Chapter 14
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
“Are you sure it’s safe to just let her walk about the ship?” Eos’ dark gaze was on Lala.
Zayn adjusted the controls of the Infinitas. “She’s fine.” He looked over his shoulder and spotted Lala with her hands pressed against the floor-to-ceiling windows that showed the stars streaming past them at interstellar speed. Her ball robot, Fred, hovered near her left ear.
Dathan leaned back in the chair beside Zayn and propped his feet up. “If she blows the ship up, she blows herself up, and if there’s one thing I know about that girl, it’s that she has a killer survival instinct.”
“Well, I’m still not comfortable with the thought she could have explosives on her,” Eos said.
“She does.” BEll’s modulated voice came from the command console. “Plasma X, TNTN, and lastite. In her bags in her room. I’ll let you know if she starts any funny business.”
“Suva help us,” Eos murmured.
“I’m more worried about those inferior machines she’s brought on board,” BEll said.
Another set of near-silent footsteps echoed on the ship’s metal floor. Funny how Zayn could pick out Ria’s steps.
She’d showered, her damp hair shades darker than its usual gold.
He felt a twinge of regret that he hadn’t been able to shower with her.
Press her up against the plas walls of the tiny shower stall in his cabin.
He huffed out a breath. Between getting Lala settled on the ship, racing back to Khan to pick up Dathan, Nik, and Eos, and then setting course for the Devil’s Nebula, there hadn’t been time for anything else.
Now all their attention had to be on the mission. On gaining Ria’s freedom.
He caught her gaze. “Four hours until we hit the Nebula.”
She nodded.
“It’s been sitting out near the lava world of Igna for the last two months. If the wormhole it’s attached to follows its usual pattern, it’ll shift soon, taking the nebula with it.” A beep sounded from the console. He adjusted a setting, almost without thinking.
Ria crossed her arms. “The smugglers and the slavers love when the Nebula moves. They’re always prepared to ambush any unsuspecting ships, stations, or planets.”
“We want to get in, and preferably get out, before the Nebula moves again,” Dathan said.
“So—” Lala sauntered up and sat on one of the cockpit chairs, backward. She folded her arms on the back of the seat. “Apart from dangling me under the nose of the Assassin’s Guild, what’s the plan?”
Niklas moved closer. “Girl’s got a point. Let’s get our plan pinned down.”
All of them moved toward the holo-table in the neighboring room. Zayn set the ship on autopilot and gripped Ria’s arm. “You healed that head wound?” He tucked her hair behind her ear and only saw smooth skin.
Her green eyes softened. “Yes. You?”
“Like new.” He fingered the damp strands of her hair. “I’m sorry I couldn’t wash your back.”
She gave him a small smile. “That would have been nice. Maybe we can find some time to ourselves later?”
He already felt the heavy, curious weight of his brothers’ gazes.
“We’ll try. Mission is the first priority though.
” He felt a desperate need to hold her one more time before they launched themselves into the heart of the Devil’s Nebula and a mission that could get them all killed.
But her safety and her freedom came first.
They joined the others at the holo-table. Lala had boosted herself onto a corner and was swinging one leg. Her now-repaired insect robot skittered up her leg. She picked it up and stroked it like a cat.
Dathan leaned forward and tapped the screen. The image of a rocky planet appeared. “We’ll take the shuttle down to Lucifa. First order of business is reconnaissance.”
Lala yawned. “Boring.”
Dathan’s lips twitched. “Maybe, but we need to get the lay of the land before we go storming the castle, or in this case, the Assassin’s Guild.”
Zayn slapped Lala’s shoulder. “After that, the next step is to create a distraction.”
The girl grinned. “That sounds more exciting.”
“We want to empty the Guild of as many assassins as we can,” Ria said. “So Zayn and I can go in, locate the derringer, and get it out.”
“And that’s where I come in.” Lala tapped a finger against her lips.
“You got it,” Zayn said.
“However, once we reveal Lala’s presence—” Ria pressed her palms against the table “—we have to keep her safe. I promised her the Guild won’t get her.”
Zayn watched Lala and Ria share a glance. He shouldn’t be surprised they’d formed some sort of bond. Two lost girls. “We’ll keep her safe.” He looked at his brothers, who both nodded.
There was no way he’d let a girl fall into the hands of the Guild. Memories of Vik and the dark cells of the Guild rose up, closing his throat. It made him realize he’d been free of them the last few days.
A hand slid along his arm, and he looked down at Ria.
She squeezed his forearm before her hand dropped away.
Going on this mission was going to be his last gift to Vik and her memory.
It was time he let the past go, and if he helped secure Ria’s freedom, maybe she’d like to spend some of it with him.
