Page 84 of Sky Song
There was no sound, just a barely perceptible sharpening of Ren’s eyes and Cricket’s spine tingling. And there he was, sliding at the table, black eyes merry and mischievous.
“I’m late. Very sorry about that. Ran into an obstacle at the door.” The midnight eyes swept around before settling on Cricket - she felt the weight of his regard. She felt it when it moved away to continue its constant vigilant sweep.
“By the way, this club has strict rules against bloodshed,” Ren said in an easy, perfect Universal.
Lyle failed to respond.
Ren sat forward. “Is Mark dead?”
Lyle let out a long-suffering exhale through his slitted nostrils. “Mark wanted to search me and he took his time. He must love his job very much. Must you think badly of me when you don’t even know me?”
Ren’s shoulders relaxed and he settled into his chair. “I wouldn't think badly of anyone wanting to beat the crap out of Mark.”
Lyle didn’t acknowledge the remark. He appeared to pay Ren only half of his attention, with the other half directed at a cluster of burly men that congregated at the edge of the dance floor. Lo and behold, Gus was a part of the group as was his one-eared Tarai friend. The group was minding their testosterone-infused business, but they were aware of Lyle’s presence.
Cricket shifted in her chair but failed to make herself comfortable. “Can we talk about the files and be on our way?”
Ren patted his pockets. “Oh, yes, the files. Cool stuff, cool stuff.”
Cricket could just imagine. The bunions looked rad in those articles.
Ren turned to Lyle. “How are you going to pay us?”
“You want to get paid with money?”
Ren and Paloma laughed together. “That would not be a terrible idea.” Ren leaned back in his chair, assessing Lyle shrewdly.
It was frustrating that Ren had spent time deciphering the bunions. But naturally, useless content was not his problem, and he expected to be paid for his work. Cricket cleared her throat. “How much are you asking, Ren?” She wasn’t knowledgeable about the current hacker rates.
Ren ignored her, and so did Lyle. Between them, a wordless communication channel seemed to have opened. They were assessing each other, weighing decisions. A fresh wave of bad feeling washed over her skin, stiffening her neck.
The smell of pungent cologne intruded, and turning her head ever so slightly, Cricket identified the source of the smell and the bad feeling. The pugnacious trio in tight shirts was upon them. The earless Tarai and another man stopped in front of Lyle with Gus hanging back, giving Cricket a hairy eyeball and thinking, no doubt, about the beer bath.
“You’re back.” The Tarai positively leered at Lyle. “Makes me think you want attention.”
Paloma was suddenly interested in a napkin in front of her. Ren hadn’t changed his relaxed sprawl.
“Buzz off, insects,” Cricket said loudly.
“Hey, his mom is back, too. Do you take her with you everywhere you go?” Annoyingly, the Tarai wasn’t addressing her directly but speaking to Lyle.
“Why don’t you go away and stay lost forever? We have no business with you.”
He still wouldn’t acknowledge her. “Mom says you can’t come out and play. Are you grounded for not eating your vegetables?” They sniggered most irritatingly and stomped their booted feet.
Lyle appeared to give his inane words consideration. “You pay out right away?”
“Soon as you quit the ropes. We’ll start you small.”
Lyle’s all-encompassing gaze took in the whole room and all in it, concatenating them into a focus point only he could see. “It’s got to be a full purse to make it worth my time.”
It was the Tarai’s turn to pause. His eyes narrowed as he regarded Lyle intently. “Is that so? Then we can put you against Dainty Red. You think you’re tall enough to bite his ankles?”
“Three full rounds, guaranteed.”
The men broke into pleased chuckles, and Ren said, “Buy the ticket, take the ride.” A flicker of admiration shone briefly in Ren’s human eyes, momentarily transforming them into something foreign andalien.
The rapidly unfolding development was confusing Cricket, but she firmly knew she couldn’t approve of it, whatever it was.
