The Star Thief (38 page)
Authors: Jamie Grey
He turned to glare at her. “And what about me?”
“If worse comes to worst, you can come back to MYTH. Tell them Viktis abducted you. That you had no choice. You’re a pirate. I’m pretty sure you can take care of yourself. The pirate I used to know can take care of himself.”
Viktis smiled wryly. “Your concern for me is touching.”
“You know it’s a compliment. You’re more than capable of staying out of MYTH’s way.” She got to her feet. “When we land at Aldani’s lab, we’ll have a short time for him to check on the kid, grab some of his stuff, and then you need to leave like you’ve kidnapped him.”
“You’re staying behind?” Finn asked through thinned lips.
She nodded. “I’ll call for help. Tell them I managed to escape. It’s the only way,” she added as Finn’s face darkened.
“I don’t like it.”
“I don’t either, but do you have another idea?”
He growled and started pacing again.
Renna turned to Viktis. “I know we haven’t had the best relationship, but if you do this, I’ll owe you. And you know I always fulfill my promises.”
He shrugged. “My crew’s dead, my ship’s destroyed, and I don’t have any jobs lined up. I’ll help out.” He got that calculating expression she knew far too well. “As long as you give me that little security deposit around your neck.”
Her hand crept up and clutched the sapphire. Retirement was looking even further away than when she’d started this mission. And if it would keep Finn and Myka safe, she’d give up more than this. She yanked at the chain, and it snapped, burning the skin on the back of her neck.
She handed it over. “Deal.”
Finn frowned. “Renna.”
“What? It’s mine to do with what I want.” She shrugged. “It’s a small price to pay.”
“There’s one more part of this deal, love,” Viktis said, slipping the stone into his pocket. “When it’s all over and we’re safe, you have to tell me the story behind stealing this.”
Renna shook her head. “Some things are better left untold, Viktis.”
Keva’s voice sounded from the intercom. “Renna, we’ve landed at the labs. Aldani’s on his way.”
Thank gods for small favors.
“Good. Finn, prep him as fast as you can. I’m going to get my stuff.”
THIRTY-FOUR
Thirty minutes later, Renna had stashed her bag in one of Aldani’s guest rooms and was sitting on a hard exam table as he flashed a light into her eyes.
“Why would you protect Navang?” she asked. “We could have stopped this days ago if you’d just told us the truth.”
Aldani sighed and looked her in the face. “I needed to know how much Navang knew about Myka and the drugs before I went after him myself. And if you were captured, it was better that you knew nothing.”
“You’re a doctor. What exactly did you think you were going to do with him?” Renna frowned.
“I was going to offer a trade. Offer to work for him. Whatever he wanted in exchange for the boy.”
“Blackmail never works out. You’ve been around long enough to know that. Navang would have killed you eventually or turned you into one of those hybrids.”
He rubbed his eyes. “I know. It was stupid. But he killed my brother and sister-in-law. I wanted revenge, and this was the only way I could think to get close to him.”
Renna’s jaw dropped. “I thought they were killed in the attack.”
“No, they were killed
before
the attack. Navang wanted them out of the way so he could get Myka and the formula. He’s been searching for the boy ever since.”
“I had no idea.”
“I should have told you. Trusted you.” Aldani shook his head. “I can’t do anything to fix what Navang did to you, but I will do whatever I can to make you comfortable.”
“Just make sure Myka is okay. I’ll deal.”
Aldani shook his head. “You’re an amazing woman, Renna. We’re lucky Dallas hired you to help. I can’t think of anyone else who would have rescued a perfect stranger.”
His gratitude made her uncomfortable, so she jumped down from the table to study one of the holopads on the counter. “Myka’s not safe yet. And you need to get out of here. Have you gathered your research?”
“Downloaded and ready to go. Pulled a few things into a bag. Can’t take too much or they’ll get suspicious.” Aldani’s lips curved into a smile. “I don’t know what’s going to happen, Renna, but I want you to know I’m in your debt. And if things get too bad…” He opened a drawer and pulled out a medipatch. “This will put you in a peaceful sleep. You won’t feel a thing. Your heart will stop, and you’ll drift off. Painlessly.”
Renna swallowed and took the patch. “Thank you, Doctor. I hope it doesn’t come to that, but I appreciate it.” Right now the pain in her head wasn’t too bad, but it could change any second. It was nothing more than a ticking time bomb.
He squeezed her shoulder. “Enough of that. You’re a strong woman, and I know you’re going to save us all. You already have. And in the meantime, I’ll do my best to work on something to save
you
.”
Together they walked back to the hangar. Myka spotted his uncle and ran down the gangplank. The older man caught the boy up in his arms and kissed his head. “Glad you’re feeling better, my boy. Now let’s get back on board. We’re leaving.”
Myka frowned. “Is Renna coming with us?”
She shook her head. “I’m going to stay here for a while, but you’ll have Captain Finn and your Uncle David and even Viktis to protect you. It’ll be fine.” She hugged the boy before stepping back. “I’ll see you soon, kid.”
“Promise?” His dark eyes shimmered with tears, and she nodded.
“Promise.”
Aldani and Myka disappeared into the ship, leaving Viktis behind to fiddle with one of the tech panels.
She walked over and leaned against the ship. “Hey.”
“Hey,” he said, closing the door and turning to face her. “How are you feeling?”
“Doc gave me something for the pain. I’ll be okay.” She shuffled her boot against the cement. “Thanks for doing this.”
