Page 147 of Stars in Umbra
‘A holo feed just came in from our perimeter scan. I’ve spotted increased movement at the southern service wing. Temporary structures are being raised. Catering teams areinbound. A series of prominent-profile transport bookings confirmed for private airspace tomorrow night.’
Mo lifted a brow. ‘The guards at the tavern must have been referring to this event.’
Mirage nodded. ‘Naam, the Highland Memorial Ball. Hosted by Thrall every year. It has an elite guest list. Art dealers, antique arms traders, politicians, aristocrats, and a few off-world celebrities with questionable reputations. The theme is Fine Masterpieces and the Hunting, although to be honest, this is Caidan Thrall’s little festival of ego and excess. The attendees wear vintage furs and flaunt century-old blades. You know, blood sport with a side of orchestras and chandeliers.’
Rina exhaled. ‘How about access?’
‘The event is the one night the Estate Security relaxes the shields as guests fly in and out. Surveillance is elevated but scattered. It’s the best shot we’ve got at slipping in and getting evidence of what Thrall is up to. I can provide a fake ID, an entire wardrobe to match, and wearable tech for eavesdropping, all per standard Rider infiltration protocols.’
Mo turned to Rina, his eyes highlighted by the bronze radiance bleeding through the hull windows. ‘You should be the one to go in.’
She blinked. ‘Me?’
‘You’re a stunning woman, trained in incursions, intel recovery, and combat diplomacy. You also can wear the hell out of a dress that turns heads,’ he rasped. ‘I’ll be your unseen backup, I’ll stealth in behind you in armor and always have an eye on you. Mirage can scramble the scanners and run extraction protocols from the ship.’
Rina took an inhale. ‘Makes sense. I’ll do it, for the cause.’
Mirage inclined her head. ‘I’ll glimmer to Eden II. Get what we need. I’ll be back before zero-two-hundred.’
She vanished in a ripple of light.
Silence returned to the Corvette.
The mountain air outside had turned purple-blue with dusk, the ridge lines casting long shadows across the glassy loch below. Rina crossed the deck to where Mo sat.
He looked tired.
More than that, he appeared closed off.
‘What’s wrong?’ she asked.
‘Don’t want you inside with Thrall. From what we know,fokkwhat we think he did to me, he’s a serpent. You going near him is giving me hives.’
She tracked to him and knelt before him, cupping his jaw with both hands and lifting his gaze to hers.
‘We’ve got this, honey,’ she whispered. ‘You’ve got my six, and the second I’m not safe, you’ll come for me, won’t you?’
‘Of course. I still feel like shit about it.’
‘Why don’t I take your mind away from your brooding?’
She muttered the words while leaning in to place a soft, sensual kiss on the edge of his lush lips.
His breath caught.
His embrace came to her hips, then her back, pulling her close as if anchoring himself.
She kissed him, a slow, deep exploration.
Her lips pressed over his with a wordless promise, her fingers threading into the hair at his nape, a gentle tug that made his head fall back.
He exhaled, desire unraveling in him like an uncoiled thread, the sound a ragged groan.
They moved together in silence, their footsteps muffled by the ship’s tranquil hum.
She led him back through the confined corridors of the corvette, into the quarters tucked at the aft end.
The bed was spacious, and they fell into it, reaching for each other.
