Page 8 of Wayfinder
Jala and her brother shared a glance brimming with sibling shorthand before she turned to me with a smile. “I will escort you to the docking bay if you are ready.”
I slung the satchel over my shoulder and followed Jala, stopping long enough to say farewell to Deema and Aqsa and issue last-minute instructions.
The spiral design of the space station encompassed seven floors. The Baron’s suite and the kitchen were on the fifth floor, and the docking bay took up the entire second floor. Jala and Jutuk sandwiched me between them as we descended the walkway toward the open-air lift that would carry us to the transport.
It wasn’t hard to notice the respect Jala commanded. Crowds parted for her, issuing small bows and other gestures of admiration as we passed. Jutuk watched the proceedings with no small amount of sibling pride. It was apparent he adored his sister. Maybe he wasn’t such a bad guy.
He certainly took his protective duties seriously, staying close to my side, the hovering near-touch of his hand at the small of my back. Heat rolled off his body like a small radiator, and his scent reminded me of an exotic Moroccan spice blend and ocean air.
After Donovan, I made it a point to stay away from gorgeous men save for the occasional one-night stand. I lost my head too easily to a pretty pair of eyes and a great ass... especially if the guy could cook. I couldn’t deny Jutuk was hot... otherworldly hot. And I couldn’t deny the faint tingle, like static electricity, that shot sparks along my spine every time his hand brushed my back.
Stop it, Pearl.
The guy was only here to protect me through the competition and get me back to my friends.
Jala led us to an open-air elevator that carried us three levels down to the docking bay within a manner of seconds. The space was massive, reminding me of Hartfield Jackson airport on the day after Christmas.
We navigated through the bustling crowd of diverse creatures and futuristic machinery, our destination a towering silver spaceship near the center. Its size dwarfed the ship that had brought me to this foreign place, reminding me more of a grand cruise ship with at least three sprawling floors. The metallic exterior gleamed in the artificial light, giving off an air of luxury and advanced technology, both intimidating and mesmerizing all at once.
Bringing us to within a few feet of the ramp, Jala paused and turned to face us. She smiled, but I noticed the worry making her gold eyes darker.
“I will leave you here. Good luck, human Pearl.” She laid a hand on her brother’s bicep while her other hand clasped minetightly. “Be safe. Trust no one but each other.” With that, Jala turned on her heel and gracefully departed.
“Are you ready?” Jutuk asked in a rumble near my ear.
I nodded; my mouth suddenly too dry to speak.
Gently, in a touch so light it almost tickled, Jutuk closed his fingers around my upper arm and guided me onto the ship.
It wasn’t what I expected. The space kept with the facade of a luxurious cruise ship. Glossy, wood-like paneling lined the walls, and soft carpet cushioned my every step. As we reached the end of the hallway, the space suddenly opened up into a grand room with an impressive atrium. My eyes roamed over the lavish furnishings and sparkling chandeliers, taking in every detail of the opulent space.
“Greetings, human Chef Pearl, and Vaktaire warrior.”
The voice came from all around, pleasant but definitely robotic.
“Hello?” I ventured while Jutuk scowled.
“I am the ship’s AI. If you will follow me to the common room, please.”
A flash of blue light indicated the way along the floor. Jutuk’s grip tightened on my arm, and his scowl deepened.
“Are you okay?” I hissed as we followed the lights.
“I’m not fond of ships run by AI. There is no privacy,” he murmured, keeping his voice low as though not to offend the neural network in question.
We trailed the shimmering blue lights to the far end of the grand chamber, where we turned left and passed through a set of ornately carved double doors. Beyond them lay an expansive dining room, its atmosphere exuding elegance and charm. Strategically placed round tables, adorned with crisp white linens and glistening silverware, dotted the polished stone floor. At the far end of the room, a small dais stood prominently against the wall. The soft glow from crystal chandeliers overheadbathed everything in a warm, inviting light, casting delicate shadows that danced along the walls.
Jutuk pulled me to a stop as we entered, allowing time for us to survey the other occupants as they surveyed us.
I recognized the lone creature standing on the dais from the Baron’s home. Tall, and frog-like, with small dark eyes atop his head. Deep purple robes draped his frame, and from the way he held himself, the creature tried to appear regal. Didn’t work. Chancellor Qaimus was a smarmy bastard with an equally smarmy wife. Thank goodness I didn’t notice her lurking about.
“Welcome, welcome, please join us.” The Chancellor gestured us forward as Jutuk purposefully led me to a table in the back, away from the others.
Chancellor Frog frowned at us before continuing. “Welcome to the competition! I am Chancellor Qaimus. I will be the facilitator of this event. Let me introduce our distinguished contestants.”
Qaimus moved to the first table, at which sat a small blue male swathed in yellow robes beside a tall, slender gray alien dressed in the same warrior-type garb as Jutuk, although he didn’t look nearly as impressive.
“Renowned Framaddi chef Rollak and his Romvesian assistant Turiak.”
