Athena’s Ashes (Star Thief Chronicles #2)(29)
Author: Jamie Grey

“Enough, pirate,” Finn interrupted as he entered the room. Pink tinged his cheeks, and he didn’t meet Renna’s gaze as he slipped into the seat beside her. “I’m glad to see you’re feeling better.”

“Me too.” She smiled. It didn’t hurt that being around him again made everything feel better. Gods, when had she turned into such a sap?

Commander Jayla tapped a fingernail against the table. A bruise darkened the skin beneath her left eye, and a cut sliced across her cheekbone, courtesy of Samil’s men.

“Let’s get started,” she said, pulling up a holo of the bunker where they’d faced Samil. “MYTH bombed the place not long after the Eris escaped. I wasn’t able to radio HQ in time. Any evidence Dr. Samil might have left behind has been destroyed. We’re running blind here.”

Lieutenant Blake nodded from the other side of the table. “We tried to track her ship’s signature, but Samil and Major Larson were able to block it. They disappeared without a trace.”

“Major Larson, a traitor. I still can’t believe it,” Finn said. “He had everyone fooled. And the doctor…” His voice trailed off as she shook his head

Jayla grimaced. “He even fooled the admiral. Larson was part of her advisory group. The things he knows about MYTH could destroy us. I don’t even want to talk about Dr. Samil. How could we have missed something so huge?”

Finn gazed around the table as if to dare anyone to disagree with what he was about to say. “Well, whatever we think about Larson and Samil, the first thing we need to do is get Renna healthy.”

Jayla opened her mouth to protest, but Renna held up a hand. “Before this turns into a discussion no one can win, I have my own suggestion.”

Viktis groaned. “The last time you had a plan, I had to go on the run with our esteemed captain here. If this means I’m stuck alone with him for another two weeks, I quit. The guy can’t handle his liquor or his women.” He rolled his eyes but shot Finn an impish grin.

“Keep it up, pirate,” Finn warned good-naturedly.

“Boys, behave.” Renna fought the urge to stick out her tongue at them, but that would only lead to more childish behavior. “Viktis, you’ll be relieved to know this plan has nothing to do with leaving you in Finn’s clutches. I need your help with Wall. He’s the only one left who has a sample of the medication Navang developed.”

The unsaid words were there, heavy in the air around them. The only thing that might be able to keep her from turning into a cyborg.

The pirate nodded. “Makes sense. I should have thought of that right away. I’ll put out some feelers. Last I heard, Wall and his crew had left Lenue after the attack.”

Aldani steepled his fingers. “In the meantime, I’ll continue my own research. There may be other alternatives we can use to keep Renna’s implant stable.”

“I appreciate the help.” A warm glow curled through her. How had she gotten so lucky to have these people on her side? “I don’t know what tricks Samil has up her sleeve, but I’m worried. I’d like to get moving on this as quickly as possible. Viktis, can you get a hold of Wall as fast as you can? Doc, if there are any genetic stabilizers you can think of, I’d be willing to give them a try until we get a real cure.”

She glanced around the table at the people she’d come to care about. Blake lounged in his chair, looking unconcerned, but his fingers drummed a nervous tattoo against the table. Jayla had her commander expression back on—calm and composed, though Renna was sure she was anything but. Even Viktis, usually the most laidback man she’d ever met, sat on the edge of his chair.

Gods. Sometime in the last few weeks these people had become her family. How had that happened? She’d spent so long keeping to herself so she didn’t get hurt, yet here she was, terrified for all of them.

Renna took a deep breath, trying to focus on the task at hand instead of her feelings. “Listen. Despite what’s happening to me, Samil is still out there. And she’s still gunning for MYTH. We need to figure out what her plans are before she can strike again. Whether or not we find a way to stop my implant from taking over.”

Finn opened his mouth to protest, but she cut him off. “Hear me out. I think our number one priority is getting the doctor and Myka to a safe house and away from anything MYTH-related. Samil can’t use him if she can’t find him.”

“Consider it done,” Viktis said.

“We’ll use the Athena to take them to the safe house. We know the ship is still off MYTH radar and is safe for now. Once they’re settled, the two ships can rendezvous on Lenue and figure out our next steps.”

Finn scowled at her. “You’re not sending me away on some errand, Renna.”

“I wasn’t planning on it. I want Keva to lead that mission. I need you and Viktis as back up when we visit Wall.”

Finn opened his mouth to argue, then realized what she’d said. “Oh. Right. Works for me.”

“What about me?” Blake asked. “You can’t leave me behind. I saved your life.”

Renna grinned at him. “You’re my hero.” Beside her, Finn frowned at them. “But I need you and Commander Jayla to stay behind on the Eris and watch our backs.”

Blake grimaced. “Left on the sidelines again. Seems to be my lot in life.”

“Buck up, soldier, at least you won’t ruin that pretty face of yours in a firefight.” Renna smirked. “I mean, it’s not like you have much else going for you.”

“Hey…” Blake protested, but his eyes sparkled. “I thought we were friends.”

“Are you two quite finished?” Finn asked coldly.

Renna glanced at him in surprise. Was he actually jealous? “I think so. Are we all clear on the plan?” Everyone around the table nodded. “Good, then I’m going to head to the mess before I pass out. I’m starving.”

Finn got to his feet with her. “I’ll come with you.”

Together, they left the comm room. Finn matched his long stride to hers, and Renna was glad. Her head still felt swimmy, like the whole ship could tilt at any moment. Keeping herself together in that room had taken more out of her than she’d expected. His odd behavior hadn’t helped either.

She let her fingers trail along the cool metal of the walls as they walked, sneaking glances at Finn from the corner of her eye. It had only been two weeks since she’d seen him last, but it felt like everything had changed. She didn’t even know where they stood anymore. Or what her own feelings for him were.