Page 35 of Hijack!
“At least there should be warning buoys placed around it,” Griiek said. “Maybe we could bounce a basic rescue signal, even if our external comms are still inoperative.”
The pilot grimaced. “Unfortunately, if we continue on this course at this speed, even before we reach the null cloud, we’ll be crossing into the Zarnox Zone. That sector is not maintained by any intergalactic authorities.”
The zone was notorious for harboring criminals, fugitives, zealots, and various malcontents precisely because the cosmological dangers made it a region not worth civilizing. And the distortion was forcing this ship of would-be lovers right to the heart of the worst of it.
When he’d promised himself this would be his only sunset cruise, he hadn’t meant it with such finality.
“We need to isolate the distortion from our systems and regain control of the ship before we enter the zone.” Ellix looked at each of them in turn. “You have your tasks.”
The crew scattered. Leaving him alone on the bridge.
Except for Felicity.
He did not need to be noticing they were alone together. Something, something, saving the ship…
Standing near the forward screen, which was not very helpfully showcasing the distant star-streaked visage of their headlong rush into the dangerous unknown, she looked small against the darkness. His claws pricked his own skin, like a punishment that he wasn’t holding her, keeping her safe against that empty enormity.
She was absorbed in her datpad—or so she seemed. As the silence settled, her head bent lower, as if she were hoping to be absorbed into the little device.
“Felicity.”
She didn’t look up. “Yes, Captain?”
“Come here.” He hadn’t meant for the words to sound like a growl—or a command.
But they did.
Her head snapped up hard enough to endanger the structural integrity of her shiny hair twist, and her eyes shone even harder—with anger.
He blinked once in surprise. He had not suspected his little Earther could even be angry.
Hislittle Earther…
Even as he mused onthatrealization, she was stalking toward him. She tossed her datpad on his chair. The better to make her hands into fists. Aye, very angry.
“Don’t tell me what to do,” she said through gritted teeth.
He looked down at her. “I’m your captain?”
“That wasn’t a captain’s order.”
Since she was right, he couldn’t exactly accuse her of insubordination. Although she did look mutinous.
His own paws flexed, wanting to reach for her. But he didn’t move. Because she was also right to be angry at him. “I’ve hurt your feelings,” he said. “And I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine.” Her lips drew together—sadly not into a kissing shape but like she’d swallowed one of the synthequers gone bitter. “Whatever you’re sorry about, if you feel bad about me, that’s a terrible way to finally feel your feelings.”
He rumbled deep in his throat. “I have always had feelings.”
For you.
He didn’t say it because it sounded like a lie. They’d only been in proximity a handful of times before the launch, and one night of chaos didn’t count as a date.
Did it?
Not that it mattered, considering the aforementioned chaos. But from the moment he’d caught her scent, he’d wanted her. Nay, he was lying to himself this time. Not just wanting her,wanting to give himself to her. All this time, all these lightyears he’d traveled, only to encounter her on this silly, disastrous cruise.
“When I told Griiek I’d suffered a passing weakness, you thought I meant you.” To his dismay, his whiskers quivered. “But I meant only myself.”
