Thick as Thieves (The Fever Brothers #6)

Chapter 1

Chapter One

Ines

The first thing I notice when I materialize on Timbur and step off the transporter station disk is the rumble of deep voices from the nearby Xylan attendants.

A strange, giddy energy courses through my veins. I’ve never used a transporter before, they’re so freaking expensive I’ve just always taken a berth on commercial transport ships. But my editor approved the enormous expense to quickly send me to Timbur so this story can get finished sooner.

I’m here to write a feel-good piece, “Love Among the Stars: Human Women Find Happiness on Remote Mining Planet.” It’ll sell great on my home world and I’m really going to enjoy writing it, but… that’s not the only reason why I’m here. But my editor doesn’t need to know that. Not yet.

I smooth down my hair. It springs right back up.

Of course it does.

I’ve never been off New Earth before, but recently, I’ve been working on more consequential investigative work, which sometimes leads to wanting to make contacts off planet. And here I am.

The Xylan are a tall, imposing species, with ridged foreheads and clawed hands.

And all of them gaze at me with curiosity, probably surprised to see a random human arriving in their midst. Beings don’t vacation on Timbur, they only arrive when approved for some kind of temporary visa.

Timbur is a mining colony on the edge of the Four Sectors, home to the only known deposits of Illibrium crystals in the universe.

Illibrium, the most powerful source of clean energy in the known universe.

And also home to the Fever Brothers, the infamous mining crew whose parents were murdered in their beds over a decade ago.

A case that was never solved. A family that was blamed, shattered, and forgotten.

This is the real reason I’m here.

A bored-looking Xylan official scans my press credentials and then pauses. “You’ll need to be tested for Illibrium compatibility before proceeding.”

I blink with surprise. “I do?”

“Yes. Everyone who arrives must do this test before stepping out into our colony.” He gestures for me to follow another official to a small side chamber. Inside, there’s a pedestal with a small, glowing crystal resting on it. The crystal pulses with soft blue light, like a tiny heartbeat.

“Hold this,” the technician instructs. “Keep it in your palm until I tell you to release it.”

I reach out and wrap my fingers around the small, precious crystal.

Oh.

How lucky am I, to be allowed the honor of touching an actual Illibrium?

It’s warm. Not hot, just... pleasant, like holding captured sunlight.

And there’s a vibration, a hum that resonates in my chest, almost like the crystal is singing to me.

I stand there, waiting, feeling oddly peaceful. Which is weird, right?

The technician checks her readings and looks up with mild surprise. “You’re strongly compatible.”

“Is that unusual?”

“For humans?” She tilts her head. “Somewhat. You can enter the mines without issue. In fact, with readings like these, you could probably work there if you wanted.”

I file that away. Another detail for my story.

She takes back the crystal and I immediately miss its warmth. Strange.

After the Illibrium test, the technician hands me a pair of thin, green gloves.

“Put these on and wear these at all times when interacting with unmated Xylan males. It prevents... complications. Someone from the Fever Brothers crew is coming to collect you,” she says, already turning to the next person in line. “Wait in the arrivals area.”

I grab my bag, find a spot to stand and try not to look as nervous as I feel.

I slip on the green gloves which I know are truly important because Xylan find their mates by clasping bare hands.

And I still can’t quite believe I’m here.

I’ve taken a transporter, traveling across the universe in a moment and now I’m on this mysterious planet.

When I submitted my credentials to interview these women, I expected rejection and bureaucratic runaround.

Instead, my approval came through in record time—signed off by the CEO of Timbur Minecorp himself.

Soon, an imposing Xylan male approaches, dressed in work clothes and boots. “Ines Vieira?”

I lift my chin. “That’s me.”

“I am Bayzon. You may call me Chief.” He inclines his head slightly. “I lead the Fever Brothers mining crew you’ll be... visiting.”

“Thank you,” I say, keeping my voice pleasant and professional. “I appreciate your family taking the time to speak with me.”

“You’re the journalist investigating our parents’ deaths.”

It’s not a question and I try to hide my surprise at being caught out so quickly.

“Well, I’m officially here to do a piece on the human women who have married alien miners.

The readers back on New Earth will find that story super interesting.

But, yes, it’s true that I’m also investigating the cold case.

