Page 26 of Choosing Jenny
When we broke atmo on Halla, I was still steaming. I called ahead to Jac, who said they would be ready for our arrival and there was no need to go through the city gates. We landed directly in front of Sarah’s manor at the edge of the city.
Buttery yellow in the sunslight, the manor was a dim gray at night. But the blue vines that climbed its sides looked like black misshapen stripes, and the shiny silver solar catch roof reflected the moonslight. When we disembarked, the air smelled of flowers.
Jenny inhaled deeply and smiled. “I’m glad to be here as myself again.”
Sam blinked at her. “What do you mean?”
Jenny grinned. “I was mogged into a Ladrian last time.”
“Oh right, I forgot,” Sam said. “Surge?”
The shorter man cocked his head up at her. “Yes?”
Sam bit her bottom lip as we walked toward the manor as a group. “What are these people like? I’m a little nervous.”
“I couldn’t tell you,” he said, though he gave her an encouraging smile. “I mean, I know Deacon Ladrang by reputation, but that’s pretty much it, and he’s allegedly a good man.”
“Don’t let him lie to you,” Jac called out as he strolled from the entryway of the manor. “Deacon’s an asshole.”
Deacon followed him out. “So is Jacaranda Cozz. You can’t trust anyone here.”
Sam and Surge looked confused, but I laughed and hurried to greet Jac, who pulled me into a hug. He looked tired, but happy. Deacon, on the other hand, was looking worse for wear. Taller than even Longshot, in the ship’s lights I could see his tan had faded. H his hazel eyes were bagged and he looked haggard. I was surprised his gray hair was as long as it was. Not shaggy by any means, but the longest and most unkempt I’d ever seen on him.
Hopefully not a barometer for Sarah’s condition.
I gave him a quick hug next and I felt it. The tension in his spine and the stiff way he patted my back.
“Deacon, you good?” I asked, concerned.
“Yeah.” He sighed heavily. “Just nice to see a familiar face around here.”
“What’s going on?” I asked.
“Since we’ve made improvements to Sorellamore, more of Halla’s displaced residents have come to relocate here.”
“Makes sense,” I said, though I could understand how that would put extra pressure on him and Jac. I made theintroductions. “Uh, you know Malice and Jenny, of course. This is Surge Footwick, Sam Riggins, Discord Scrylock, and—”
“I know Longshot Griel,” he abruptly interrupted me, which was peculiar for Deacon, but his focus narrowed on the other man. “Is there a reason you brought a sniper to my home?”
Longshot lifted up his hands. “I assure you, Deacon, I am not here for a job.”
Deacon folded his arms, standing proud. “I’m clearly aware that snipers don’t kill when they are in plain sight. Why are you here?”
“There is a lot to talk about, Deacon,” Jenny interjected smoothly. “Can we come in, or are we going to argue outside all night?”
He released a long breath, before he whispered in Jac’s ear.
Jac then turned to us. “The strigella stays on your ship.”
Jenny straightened in defense of Rhonda. “She saved and protected my life, Jac. I feel safer with her around.”
Jac arched an eyebrow. “Saved your life?”
“Like I said, we have a lot to talk about,” she said evenly. “But Rhonda won’t hurt anyone.”
“All the same,” he said, his voice softer now, but his words still firm, “Our consort,your sister, is pregnant. You can understand why we don’t want a deadly creature near her.”
Jenny braced her hands on her hips, giving him a pointed look. “That ‘deadly creature’ will keep her safe, Jac.”
