Page 37 of Between Earth and Eternity
Instantly, my throat goes tight. A male steward with golden brown skin close to his age follows him.
Must be a personal butler of some sort. Poor bastard.
I swear all the men attempt to stand a little taller, as if they could measure up. I don’t like him, but I have to give credit where credit is due. Vallen is all man, but it’s not his looks alone, he emanates such an air that even if he were the poorest person on Earth, you wouldn’t know it. He draws you in with an intensity that can’t be denied. Even Ori stares at him with wide eyes and, dare I say, looks a little flustered. I don’t think she’s blinked once since he entered the room.
Same. I get it. He issomething. Even Romy sways a little where she stands nervously, but when Vallen gives her a small smile of reassurance, she gives him a smile back before he quickly returns to all business.
“The lucky Lottery winners,” he says, his voice deep and a bit raspy as he looks over the group.
He seems a bit more casual now than on stage, but the intimidation factor is still there. I don’t think there is anything he could do to make him appear vulnerable in any way.
“I can only imagine the whirlwind you all have experienced these past few weeks. Some of you have left loved ones behind, work assignments, a home of one kind or another, but I can attest that your time here will be comfortable, and we are happy to have you on Zenith.”
Like father, like son. Not that I am surprised. All words that sound good, but is there anything real to them?
“I hope your experience will be comfortable, and you’re all in for quite the surprise on Eden. We will discuss the details once we are closer to the end of our journey. For the time being we want you to get settled in and enjoy yourselves.”
I haven’t thought of it at all, actually. I’ve been so consumed with boarding Zenith that it didn’t occur to me to contemplate what would happen at the end of the thirteen-month-long voyage.
“Now, the most important thing I wanted to discuss with you all.”
I shift nervously on my feet, sensing that what’s coming next won’t sit well with me.
“You may find some of your fellow passengers are, shall we say, not particularly thrilled about the idea that you received free passage. So I offer you a word of caution not to do anything that will earn you unwanted attention.”
All the warnings and interrogations start to make sense. Mannox Industries has always had a gift for instilling fear, and as our only option, we obey. Adon’t bite the hand that feeds youkind of relationship. They twisted this meeting to make it seem like we were getting a special audience with a Mannox. But it’s clear we don’t belong here. We all knew that, but this is a nice way of saying to be grateful and keep our heads down.
An aching question is at the tip of my tongue, but I don’t dare open my mouth in fear of screaming in an outrage,Why are you pretending you care?He surely can’t mean his kind words; he merely hopes they’ll save us from causing an improper scene.
Instead, I swear under my breath, consoling my face under my hat, but apparently not discreetly enough. Ori nudges my arm, and I snap my head back up.
Vallen Mannox is looking directly at me.
If looks could kill, I’d be a corpse.
“Did you have something to say? Miss . . .”
Ori’s eyes go wide, and everyone is staring now.
One of the teens whispers, “She did not,” and is shushed loudly by another.
I steal a glance at Runa, and she purses her lips, displeased.
I clear my throat. “Andrews. Skyler Andrews.”
He steps closer. “Miss Andrews, if you have any concerns, please do share.”
I’m shaking where I stand, hoping to god no one notices.
I think I may throw up after all.
Come on, Skyler. Play the game.
Treat him like Kol, minus shoving a hamburger in his face. Just thestanding up to himpart will do, and maybe I’ll get out of this mess I’ve stupidly walked myself into.
I lift my chin a smidge higher to make sure my eyes meet his from under the brim.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Mannox. It’s been a long day.”
