Born of Ice

She pointed at the monitor. “Ironically, getting shot at themselves. We need to get the ship launched as soon as they’re safely inside it.”


That motivated him. He practically flew into Devyn’s chair to start the flight prep. “Ah, damn, my head hurts. I swear I’m going to kill him for this.”

“I’m sure he did it to keep you out of trouble.”

“Yeah, but damn . . . I’m seeing stars . . . Oh wait, I am seeing stars. I’m looking at the course trajectory. Heh.”

Alix rolled her eyes as she scanned the core system and mechanics to make sure the Talia was ready to roll. She heard the motor of the ramp. Devyn and the others must be inside.

A few seconds later, they were on the bridge.

“Jump up, Baby Judy. Jump up.” Devyn nudged Omari aside.

He slid out of the chair and sat on the floor, hissing as he cradled his head in his hands. “Next time, just knock me unconscious. This stunning crap hurts.”

“Sorry.” Devyn fired the lifters.

The ship rose and slammed into the ceiling.

Sway sneered as he buckled himself to his chair. “We’re not cleared for launch.”

“No shit.” Devyn turned to Nero. “Can you get the door?”

“Already on it.” A weird yellow glow emanated from his body as he stared intently at the bay doors. “I swear you are your father’s son.”

Alix strapped herself in as Devyn gunned the engines and flew toward the closed blast doors. Cringing, she expected to slam into them and disintegrate.

Devyn didn’t back off the speed even a little. He shoved the throttles forward with a gleam in his eye that said he was barely one half-step from insanity.

We’re going to die. We’re going to die.

Alix braced herself for the impact.

Just as they reached the doors, they snapped open and the Talia flew straight out.

Nero staggered back, cursing as he put his hand to his head. “That’s some painful mojo. Thanks for the migraine, Dev. Appreciate it.”

Devyn gave him a fierce, droll stare. “You were told to take Omari out of this. Had you done what I asked, you wouldn’t have a headache now.”

“Yeah. That lasted a few seconds until I heard their plans for Ms. Gerran there. I knew you’d never let them take her so I had no choice except to come back and save your rank ass. Besides, I know Fido, and Fido would be out of it for a few while I rescued you guys.”

Omari glared at the Trisani. “I’m not a dog, Nero.”

Nero ignored him. “By the way, you guys seriously screwed up just now.”

“We know,” they said in unison.

Nero locked gazes with Devyn. “Yeah, well, what you don’t know is how grateful your girl is to you. I just thought you should know that you guys are a hero to her . . . and she thinks we’re all idiots.”

Alix gave him a peeved glare. “Thanks for outing me.”

He winked at her. “Anytime, cupcake. Now I’m taking my psychic ass to bed. That door spanked me. Get me up when The League comes to arrest us.”

Sway’s head snapped from his console to Nero. “Is that a premonition?”

He gave Sway a duh stare. “I don’t need to be psychic to know they’re coming. You guys just cold-cocked them—they tend to take that kind of thing personally.” He vanished.

Devyn met her gaze. “We need to get that tracer out of your arm immediately.”

Before she could respond, a man flashed up on the screen in front of them.

Alix froze at a face she was sure belonged to Devyn’s father. His hair was longer, worn to his shoulders, and he had a small goatee. But those dark eyes, black hair and features were unmistakable.

“What did you do?” His accusatory voice was thick with a Ritadarion accent.

Devyn cleared his throat. “This isn’t time for a lecture, Dad. I’m kind of busy.”

“Yes, you are. I located your bug with Vik and he’s deactivated it. Now you need to get the chip out of the woman. Immediately.”

“That’s what I was about to do.” Devyn frowned. “Where’s Mom?”

“Don’t ask questions you don’t want answers to.” Then he switched topics. “Right now, Merjack has called out everyone for your arrest. There’s a three-million credit bounty on your heads . . . each . . . for you to be delivered to him. The good news is he wants you alive. The bad news—”

“For that amount of money everyone will be after us.”

He nodded. “Land that damn ship before you’re blasted out of the sky.”

“Dad—”

“Don’t give me no lip, boy. You haven’t had to really run from the authorities. Take it from an expert. Get the chip out of her now and set down. I have another unmarked runner for you at Trinaro and a crew willing to cover you. Get to it.”

A tic worked in Devyn’s jaw as he held a look that said he wanted to argue but knew it was useless. “All right. I’ll change out.”

Relief shined bright in his father’s eyes. “And Devyn?”

“Yeah?”