Page 132 of Stars on Fire

‘It’s unlikely. We don’t have space for your particular style of oversized baggage.’

Massimo grinned a mad, chaotic smile that slashed across his leering, desperate visage.

‘Then I’ve no use for you. Maybe the next nobody passing by will be much more cooperative.’

Massimo lifted an arm, pointed the barrel of his gun at Kainan and fired.

But not before the man by Sheba’s side moved so fast that he was a blur. He grabbed her and whisked her across the room.

A second shot rang out, and Massimo’s voluminous gown instantly burst into a red cloud. His hand flew wildly, and the bullet he’d shot went wide.

Selene gasped as Massimo’s body hit the deck floor, twitched and fell still.

Kage’s voice came over the headsets. ‘Man down. His blathering was getting tiring, and he was begging for some lead.’

‘Nice shot, brother,’ Riv commented acerbically. ‘Good to see you can finally aim straight.’

‘Everyone, stay where you are. Mirage, are we clear?’ Kainan asked.

‘Not entirelykhosi, the bridge is secure, but I can’t confirm about the corridors outside. Those strange energy signatures are getting closer to your position. I need time to work out what they are before I’m entirely sure. Don’t want you to walk into an ambush.’

‘Copy. Team, we can move around in here, but please don’t venture outside.’

Selene nodded, relieved she now had permission to walk about. She nabbed Kainan’s arm. ‘You OK after that shot?’

‘I’m fine,khamila;it missed me. See to your sister.’

Selene set off flying, sprinting through the drab cavernous bridge to the top balcony of the strange, lonely deck until she dropped to her knees beside the couple on the floor.

Sheba lifted her hands instinctively to protect herself from the armoured stranger she saw. Selene whipped off her helmet, releasing her curls.

‘Sheba, it’s me,’ she whispered.

Her sister cried out in delight, throwing her arms around Selene.

‘Oh, Dunia, you’ve been here all along!’

‘Honey, yes! I came for you. I had to.’

‘Sel, I can’t believe it!’

They held onto each other for a long moment. Selene buried her face in her sister’s neck, relief and joy flooding her.

Just then, a pair of heavy boots stepped into view. Selene pulled away from her sister and looked up into Kainan’s smiling face.

She turned to her sister. ‘Sheba, this is Kainan. He and his friends, the Sable Riders, are why I’m here. Why you’re safe.’

Kainan bowed his head. ‘A pleasure to meet you, Sheba.’

The man by Selene’s sister’s side unfolded himself to his full height. He shared a small smile with Kainan. Then they wrapped each other in a big hug. Riv joined the embrace, wrapping long ropey arms around them from behind.

‘They know each other?’ Sheba said in wonder, rising to her feet.

‘They do. They’re part of the same brotherhood. The Sable Group. They helped me get to you.’

Sheba pulled Selene aside. ‘If you guys are the reason I’m safe now, Ki’Remi is the reason I’m still alive for you to rescue me. He’s been by my side through this entire ordeal.’

Selene glanced at the Riders, who were still catching up with Ki’Remi.

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