I want to find the truth about what happened. ”

He’s quiet for a moment. When he speaks again, his words are measured. “Truth is a valuable thing on Timbur, Ms. Vieira. We’ll see what kind of truth you’re looking for.”

I can’t tell if that’s a warning or a welcome.

Maybe both.

He gestures for me to follow. “We’ve prepared a room for you at our compound.”

My brow furrows. “I thought I’d be staying in employee housing near the mine entrance.”

“That housing is currently at capacity and my family prefers to extend our hospitality directly. You’ll be more comfortable with us.”

Translation: You’ll be where we can watch you.

Honestly? I’d do the same thing in their position. A journalist shows up wanting to dig into your family’s worst tragedy? You’d want to keep eyes on her too. “That’s very generous,” I say. “Thank you.”

He inclines his head again and leads me out of the station to a waiting transport vehicle. I climb in, stowing my bag at my feet. I look out the window as he pilots us away from the processing center and into Timbur proper.

The colony is... not what I expected.

Industrial, yes. Mining equipment and worker housing and functional structures built for purpose rather than beauty.

It’s much smaller and rougher than back home, in Singapore, but still very nice.

It’s basically a small town built around the opening of the Illibrium mine.

We pass public transport which seems to link all the areas of the town.

“Normally, you will use the public transport.”

I nod in agreement.

“The compound we live in has changed over the years,” he says, breaking the silence. His eyes stay on the road ahead. “When my brothers and I were first assigned these quarters, they were... inadequate.”

My journalist instincts perk up. “Inadequate how?”

“The worst housing on Timbur. It was meant as punishment.”

“Punishment for what?”

“That’s part of what you’re here to investigate, isn’t it?”

“Hopefully.”

He grunts and doesn’t bother to answer my question. “The compound is different now. We’ve expanded and made improvements.”

“You’ve made it nicer?”

Something softens in his expression. “Yes, we have. I’d say it’s because of the same females who you are here to interview. One of my brothers has been assigned to assist you during your stay.”

“Assist me?”

“Guide you. Ensure your safety. The mines can be dangerous for someone unfamiliar with Timbur.”

Babysitter. Handler. Spy.

I manage to keep my expression pleasant. “Which brother?”

“Texon. We call him Trunk.”

Something in Chief’s tone makes me pause. A hint of... something. Almost apologetic.

“Should I be concerned?”

The leader of the Fever Brothers crew is quiet for a beat too long. “Trunk is protective of our family. And he has... strong feelings about journalists.”

“He doesn’t like my choice of career?”

“The last journalists who came to Timbur for our story turned our family’s tragedy into entertainment.

” His clawed hands tighten on the controls.

“They called our eldest brother unstable, dangerous. Some even implied he’d killed our own parents.

Splashed it across every feed in the Four Sectors.

Made our worst nightmare into a spectacle. ”

“I know what happened in the past and I want to assure you that I’m not here to do that,” I say quietly.

“I want to actually write the story I’m really here to do, the one about the human brides.

But I was hoping to help you find the real truth of what happened to your parents. I want to be a help, not a hinderance.”

Chief’s expression doesn’t change. “We’ll see.” He’s quiet for a moment, then adds, “Not everyone in my family agreed to your visit, Ms. Vieira. Some of my brothers took... convincing.”

“But you approved it?”

“I believe in taking calculated risks.” His voice is measured. “Grytel signed off on your credentials without hesitation. A case this old, a journalist from a backwater planet—he doesn’t see you as a threat.”

I try my best to not be offended at his description of my home planet.

“His arrogance may be useful to us,” Chief continues, almost to himself. “Or it may not. We’ll see.”

Before I can ask what he means by that statement, I notice we’ve reached the edge of town. Chief turns down a quiet residential street with a dead end and pulls to a stop in front of a large home.

It’s bigger than I expected. Newer sections have been added to the original structure—different materials, different styles, but all connected into one sprawling whole.

Not luxurious, but solid. And there are signs of life everywhere.

Children’s toys are scattered near the entrance.

Pretty plants grow in containers. A half-finished project leans against a wall.

This isn’t what I expected from a mining crew’s quarters.

Chief leads me inside, and the chaotic common area hits me like a wave.