Page 11 of Consume
Yeah, they certainly had. It seemed like months ago that Ellison had disappeared into deep space and had uttered one word into her ship’s telecom—sail. It was an old rebel term space soldiers used during the Black War just before they vanished. It meant that they had turned their backs on humanity and had sided with the Saelises. But the more I found out, I doubted they’d turned their backs on anyone but the Byrians for starting the cataclysmic war in the first place. Mase had said it, too, at a different time while aboard theVicious. It made sense that the Byrians had captured them to keep them quiet about all the bad shit that family had done to power their space-bending rings.
“I’m sure the Byrians are looking for you too,” Josh said.
“Just make sure you don’t crash into any banks,” the captain muttered.
“Will they...” I started, but had to try again and again for the words to come out normally, “recognize me?” I touched my fingers to the scales on my face.
Josh hadn’t recognized me, but I’d definitely changed since the last time he’d seen me. I’d just have to make sure I never left this or Parker’s ship again. That should be fun. Either that, or stay close to Poh and her chameleon invisibility skills. If Pop managed to get the Mind-I out of her skull, that is.
“I don’t know,” Josh said. “Also, be wary of anyone who wants to implant a Mind-I in your head without your permission.”
“Absidy.” Captain Glenn looked at me imploringly, his eyes shining much brighter than the titanium caging us in. “Parker is still paying my family’s medical bills.”
Realization flattened my lungs. In exchange for Mase. Parker still expected the trade to be made.
Captain Glenn seemed to read my thoughts from my expression because he gave a somber nod. “I need you to know I’m working tirelessly to break Mase and Ellison out. Parker still wants Mase all to himself, so he’s helping any way he can.”
I shook my head, a violent storm of emotions welling inside me.
He folded his man paw over my scaled hand and squeezed. “I’m not going to hand Mase over, but Parker doesn’t need to know I’m not.”
“Thank...you.”
“He’s my pilot,” he rasped, his mouth twitching into a smile. “He’s...”
So much more, I wanted to finish for him, but I pulled away instead. He was so much more to me, too, and my heart ached for him.
“We’ll have to break Mason and Ellison out of the Byrians’ house ourselves and then be ready to run for it so Parker doesn’t find him,” the captain continued. “They’re alive, Absidy. I know that much because security around the Byrians’ house has tripled since the time they’ve been taken. It’s a very large house, so I don’t know exactly where they’re being kept, but I have floor plans.”
Before he’d even finished, I was half out of my chair and angled toward the door.
“Wait.” Captain Glenn’s hand snatched at mine.
He and Josh exchanged worried glances, seemingly less confident than I was.
Captain Glenn set his wine glass aside and folded his hands on the gurney. “You know my experiences on this ship better than anyone, but I’ve become a bit of an expert myself. Guards barrel out of the front door of that house screaming. Loud banging. Delivery drivers who won’t go near it.” He gave me a meaningful look, so serious that it weighted the air. “That house is haunted, Absidy. I can tell, even though I’ve never stepped foot inside.”
I nodded, feeling his point drive home right between my eyes. Only I could repel ghosts. To get Mase and Ellison, I would have to be the one to rescue them.
