Page 142 of Seven Oars
He cocked his head.“What hurts inside?”
Oh, how to explain emotions to someone who didn’t have any?
“Wanting things one can’t have.”
“You’re afraid,” he stated flatly.
Rosamma buried her face in her hands, overcome by feelings she couldn’t define.
“I am so tired of being scared,” she moaned into her hands.“Yes, I’m so afraid of you.”
But not because he could kill her with one sweep.
His power over her had changed.
Slowly, he rose to his feet, towering over her small frame slumped by the window.
“Work on your fear,” he said from above her head, totally serious.“You’re human, and maybe that explains your blindness. Your weakness feeds my strength.”
She gazed at the stars and thought about what he said for a long time after he’d left the Dome.
Chapter 20
The following day, a hush fell over the station.
No music, no voices, no slamming of fists. Just theoars—a coughing one in the Cargo Hold; a gently grinding one in the Habitat; a rattling one under the Bridge.
The reason for the hush became clear when Anske returned to the Cargo Hold: Thilza had temporarily shaken off his stupor and dragged everyone not on duty to the Engine Room with him.
Phex too. There were lots of dirty, difficult tasks to complete, and every pirate envisioned him doing their task.
They were like feral children, Rosamma mused. They actively shied away from proving themselves in anything useful. All they wanted to do was fight, make merry, and never take a bath.
Anske complained about Thilza taking Galan away from their lessons.
“We’ve just started on hymns.” She looked crestfallen.“But he needs constant reinforcement. It’s hard for an alien to remember the words. By the time he comes back, we might as well start over.”
Gro gave her a bored look.“Is this another way of saying he’s not very bright?”
“Bright is a relative term,” Anske countered primly.“He absorbs my wisdom.”
Eze snickered.
“You know what?” Anske put her hand in the air.“I’m glad I don’t have to stay in Cargo Hold anymore. You two are no fun to be around for five minutes, let alone weeks. Your sarcasm has tainted your soul.”
Gro rolled her eyes.“That’s what I told my toilet. Only got a shit response.”
“How juvenile.” Anske shook her head and focused on Eze.“And you? You’re a damaged person, Eze. Unfulfilled.”
“Huh?” Eze perked up.
“You have low self-worth.”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake. How so?”
“Having a clouded, closed mind is unloving to yourself.”
“Go away with your religion, Comrade Anske,” Eze said.“Leave us alone.”
