance. “They won’t touch you. I’ll make sure of it.”

Iria studied my face, looking for deceit. Finding none, she nodded once and turned back to the console.

“Looks like Miggs has a meeting scheduled.” She pointed at a time and location. “The Red Nebula, tomorrow night. Some kind of black-market auction.”

“That high-end club in the decommissioned docking ring?” I raised an eyebrow. “Interesting choice.”

“It’s the perfect cover,” Iria explained. “The Red Nebula is the only upscale establishment in the old Ring—a glittering oasis in the middle of abandoned docking bays and storage facilities. Rich thrill-seekers get the excitement of venturing into the ‘dangerous’ part of the station, but with private security ensuring they never face actual risk.”

“And station security barely monitors that section anymore,” I noted.

“Which makes it perfect for illegal auctions,” Iria countered. “The old maintenance tunnels, derelict docking bays, abandoned storage areas—plenty of places to hide contraband and conduct business away from prying eyes.”

“You know the area well?”

She nodded. “Most smugglers do. When the station expanded its new commercial docking facilities five years ago, they left the old Ring to rot. Perfect for off-registry landings and quick transfers when you don’t want to file flight plans.”

My instinct was to refuse her help – I worked alone, made my own plans. But…

“Fine,” I conceded. “Your setup, my execution.”

Iria nodded, satisfied. She started pulling up maps of the Ring. “We’ll need to be subtle.

She laid out a basic approach, highlighting entry points and potential escape routes. Her plan was solid – better than I expected from a smuggler used to working alone. But as she shut down the decryption program, I noticed her hands trembling slightly.

For all her bravado, she was frightened. Not that I blamed her. The Black Spikes had a reputation for making examples of those who crossed them.

I stepped closer without thinking. “You’re scared.”

Her head snapped up, eyes flashing. “Of course I’m scared! You think I want to spend the rest of my life running from the Black Spikes? Or worse, end up dead because of something I didn’t do?”

There was more vulnerability in that outburst than I’d heard from her before. More truth.

I hesitated, then placed my hand on her shoulder. The gesture felt strange, foreign. When was the last time I’d touched someone with anything but violence? “You’re not running. Not from them. Not from me.”

Her eyes softened and for once, she didn’t pull away from my touch, didn’t throw up those walls she kept so carefully maintained.

My hand lingered longer than it should have. Her skin was warm under my palm. Her pulse quickened – I could hear it. I craved putting my lips against the flutter at her throat.

Iria turned to face me fully, her breath catching. My hand slid from her shoulder to her neck, fingers brushing the soft skin beneath her ear.

“You’re stronger than you think, Iria.”

Her lips parted slightly. “You don’t know me.”

The words held no heat, no challenge. Just a quiet truth.

“I know enough,” I said.

I leaned down slowly, giving her every chance to pull away, to come to her senses. She didn’t. Instead, she raised herself on her toes to meet me halfway.

The kiss surprised me with its softness. Different from our earlier rushed collision, this was deliberate. Her lips sought mine with purpose, with intent. The taste of her – spice and something uniquely human – sent heat through my body.

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