He pulled her into a hug, and she inhaled his familiar scent of cedar and starfuel. “I figure I owe you one after trying to kill you. I’ll keep your men safe.”
She grinned at him. “I’m going to hold you to that. You know you’re included, right?”
“I was hoping. Maybe I have a chance after all.” He winked and squeezed her hand. “Looks like the captain wants to say his goodbyes, too. Take care of yourself, love.” Viktis retreated back into the ship as Finn came down the gangplank.
“Everything all set?” she asked. Her gaze traveled across his broad shoulders to the cleft in his chin. Memorizing him. This could be the last time she saw him.
“As much as it can be. Gheewala’s changed the
Athena
’s signature; I’ve had Keva take care of the ship’s registry. Once Viktis finds us a place to hide, we’ll be invisible.”
“Good. He and I have an old merc trick we’ll use to communicate. I’ll send the all-clear as soon as I can. Stay out of trouble in the meantime.” She smiled up at him. “And don’t kill the pirate. We need him.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Finn stepped closer, and butterflies danced in her stomach. He trailed a finger down her cheek. “Rain check on that shore leave?”
She nodded. “It’s a date. Don’t go falling for any sexy mercenaries while I’m gone, or I’ll have to track you down.”
“Well, if that’s all it’ll take…” He smiled sadly. “I promised myself I’d never go back to that life, Renna. And here I am about to turn traitor.”
She shrugged. “I promised myself I’d never get caught, and here I am handing myself in.”
“If it helps, just remember that I caught you first.” Finn pulled her to his chest, kissing her hard and deep. A goodbye kiss she’d remember.
“Promise me you’ll be careful,” he said.
“I can’t promise that. Could you?”
He frowned and shook his head. “Probably not. But try, for me.”
“Hey, you’re talking to the Star Thief. Covering my ass is what I do best. Now get out of here before MYTH arrives.”
He kissed her again, one last time, holding her for an extra heartbeat. And then he turned and walked back into the ship, not looking back.
The
Athena
’s engine’s roared to life, and Renna backed away as it lifted off through the roof.
Her implant spun up as soon as she thought about contacting Major Larson. “Help me,” she whispered. “They’re escaping with the boy.”
“Where are you?” Larson shouted in her ear. “Renna? Where is the ship? Do you have Myka?”
“I’m at Aldani’s labs. Please hurry.” She shut off the connection with her mind and then looked at the heavy pipes the mechanics had left behind.
“Might as well make it look convincing,” she said, picking it up and testing the weight in her hand.
At least knocking herself out would stop the pounding in her head for a while.
ATHENA’S ASHES – BOOK 2 OF THE STAR THIEF CHRONICLES
COMING SUMMER 2014
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Writing this book was an amazing process, mostly because of the support structure I had in place. Thanks to Leigh Ann Kopans and Mandy Stagg for being the best Alpha readers anyone could ask for. I couldn't do this without you ladies.
Thank you to my early readers—Marie Meyer, Nazarea Andrews, and Nanci Schwartz. Your feedback was invaluable!
To Ryan, who is always supportive and encouraging. I don't know what I'd do without you, babe.
And a huge thank you to all of the amazing readers and bloggers who've encouraged me and been excited for this book. You have no idea how much that means to an author!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jamie Grey spent most of her childhood writing stories about princesses who saved the day and pretending to be a daring explorer. It wasn’t until much later that she realized she should combine the two. Now, as a tech-obsessed gamer geek, her novels mix amazing scientific developments, future worlds, and the remarkable characters that live in them.
Jamie lives in Michigan with her significant other and their pets, who luckily tolerate her overspending on tea, books, and video games.
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Praise for Jamie’s Young Adult Sci-Fi ULTRAVIOLET CATASTROPHE
Smart and funny with a side of geeky awesomeness,
Ultraviolet Catastrophe
charmed me from the first page. With its contemporary, campy feel and a dash of romance, Jamie Grey’s debut novel was a thoroughly enjoyable read. I devoured it.
~ Susan Kaye Quinn, author of the
Mindjack
Trilogy
Written in an incredibly real and engaging teen voice,
Ultraviolet Catastrophe
is a lighthearted yet stunningly crafted debut full of adventure, mystery, self-discovery, and romance. From the moment I started reading, Lexie, Asher, and the Quantum Tech world captured my imagination—by the end, they had captured my heart.
Ultraviolet Catastrophe
is my favorite Young Adult book of 2013, and I know YA readers of all kinds will love it too.
~ Leigh Ann Kopans, author of
One
,
Two
and
Solving for Ex
ULTRAVIOLET CATASTROPHE
A brilliant mind is a terrible thing to waste.
When sixteen-year-old Lexie discovers her parents have been using drugs to suppress her outrageous IQ, she understands why the advanced theories in her physics books have suddenly started making sense. But they’re not done dropping bombshells. Branston Academy, a school run by the world’s most powerful scientists, is searching for her so she can join them—as a research subject.
Her only safe haven is Quantum Technologies, a secret scientific community where her father works as a lead scientist. Now Lexie must prove herself at QT’s school-for-geniuses, where competition is cutthroat and the other student prodigies make Albert Einstein look like an amateur. Including the infuriatingly hot Asher, QT’s resident boy wonder.
But after a series of suspicious accidents in the restricted labs, Lexie discovers that Branston plans to unleash an ultraviolet catastrophe that will destroy everyone she loves. With the enemy closing in, Lexie must find the strength to face her past, or risk losing her future forever.
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