Page 29 of Stars At Dusk

Harlow was overwhelmed with a rush of feelings. Although impressed by the science, it wasn’t the technology that got to her. Instead, she felt like she’d just witnessed a profoundly private moment. One that screamed of care and genuine filial love. She’d never had that and suddenly knew she’d missed a lifetime of beauty.

She looked away, blinking, missing Zane and Kage’s shared look of concern. Zane gave his soul brother a meaningful nod and prowled away, leaving the pair alone.

She felt a gentle tap on her forearm. Kage. She tipped her face up to him and caught his gaze, his expression soft, caring.

‘Looking sad there, Harlow.’

Nonplussed, she reclaimed her space by moving back and forcing a smile. ‘It’s nothing.’

His eyes narrowed at her bait and switch. ‘Can’t see a sad face and not do something about it.’

She kept her eyes on the horizon. ‘Nothing to do here, Kage,’ she insisted. ‘I’m fine.’

His lips curled, noting her caginess. ‘OK. I’ll let it go,kara. For now.’

She switched on her well-practised bubbly facade and flashed a smile at him. ‘So show me this amazing apartment I’ll be staying in.’

‘Follow me,’ he said, twitching his lips. Yet his expression was pensive. She realised very little escaped the Edenite’s attention. She’d need to get better at masking around him.

He moved quickly to gather her bags, and then at Kage’s command, the flyer flew off to park itself. Somewhere under the building, she assumed.

Kage led her to the simple door Zane had exited from. It led into a glass-walled corridor where one side ran along the glassed-in back wall of the dealership. The other wall led to a bank of lift doors.

Kage stepped with her inside one.

He gave her a long look. ‘Remember our first lift ride?’

‘How could I forget it? I had a hangry beast with me. Dunia knows I was scared for my life.’

He roared with laughter. That’s when she realised Kage was, at heart, a carefree man. She hadn’t been around many men like that. It was refreshing and downright irresistible, and she suddenly yearned to be as nonchalant as he was.

The lift doors opened to a marble stone reception area with oak timber floors. Beyond was an expansive apartment with elegant furniture, high-end appliances, prestige tapware, soft lighting and through the large glass sliding doors, an outdoor patio with natural grass that looked manicured and landscaped.

She stepped into the space and whirled around, trying to take it all in, from the spacious, clean, and well-lit vibe to the modern and stylish design. Harlow was excited to enjoy the pure, pristine surfaces, fresh air, and natural light flowing through the large floor-to-ceiling windows. It felt quiet and peaceful, with a sense of calm and tranquillity.

‘Zane wasn’t exaggerating. This is beautiful.’

‘And it’s just a stone’s throw from the centre of the metro dome. Plus, it’s a five-minute walk to boutiques, restaurants and cafes,’ Kage told her. ‘But you won’t need to worry about food tonight. We’ve stocked the fridge, and there’s also a selection of freshly made meals in the food warmer.’

He stalked into the beautifully appointed kitchen. She followed close behind, her tummy starting to rumble as her nose drew in sensational smells.

Kage pulled out the warmer drawer that sat above the kitchen counter. On the shelves, Harlow saw slices of beautifully pink smoked salmon artfully arranged on a board alongside carved lemons, rich butter, tiny steamed buns and slices of fresh vegetables. Next was a platter of fried chicken coated in a rich, tangy sauce. Below was a bowl of sauce-laden spiral pasta and a tossed salad, and she sighed at the sight of a warm fruit pie bubbling with caramel and butter. Alongside the dinner was a box of delicious-looking pastries.

‘For real? This is beyond, Kage,’ she breathed. ‘It looks so delicious. Who made this? Do you have an in-house chef? Or did you get this just delivered?’

He shrugged. ‘First taste it, then I might clue you in.’

She reached a finger out to nab a sliver of pie, popping it into her mouth. He playfully swatted her hand away. ‘After I’ve gone. Soon.’

She laughed and licked her fingers. His eyes lingered on her mouth before flicking away. He turned to gesture to where a comm tab lay on the counter.

‘The apartment has unhindered access to Sysnet. If you need anything, our bots or delivery drones can be buzzed using this comm tab. They’ll know where you are and deliver your shopping or whatever you order to these landing platforms. You also have a secure comm channel, and I’ve added my comm details to the call list, plus a second security number in case you can’t reach me. It patches directly to Xion, my fellow Rider brother, who heads internal security for all our facilities. Also, if you’re OK with this, I’ll have Mirage, our AI, keep tabs on you via your wrist comm. She won’t violate your privacy, only keep an eye on any unusual activity, so we can keep you safe. And if she’s concerned, she’ll comm you first for permission. We need to have these safety protocols given the importance of your work. That work for you?’

Harlow considered his words. ‘It should be fine, as long as it’s safety-related only.’

‘Of course. Happy for you to meet with Mirage and agree to the settings yourself.’

‘Might do that.’

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