One person knowing he existed was a problem. Two meant he could no longer remain hidden. His cover was blown. “I would prefer to remain concealed. I need a ride to Cassan, nothing more. I’m no threat to you or anyone on this ship.”
“Are you escaping from Kolben? Are you a miner? I can understand why someone would risk stowing away, but that’s still not—” Blaize shook her head, obviously still rattled.
“The ride I purchased to get off Kolben left without me, and I have a contractual obligation that requires me elsewhere.”
Veda wrinkled her nose. “It’s a little weird talking to the wall and hearing it respond. Please reveal yourself.”
He slowly revealed the version of himself he used in public.
“The only reason we were on Kolben was to deliver Dez. Thankfully, we didn’t have to leave him, because that place is horrible.” Veda inspected him, gaze trailing a methodical path over his person, no emotion.
“I agree.” The atrocious conditions for the miners bordered on criminal. He hadn’t wanted to spend one more second there than he had to. As soon as he could, he would look into what he could do to help them.
Blaize crossed her arms and glared at him. “Now that I know you’re on the ship, not just suspecting—because I did think someone might be on the ship, but I also considered it might be my imagination— I have to tell the captain.”
Icy fear, almost as cold as space, washed through him. “I wish you wouldn’t. I won’t be any trouble.”
“Cyra and Dez are fair.” Veda gave him a reassuring smile that didn’t ease his concerns.
“I’m sure they are, but stowaways are generally dealt with by ejecting them out the nearest portal.” Cifer had seen it once in his youth, and he’d never forgotten. “I’d prefer not to end my trip by becoming space dust prematurely.”
“You saved my life. But you did stow away, and technically that does make you a criminal. But they wouldn’t…” Blaize trailed off.
“They likely would. I was avoiding certain death on Kolben, and my travel is on behalf of another planet whose inhabitants will suffer greatly if I don’t complete my journey. Please, for them, would you keep my presence a secret?” He might be slightly exaggerating about the importance of the orb. But maybe not. He wasn’t familiar with the species of humans that occupied Hiargus.
“If they find out we knew…” Veda shook her head.
“I won’t be found. I’m very good at hiding.”
Blaize dusted off her hands on the pant legs of the coveralls. “I’m obligated to tell the Security Officer.”
Cifer’s gaze locked on to the female as she marched away. A storm of beauty that made his heart pound. He couldn’t chase her, wouldn’t try, and shouldn’t be tempted to seduce her. She was the type of woman who, once he made her his, he would be unable to leave. And that didn’t fit with his lifestyle.
“I’ll stay with you.” Veda’s voice brought him back to the engine room. “It’ll be okay. You’ll see.”
Cifer very much doubted it would be, but he was out of moves.
“Do you want to see my greenhouse?”
Didn’t really matter how he spent his final moments on the ship, and the hopeful pride in Veda’s voice couldn’t be ignored. Rather than confess to eating a bit of her harvest, he said, “I would. I’ve never seen a greenhouse on a ship before. How does that work with the rigors of space?”
Veda gave him a warm smile tinged with surprise. “It wouldn’t work on just any ship, but The Treasure was designed for bio-transport. Between that and the special growing methods I’m using, I’m seeing significant production rates.”
She prattled on as Cifer followed her amongst the plants. But his mind was on the beautiful female he’d held for a perfect moment. The one who would expedite his certain death.
Chapter 6
Blaize and Dez strode down the corridor toward the engine room, not speaking. As they got to the opening to Veda’s greenhouse, Dez held his hand up, and she stopped. He froze and tilted his head like he could hear something. Blaize couldn’t hear anything but the usual ship whirring and hissing, a low background noise she’d come to associate with all systems normal. Dez held up his hand again and mouthed the word, Stay. She nodded, and he slinked toward the greenhouse so silently that no one would hear him coming.
“Veda.” Dez’s voice boomed through the doorway which he filled.
Blaize moved closer, but quietly, so she didn’t draw the big man’s wrath.
“Where did he go?” Dez didn’t move from the door, but his head was swiveling, peering into the room in all directions. Blaize tried to see around him, but all she caught was a brief glimpse of Veda, whose brow was wrinkled as she bit her lip.
“Veda. Where did that man go?”
“Um…” Veda sounded like she was about to cry. “Please don’t be mad. He saved Blaize’s life.”
