“I’ll see to our guest.” Dez left the galley.
Cyra followed but went in the opposite direction toward the deck. Rhysa hadn’t taken her eyes from Blaize, probably betting she would follow Dez. The temptation clawed at her, but she followed Cyra. Blaize could occupy herself with getting the part ordered and other tasks and hopefully overhear Dez’s decision on the room assignment when he told Cyra.
Footsteps echoed in the hallway. Cifer launched himself to the door of the cell, anticipating Blaize. Instead, a pissed-off, dark-skinned, bald security officer stormed through the door.
“Furcifer Msuya. We have a problem.” Dez’s voice was harsh, but he wasn’t nearly as scary looking as he had been the first time Cifer met him. Cifer relaxed back on the sleeping platform and flipped his sculpture in his hand. The piece was becoming a bird as he’d guessed, but he needed a few more parts. “What’s the problem?”
“May I see that?” Dez came into the cell and held out his hand.
Cifer considered denying the request, but it wouldn’t help his case. He sat up and placed his tiny creation in the male’s wide outstretch palm.
Dez turned it about, inspecting it closely. “Very clever.” He tested the tiny wings that could flap.
Cifer didn’t take the trinket back. “Can you be more specific about what problem you have?”
“You were in the ductwork of the ship.”
“With Blaize, at her request.”
“She said you were very helpful. Not sure how you fit down there.” Dez eyed Cifer.
His current form was closer to Dez in size. “I’m flexible.”
“Hmm.”
“As I said before, I am willing to pay for this leg of my journey.” Cifer took the bird from Dez’s still outstretched hand. He patted the empty side of the mattress.
Dez took the invitation and sat down. “Are you comfortable here in this cell?”
Cifer considered where Dez could be going with this line of questioning. “Beats any place I found on Kolben.”
Dez laughed. “Very true. I stayed in this cell for a time.”
“You did?”
“Yeah. Loud and drafty…”
“Again, not the worst place I’ve rested my head.”
“The captain feels it would be best to have you join us for meals in the galley so that the crew can get to know you before they commit to taking you all the way to Hiargus.”
“Hot food is a great incentive to face them.”
“Face them?” Dez’s forehead wrinkled all the way to his bald head.
“Five females who were not happy to have me on their ship?” Cifer shivered dramatically.
“You seem to have won two of them over already.”
“Veda is very kind.” Cifer rubbed his neck. “Blaize is…” So many words. Beautiful, brilliant, beguiling. “Uncertain of me.”
“Blaize is very precise and careful with all she commits to.”
Tightness hit Cifer between the shoulders. Her commitment wasn’t his goal. He swallowed. “Wise.”
“Why this ship? It’s big and expensive.”
“As I said before, the food is a big selling point—delicious despite being lukewarm by the time it makes its way here. And there’s the care Blaize takes with the maintenance. It’s hard to find a ship this safe.” Cifer held out his hands and shrugged.
