Page 35 of Crush
“It’s Dorn. He came to me and said he would make sure I don’t have to go back to Earth if I help communicate with the rock until he can sell it at the Luster.”
Teq let out a warning rumble. “He does not have that right.”
“I know that, and he knows that. But how much does it matter?” She hunched her shoulders when Teq let out another rumble. “Listen, I know a con when I smell one. I pretended to go along with him, but I knew he wouldn’t deliver what he’s promising.”
Teq stared at her, his antennae stiff with fury. “And you think I’ll keep you after what you’ve done?”
She stiffened too. “No. But I don’t want…” She shook her head. “It doesn’t matter what I want. You going to hear me out or not?”
Adeline had never tried to lie to him so he wasn’t sure if he would know what it looked like, but this other Earther female stood glaring at him as if his doubts offended her. He wished he’d listened to his own doubts. “How does he intend to get the rock?”
She shrugged, and this Earther gesture he thought he was finally starting to learn. “He didn’t tell me the good parts,” she said, her tone aggrieved. “But he knew he’d have to act fast before I get kicked off. Except…he never called.”
Teq considered. “He has a primary position on this ship, which gives him access to almost all the important systems. And the sleep cycle is when there are fewest around to observe him.” Unless more of the orcs agreed with Dorn than with Mag and had decided to follow the assay. “But once Mag summons the IDA transport, you and Adeline could be gone any time, so he should’ve come for…” His whole body seized, rejecting the next thought.
But he and Kinsley said at the same time, “Oliver.”
He was out the door many strides before her, not caring that he left her alone in his private place. He didn’t have anything of value there. No, everything he wanted was leaving…
He raced back toward Adeline’s quarters, checking his datpad as he pounded down the corridor. Vug, the internal scanners were offline. Dorn’s work, undoubtedly. Teq swallowed a roar of outrage. He couldn’t make a sound, couldn’t risk using comms to contact Mag or security, not knowing who might be following Dorn or if the orc might be monitory security channels.
Fury and fear raged through him, giving him a burst of speed and strength, and still he almost went to his knees when he saw Adeline’s door standing open.
“Adeline!” he called in a hoarse voice. “Oliver?”
No one answered. This was how it would be for the rest of forever: no answer.
But he scented her, felt her heat. He ricocheted through the living room to the larger bedroom.
She was sprawled, not on the nest bed as he’d left her in the passionate abandon of release the last time he’d been here, but crumpled on the floor.
“Adeline?” He flung himself down beside her, reaching for her, then paused, suddenly afraid.
A moan, not pleasure but pain, rippled his antennae like the most vicious explosion. Forcing himself to go slow and gentle, he brushed aside the curls of hair tangled around her face, not wanting to move her for fear of doing some further damage. But at his touch, she rolled of her own volition, the dark fringe of her lashes fluttering. She groaned again, one arm flinging out weakly, as if to grab hold—or ward off.
His focus locked on the heat beneath the skin of her cheek. Not the shy blushes that so transfixed him, but a spreading bruise as from a heavy blow.
Her dazed gaze narrowed on him, and for a dreadful heartbeat, he thought she would flinch as she had when she had first come aboard. Instead, she clutched at his hand. “Teq… Dorn broke in, attacked me. Ollie was here with me…” Her grip on his hand nearly shattered his control. “Where is my son?”
Kinsley rushed into the bedroom doorway. “He’s not in his room, nowhere in the apartment. What do we—?” Abruptly, she staggered, as if she too had been hit, and her face blanched a paler shade. “Dark… So dark and cold.”
Adeline grabbed Teq’s arm, hauling herself upright. “Kinsley, are you talking to the rock?”
“Ican’t talk toit, but it’s saying…” The Earther woman swayed again, clutching for the door frame. Sized for an orc, the gap made her look frail. “It’s afraid. Someone wants to hurt it—and Ollie.” She pressed the palms of her hands over her eyes. “It can’tsee, but…I don’t think they are in the processing bay anymore.”
Teq considered quickly. “Dorn wouldn’t move the rock if he intended on staying on the ship.” And commandeering theDeepWander. “He’s probably heading for one of the shuttles.”
“No. Teq, please. They can’t leave.” With leverage against his weight, Adeline pulled herself all the way to her feet. “We have to stop them.”
“They aren’t going anywhere.” Steadying her but not letting go, he checked his datpad again, sending out a passive query so as not to trigger any alarms. “Kinsley, I need you to find Sil, fast and quiet. Tell him what’s happening.” Dorn might have sympathizers close to Mag. I’m going to disable some of the ship’s systems to keep them from escaping, so you’ll need a light for your eyes.”
“Oliver’s flashlight.” Adeline stumbled to the storage cube beside the nest. “He left his adventure backpack…”
“He didn’t leave anything,” Teq said resolutely. “He’s still here.”
When Adeline handed over the Earther light device, Kinsley clutched it to her chest. “I won’t let you down, I promise.” She spun around and raced off.
“She can’t let us down,” Teq said. “We’re floating in space.”