“I know how we can create the ultimate distraction,” Lala said. “A dirty, big explosion.”
Zayn looked to the ceiling. “Why am I not surprised?”
“Good way to get caught or killed,” Dathan suggested.
“Listen.” Lala leaped off the table and tapped the screen. Nothing happened. “Hey, computer girl, help me out here.”
BEll sniffed. “My name is BEll. What would you like to see?”
“Map of Lucifa, area surrounding the Guild.”
The screen flashed and the map appeared in amazing detail.
“We cause a massive explosion, maybe pick a good juicy target the Guild wouldn’t like to see destroyed. We make sure the event has my signature style—” she waggled her eyebrows “—and I make a brief appearance. We’re sure to empty the Guild. Every assassin will be gunning for me.”
“It’s a good idea,” Ria said.
Lala beamed.
Zayn considered the map. “How do we make sure we can get Lala out of there quickly?”
Niklas stared at the holo-table. “Disguise might work. After she makes her appearance, we can alter her looks.”
Dathan was frowning. “I think we have some spectrum camouflage in the cargo hold. We can literally make her disappear.”
Lala let out a gusty sigh. “You guys are soooo serious.” She waved a hand. “We can sort all that out later. Let’s have some fun. What can we blow up that’s important to the Guild?”
Zayn’s gaze had strayed to Ria. She was lost in thought, but he saw the moment her face lit up.
“You thought of something,” he said.
Ria nodded. “Yes. Something the Guild holds dear. Something they’d be very upset to see destroyed.”
Ria tapped the holo-table screen and the image zoomed in. A formidable statue stood in the center of a bustling square. “The statue of a master assassin and founder of the Guild, Balthazar.”
Lala clapped her hands. “Ooh, good one. Assassins live for all that honor and tradition crapola, they’d hate their precious ancestor being defaced.”
Ria felt embarrassed that a part of her felt just a little sick suggesting it. All children of the Guild were taught from birth to revere Balthazar. She wanted to escape, but some training would take time for her to reject and forget.
“I have some explosives that’ll work a treat,” Lala said. “Small enough to smuggle in and set, strong enough to destroy the statue.” She peered at the image. “It’s metal, right?”
“Yes,” BEll answered. “Meteoric iron.”
“Great. What I have in mind will also cause some spectacular fireworks. Far too many explosives makers try and create explosives that don’t make a scene.” A wide grin. “Me, I like explosives that go boom with style.”
Dathan shook his head and leaned against the table. “Okay, so Nik and I will help Lala set the explosives, detonate them, and then escape.” He speared the girl with a direct look. “You’ll head straight back to the shuttle, take off, and meet Eos back here at the ship.”
Lala fluttered her lashes. “You have such incredible blue eyes.”
“Wait.” Eos turned to face her husband. “What do you mean on the ship? I’m coming to Lucifa.”
“No, you’re not.”
Ria watched in interest as the couple squared off.
Eos shoved her hands on her hips. “I can help. I’m not some damsel that needs protection.”
“I know. But it’s too dangerous for you down there. Your looks, your mehndi, are too unique. They might remember you.”
Ria frowned. “Remember?”
Zayn shifted. “On a previous mission, slavers from the Nebula kidnapped Eos.”
Ria watched the other woman shiver. Dathan slipped an arm around her and pulled her close. He rested his chin on the top of her head. Their argument seemed forgotten as Eos leaned into him.
Dathan looked up. “I had to go in and rescue her from an auction. Needless to say, there’s a slaver down there missing a few million e-creds.” He looked down at his wife. “And the most beautiful woman in the galaxy.”
“What if you’re recognized, Dathan?” Ria asked.
Dathan shrugged. “I was dressed as a wealthy gambler when I went in last time. I’ll use some basic disguise this time. Besides, I’m not as unique as Eos.”
Ria wasn’t so sure about that. Even in the Devil’s Nebula, the legend of the treasure hunter who found Star’s End was well-known.
“So, Eos will stay on the ship—” Zayn looked up, and when his sister-in-law gave him a reluctant nod, he continued “—while Ria and I will find a hiding place near the Guild. Once enough assassins have left, we’ll go in.”
“Cool, we have a plan.” Lala rubbed her hands together. “I have some explosives to make. Come on, Fuzzy.” She grabbed her robot and set it on her shoulder.
Ria couldn’t quite control her grimace. Lala messing with explosives in her cabin didn’t seem like the safest idea. She saw the same looks on the others’ faces.
Niklas cleared his throat. “I think I’ll come and help you, Lala.”
“Sure, old man.”
Nik managed to keep a blank face as he followed Lala to her cabin.