When he took a long step toward me, Yani said, “I’m sure the Drakes would be impressed to know you want to ‘bang’ her before she’s been evaluated and the license has been approved.”
That stopped him cold, and his gaze hardened. “You are both supreme bitches. If she weren’t the only game in town?—”
“Then you would only getmorerejections.” I exhaled as a bout of shivering swept through my body.
Yani sat and put her arm around me. “You are still way too hot,” she said.
“She shouldn’t be piloting like that,” Kurt protested.
“Leave her alone. If she gets too sick, I will take over,” Yani growled at him.
Kurt snorted a disparaging laugh. “I can fly better than you, Drolgok.”
Yani’s eyes narrowed. “It wasn’t me who crashed the last ship into the receiver tower.”
Kurt’s lips twisted. “It had engine trouble.”
“Just fu—eff off and leave me the hell alone,” I grumbled.
He glared at both of us as he left the room. I heard the Drake say something to him, but I ignored the ensuing conversation.
Yani had me stretch out on the couch. I tried to ignore the way it stank.
“Look at me,” she said.
I peered up at her, and she frowned. “Your irises are changing color.”
“What?”
“They are. They’ve gone almost violet.”
“That makes no sense. Why would they change color?”
“I have no idea,” she stated, sounding troubled. But then she smiled, and handed me Sookie. “Maybe you just need rest.”
I closed my eyes, violet or otherwise. The hedgegopher curled up with me as her owner took the nearby chair.
My unsettled dreams were filled with chaotic images of towering forms with green eyes and orange Birkenstocks. Even stranger, chains wove through everything.
Yani was still there when I awoke. My head pounded, and the stripes of her crocheted hat seemed to pulse with new, screaming color. I blinked and averted my gaze.
Kurt was leaning on the wall near the door. The two were exchanging glares, as if I’d interrupted a conversation.
Unexpectedly, the door opened, and Senaik entered, followed by my guard. Whose dark gaze immediately assessed my prone state.
I scooped Sookie and sat up. The entire world spun for a moment, before settling.
“Everything is ready for departure,” Senaik said. “None of you are to enter the aft storage bay during this voyage. It is off limits.”
A million questions danced through my fevered brain. But all I did was stare up at him, and mentally chant a quote from one of Yani’s favorite movies?—
Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming.
I shrugged, and said, “Okay.”
I was relieved to get theStardrifterout of that place with our repulsor covers intact.
Being owned by a Drake likely had a lot to do with it. No one willingly messed with the Tazier Clan.
