Keeping the wrong company leads to trouble:
Kimi basked in the
warmth and feelings of security until they veered off the main concourse into a
far less populated corridor. Only then did she suddenly wonder why she felt so good.
This wasn’t her. No
matter how much she enjoyed the contentment that had been missing from her life
since losing her parents, it couldn’t be real. Yet it lulled her, a siren song
that insisted everything was wonderful.
They veered again,
this time toward a closed door which opened automatically at their approach.
“Through here,
girl.” Baaniil spoke for the first time, his voice arctic cold.
It appeared to be
another, albeit far smaller shuttle bay. Yes, some seats in the middle, the
small arched doorways that Kimi had supposed were meant for private vessels to
dock at—it looked almost identical to the much larger one she’d come from.
She fought to
overcome the happy, floating feelings that left her drifting under the control
of the two Paatiin. With effort, she managed a weak protest. “This is no
medical facility. Am I drugged? Did you drug me? Where are you taking me?”
Neither answered.
They tightened their grips on her arms and propelled her forward, heading
toward one of the doors. Beyond it, the glittery surface of a ship like
Laaruu’s parted open.
Kimi thought of
bracing her feet. Of fighting the Paatiin who were undoubtedly abducting her.
Yet her body wouldn’t cooperate. It kept right on walking, heading for parts
unknown.
The only thing she
seemed to retain any control over was her mouth. She ignored the muggy,
dreamlike thought that drifted through her head: why bother?
Instead, she
summoned what strength she had and poured it into her voice. “Hey. Hey! Laaruu!
Help! Kidnapping!”
“Shut up, stupid booniiv.” Her good pal Waaleen wasn’t so
pleasant any longer. He yanked her arm hard.
Nevertheless, Kimi
swore she heard Laaruu’s voice calling her name from far away.
How sweet. He’s worried about me.
Damn
it, get your head together! Fight!
Kimi
had no chance to act, had she been able to. A few steps from the hatch, Waaleen
turned to her, his hand flashing out.
The survivor part
that had been shrieking in the back of her skull all along tried to make her
cringe from the blow heading her way. But all Kimi could do was stand there and
watch.
Releasing in March (date subject to change)
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