Cifer envied the captain. A family reunion of any kind was such a gift, one he’d never get. Dez could easily support Cyra with the task because he had such a great relationship with his own family. He had an example of how families should be. Dez’s role in his mate’s life was obvious. Unlike Cifer’s.
A run might clear his head and let him come up with a plan to give his female exactly what she needed. First, he’d have to figure out where he could fit in her self-driven life.
Despite the long run, Cifer gained no clarity as to what he could do for Blaize, beyond helping her team secure the contracts needed to be successful. At least he could solve the problem of contracting a buyer for the produce on Chalcanth.
He found the communications specialist on the bridge alone.
“Bodi?” he called to her in as soft a voice as he could and still be heard.
She startled, her delicate wings fluttering as she launched herself from her low-backed seat and took a defensive stand. “What are you doing in here?”
“I came to ask you for help, if you would be so kind.” He held his arms out from his body, hands low and open.
“You need to run all requests through Captain Cyra or Dez.”
“I just came from working out with him.” He hadn’t asked permission, but that was a minor detail. Dez had assisted with the initial messages, but he had his hands full with his mate. “The only request is to send some more messages. I need to follow up with the buyers for the Din’ Gale goods.” Among other messages of which Bodi didn’t need to know the details.
Cifer took a step, and Bodi bounced back out of reach.
“Why are you terrified of me?” He could have smacked himself. The words were not meant to be vocalized. He waited for her to settle before he moved again.
“Please don’t kill me.” She held her arms up, defending her face.
“Why would you say that?” He kept his voice soft and his stance as relaxed and as non-threatening as possible.
“There have always been threats on my family’s lives. But in the last few months… Blaize says you shouldn’t be on this ship.”
“I’m sorry. I don’t know who you or your family are. Fate is the reason I’m on this ship. Not some nefarious plan. I’ve never killed anyone in my life.” At least not directly. “And I sure don’t plan to start, especially with you.”
Bodi stared at him for several seconds. She appeared to weigh his individual atoms and consider their worthiness to be in her presence. “I come from a royal family.”
Cifer remained silent.
“I was trained to detect infiltrators and spies.”
“Every word I have said to you has been the truth.” It was the words he’d omitted that might lead to false assumptions.
“Your words are truthful, but you’re cloaked in lies. The contradiction troubles me.”
“I’m not a threat.”
“But you’re hiding something.” Her wings moved so quickly, they buzzed.
He held his hands up. “Nothing that could bring harm to you or anyone on this ship.”
“Why, then?”
“Habit, mostly. My appearance. It’s unusual.”
Bodi scanned his body. She gazed into his eyes and nodded solemnly. “What do you need from me?”
“If you could give me some basic instruction on your systems and perhaps a limited account so that I don’t have to come to you for every reply and response.” Cifer wasn’t sure which way it would go. He was certain that Dez would authorize his request, but he didn’t want to disturb the male if possible.
“Fine.”
Her response surprised and pleased him.
She sat down at the console again and began typing and tapping faster than he could follow. “Your account can be accessed from any console, or you can use your data pad.”
