23. Alice
CHAPTER 23
ALICE
F rom my perch high in the ancient tree, I grip the rough bark and watch Davrik move through the jungle like a predator. The way he stalks the pirates makes my stomach clench - I've never seen him like this.
"Just a little closer," one of the pirates mutters, weapon drawn. He's looking in completely the wrong direction.
Davrik makes a soft clicking sound, drawing the pirate toward a patch of deceptively peaceful-looking flora. My breath catches - I know those leaves, that particular shade of violet.
"What the-" The pirate's scream cuts off as the carnivorous plant's vines whip around him. I squeeze my eyes shut, but can't block out the sounds.
Two more pirates crash through the underbrush, and Davrik makes a sound I taught him. Before long, a tusked snarglthon comes rushing the two of them, chasing them deep into the foliage.
"Run!" one pirate shouts to his companion. They don't make it far.
The fourth pirate stumbles into one of the pits. His cursing echoes up even as Davrik walks away.
"Efficient," I whisper to myself, "but excessive." They're criminals, yes, but this level of violence seems unnecessary. These pirates wanted money, not blood.
Movement catches my eye - their captain sprints for the ship, but Davrik intercepts him. They grapple, and I see the glint of something shiny.
"Getting slow in your old age?" Davrik yells. "Those enhancements can't make up for poor technique."
"Still talking?" The captain retorts. "Thought you were in a hurry."
Davrik beats the lights out of him. There's blood and the sickening sound of cracking bones. My heart pounds - this isn't justice, it's revenge. And Davrik isn't thinking clearly.
I begin my descent, branch by careful branch. The bark scrapes my palms as I climb down as quickly as I dare. I have to stop this before it goes too far.
My feet hit the ground and I sprint toward the ship, hoping I'm not too late to prevent more bloodshed. These men deserve punishment, but not death. And Davrik... Davrik deserves better than to carry that weight.
"No!" I burst through the undergrowth, my boots sliding on the damp soil. "Davrik, stop!"
His fingers tighten around the captain's throat. The pirate's feet dangle, kicking uselessly at air while his face turns a concerning shade of purple.
"He deserves this," Davrik growls, not even looking my way. "He put his hands on what's mine."
"I'm not your property," I snap, though my heart skips. "And this isn't justice - it's murder."
"You don't understand what he's capable of."
"I understand plenty." I step closer, my hands trembling. "I escaped him, didn't I? All by myself, using what you taught me. He's not that scary."
The captain makes a choking sound, his eyes bulging, legs kicking wildly.
"Let him go," I plead. "The others are... taken care of. He's no threat now."
"You're na?ve." Davrik's grip tightens further. "Men like this don't stop. They come back, stronger, angrier-"
"Then we'll deal with that if it happens. Together." I touch his arm, feeling the tension in his muscles. "Please. Don't do this. Not for me."
His green eyes finally meet mine, conflicted. The captain's struggles grow weaker.
"How dangerous can he really be?" I gesture at the pathetic sight. "I got away from him with basic self-defense and some handy chemicals. He's just a bully who-"
Movement catches my eye - the captain's hand snakes down to his boot. My breath catches as he pulls out a small pistol.
A gasp escapes my lips. "Davrik!"
The captain's fingers loosen on the gun as Davrik drops him. In one fluid motion, my Kaleidian has the weapon and the pirate pinned against the ship's hull. The metal reverberates with the impact.
"Now do you understand?" Davrik presses the barrel against the captain's temple. "This is who they are."
My hands shake as I step forward. "We can keep him contained. My research station has a secure storage unit-"
"You think a locked door will stop him?" Davrik's laugh holds no humor. "Your naivety would be charming if it wasn't so dangerous."
"Then we wait." I edge closer, careful not to make any sudden movements. "My company's ship arrives in less than two weeks. We turn him over to the authorities-"
The captain wheezes out a laugh. "Authorities? In this sector?"
"Shut up." Davrik jams the gun harder against his head.
"Please." My voice cracks. "I can't have this on my conscience. We can find another way."
"Your conscience?" Davrik's green eyes flash. "What about mine if he comes back and hurts you?"
"That's my risk to take." I reach for his arm again. "I won't let you become a murderer because of me."
"I've been one long before I met you."
The words hit like a physical blow, but I press on. "Then be better. For me. Show me the man I fell in love with."
Davrik's jaw clenches. "That man is a fantasy."
"No." I shake my head. "He's right here, fighting against his worst instincts. Prove me right."
The pirate captain's split lip curves into a bloody grin. "You really want the authorities involved, pretty boy? With what you've got in those crates?"
My stomach drops. The cargo. I'd almost forgotten about it in all this chaos.
"What's he talking about?" I step closer, my boots crunching on fallen leaves.
The captain's eyes gleam. "Oh, this is rich. You haven't told her?" He barks out a laugh that makes me flinch. "Some mate you are."
Davrik's fingers tighten on the gun. "I don't know what's in those crates, and that's the truth, Alice," he says, turning his face towards me. "What I said about client confidentiality? That's the truth.
"But you know enough to know it's not My Little Wetsy Betsy dolls, don't you? Bet you didn't tell her that. Bet you didn't tell her what else you've knowingly smuggled from planet to planet."
My heart pounds in my chest, wondering at the darkest possibilities my mind can create.
"What I want to know if how you know what's in there," Davrik growls.
"I have my ways. Well, had. Secrets are sacred, yes, but data rules everything. And your boss —Freynal, was it?— he runs a much tighter ship than you. That shipping manifest was protected by the finest security ever seen. But it was still nothing compared to poor Kraz. Such a sharp brain wasted in the stomach of an oversized house plant."
I gulp, remembering the scene. I know those plants well. Kraz was dead in less than a minute, no doubt. I can't stand to have more death here. Not even if it's him.
"Listen." The captain raises his hands, palms out. "We both know you can't turn me in without exposing yourself. So why don't we make this profitable for everyone?" He licks his bloody lips. "I'm down a pilot now, thanks to you. But I've heard stories about your skills. Fifty-fifty split on whatever's in those crates. We could make a fortune.
"Bring your girlfriend along if you must, I don't see the harm if you can keep her on a tight leash. But you'll be splitting your half, I won't be taking any less after everything you two have put me through." The captain licks his lips, seemingly pleased with the offer he's made.
My head spins. I look between them, pieces clicking into place that I don't want to acknowledge. "Davrik?" My voice sounds small. "What's in the cargo?"
"Nothing that concerns you." Davrik's jaw clenches.
"Oh, but it does." The captain's grin widens. "You see, sweetheart, your boyfriend here is carrying-"
The gun fires. My ears ring as blood sprays across the ship's hull. The captain's body crumples, his secrets dying with him.
I stumble backward, my hand pressed to my mouth. The acrid smell of gunpowder mingles with the jungle's natural perfume, making my stomach turn.