Page 59 of Tanin's Treasure
A warm hand slipped into hers and she turned, already smiling when she caught sight of Tanin’s impassive face.
“Stay close,” he ordered, pulling her back to his side. “It would be too easy to lose you here.”
Garnet chuckled, lacing her fingers with his. “Sorry. I got excited.”
Goldie, who remained firmly at Trove’s side, smiled back at her.
“Don’t worry about it, little lady,” Trove grinned at her before pointing up. “Sorbet and Tebros came with us. They’re keeping watch from above. If one of you wanders away, they’ll be able to keep up and intercept before you get too far.”
Garnet followed his finger, but she didn’t see anything. In fact, she didn’t remember even seeing the twins when they were leaving the Humility. How long had they been following them?
“It’s their job,” Tanin said, answering her unspoken question and catching her attention. “They’re good at blending in and not being seen. They will follow me or Rok whenever we’re picking up or delivering things. If we’re in trouble, they’ll be able to interfere before anyone knows they’re there.”
“You? In trouble?” She repeated, grinning.
“It could happen.”
“Has it ever?”
“We’re getting off topic. Come on. My contact has a stall this way.”
Garnet grinned, following after as he pulled on her hand. The two of them led the way, Goldie trailing behind, Trove bringing up the rear. A neat little pod meant to make sure that neither Garnet nor Goldie were left behind.
And since Tanin kept hold of Garnet’s hand, she was free to let her attention wander as it liked. She couldn’t look at everything fast enough. The people, the stalls, the wares. Somewhere, music was playing. An abundance of smells were assaulting her from all sides. Every sense was overwhelmed by the sheer amount of stimulation. It was winding her up, getting her more excited. She wanted to just run and look at it all.
But Tanin’s grip on her was secure and unmoving. If she became distracted, he’d pull on her gently and she’d come right back to his side. She gave him a brief smile of thanks for keeping her from getting separated, before going right back to being distracted again.
His patience in dealing with her was astounding. He didn’t once complain, no matter how many times he re-directed her.
She had no idea where they were going, and after a few turns, she also had no idea where they’d come from. Tanin seemed to know this place well, however, because his footsteps were unerring as he took them deeper and deeper into the station. At various points, she realized that there were stalls on massive stairs that were leading up or down to different levels. There wasmoreto this place.
“Hon-Kal is an old station,” Tanin explained when he caught her staring, open mouthed, at one such low step that led up. “It’s quite large and has had generations to grow into this.”
“Is it anything like Rik-Vane?” She asked, the name of his home station coming easily. She really wanted to have that connection to him. This might not have been the station he grew up in, but if it was similar, then she could imagine him here.
“Hon-Kal isn’t anything like Rik-Vane,” Tanin said simply, but he didn’t elaborate. Instead, he pointed ahead. “That’s the stall that will be buying the gems we brought.”
Garnet, willingly distracted, focused forward. It wasn’t hard to spot the stall in question. It was built on a corner, right beside a set of wide stairs that led down. The kind of steps that would require three strides to cross, more than big enough for a small stall. But the stall Tanin indicated to wasn’t small at all. It was also heavily protected. All the shining, glimmering wares were behind locked glass that was being wiped down by a female with a half-shaved head, green skin, and a stern glare.
Until she looked up and spotted Tanin. Then, she smiled warmly, with familiarity.
And Garnet’s chest twisted with an ugly, wretched sort of feeling.
“Tanin!” The female called out, tossing the rag over her shoulder. “You’re certainly a welcome sight. How’ve you been?”
“Cora.” He greeted her as they all came to a halt at her stall, under the canopy she had hanging up over what was quite obviously her territory. “I’ve been well. And you?”
“Can’t complain.” She grinned before her eyes turned. “Trove. Handsome, as always. You’re still following Tanin around, I see.”
“It’s only ‘cause he keeps feeding me,” Trove chuckled.
“I’ll remember to set out treats for you tonight. And who are these charming morsels?” She finally turned her gaze to Garnet and Goldie, eyes darting between them curiously. “Humans? Tanin, I didn’t know your tastes went to such things. Aren’t they too delicate for you? Last I recall, you were a bit rough for someone like them.”
“Trove. The bag,” Tanin said instead of answering.
Garnet tried to pull her hand back. Not really liking this conversation. Or this female. She didn’t recognize her species, but Cora knew Tanin and Trove. Close enough that she could greet them by name. She could joke with them.
But Garnet didn’t get the chance to escape. Tanin’s grip tightened, keeping her hand in his. Though his expression didn’t change, and all his apparent attention was on the three gemstones that Trove set on the glass counter, she had no doubt that he knew what she just tried to do. And he wasn’t going to let her get away.
