Angels and Ministers of Grace

Novels:

The Huntress

Angels and Ministers of Grace

Last Chance: Sunscapes Trilogy Book 1

Here There Be Dragons: Sunscapes Trilogy Book 2

Light of Kaska

No Such Thing

The Third Sign

DeeDeck Design

Short Stories:

Stepping Stones: The Huntress Series of Short Stories

Felinar Chronicles

Lover’s Gift Regained

Kernel of Creation

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"Angels and ministers of grace defend us!"

–William Shakespeare; Hamlet, Act I Scene IV

Chapter 1

What a mess, Anya sighed, staring at the two holographic figures standing on her palm unit. Except mess was too mild a word—catastrophe was better. An all-out disaster in the making. And these two people were her last slim hope of averting it.

Unfortunately, they look terribly helpful. The man could have been made of stone and the woman had a face as cold as a glacier and eyes like diamond chips. These were military holoscans, typically stern and uncompromising, but Anya didn’t take comfort in their unsmiling faces and hard expressions.

Searching their rigid features for even the faintest hint of compassion, she didn’t lift her head when the door to the cabin slid open and Jarden floated through, graceful as always even in zero gravity. Brooding again? the dark-skinned woman asked in disapproving tones.

Still not looking up from her study of their would-be rescuers, Anya snorted. Can’t imagine why. I’m only a fugitive. On the run from the Telepath Guild, hunted by their crazy-ass assassin, had to abandon my home and family, and managed to drag my best friends along with me on this fun-filled, life-threatening space safari. Why would I brood?

Jarden made a disgusted sound in the back of her throat and pushed off from the door, floating to where Anya snuggled in her sleeping cocoon against one wall. You’ll give yourself an ulcer.

Anya ignored her until the other woman ran disruptive fingers through the holograms, crinkling them like ripples on water. Irritably, she glanced up into her friend’s shrewd eyes, but another voice interrupted before she could growl. And guilt is useless, especially unfounded guilt. You flail yourself to no purpose.

Anya looked to where Rie had attached herself to the ceiling and contorted into the proper form for her meditation. She seemed oblivious to her human companions, the blue of her scaled skin gleaming richly in the dim light and her opalescent eyes closed.

With a wry twist of her mouth, Anya answered them in as dry a tone as she could manage. So speak Wisdom and Conscience, my two constant, unquiet companions.

Girl, you better moderate that tone. Jarden shook a stern finger at her as she drifted away, but a smirk altered her elegant features. Tall and willowy with a cap of dark curls and large, absorbing black eyes, Jarden’s appearance was a far cry from her practical nature. She had kept Anya solidly grounded on this harrowing trip and Anya didn’t know what she would have done without her.

Anya was about to apologize for her attitude when Jarden asked, Where’s Ces? with a crease of concern between her brows.

With a little grimace and a sympathetic clench of her stomach, Anya tilted her head toward the lavatory. In the small silence, they could hear the sound of retching.

Poor baby’s gonna turn herself inside out doing that, Jar whispered with a wince, before looking at Anya with lifted eyebrows. Still won’t let you help her, huh?

Anya pinched the bridge of her nose to hide frustration while she shook her head. Some people couldn’t handle zero grav and Cesna was one of them. She was also incredibly stubborn and refused to allow Anya to relieve her nausea. She keeps saying I can’t tire myself out on her.

Well, she’s got a point. What if that guy catches up with us? We don’t know what kind of ship he took or if it’s faster than this one. What if he’s already at Far Reach Station waiting for us? You’d be our only protection.

Anya looked away from the calm certainty in her friend’s eyes with a bitter twist of her mouth. Why argue again? All three of them had refused over and over to leave her…and they did have a point. They were no safer away from her than with her. So what did the captain say? she asked instead.

He said no, of course. I got the whole sob story, too—this isn’t a cruise liner, he’s not even licensed to carry passengers, we’ve got his cabin and he has to sleep with the cargo, isn’t that enough? Why do we need to waste precious energy on artificial grav when we’re almost there? Jarden snorted expressively before turning a merciless grin on Anya. He did want you join him for dinner, though.

That damned thief took a king’s ransom to ferry us to Far Reach! He can buy another ship with what I gave him and he’s complaining about wasting energy? He can damned well spike the grav for a sick woman. Fuming, Anya hung motionless in her cocoon a moment longer before wriggling out of it with a curse. Dinner, huh? Well, he’ll get more than he bargained for today. Kicking off the wall, she arrowed toward the door.

Careful with that one, Ani. He’s slime.

Don’t I know it, she tossed with a sneer of disgust over her shoulder. That man’s got faster fingers than a Verdet on a bargain hunt.

At least she’d made one of them laugh. Small reward for dragging them into exile with her. Jarden would call her a drama queen if she ever said as much, but Anya knew better. There was no going home. Not ever again. Clenching her jaw with grim determination, she launched herself toward Captain Treshi’s makeshift quarters.

Dinner started out much as she’d expected. Their burly host did a lot of ‘accidental’ touching and bumping against her, but she worked on him as subtly as a diplomat and by the end of the meal he was clucking like a broody hen over Cesna’s predicament. That poor girl! was his catch phrase and he declared that he would start up the grav drive immediately after dinner. And he meant it—no warning, no gradual induction, just immediate resumption of gravity. Even Anya staggered and she was standing at his elbow when he did it.

Inwardly cringing at what might have happened to her friends—in her mind’s eye she could see Rie plummeting from the ceiling—she made her best gracious escape and hurried down the corridor to the cabin they all shared. She should have known better.

All three calmly perched on their baggage, Rie and Jarden sitting solicitously on either side of a still very pale Cesna. She looked up with a smile, though, when Anya entered. My god, Ani, I can’t believe you loosened up the tight ass! Her warm brown eyes widened in mock horror. You didn’t actually sleep with him, did you?

With a relieved grin, Anya stepped into the room and hunkered down in front of them. Sleep wasn’t what he wanted to do but no. It didn’t come to that. How are you feeling?

Much better. The room stopped spinning when I hit the floor. Cesna’s eyes narrowed on her with uncharacteristic seriousness. You pushed him, didn’t you?

Anya dropped her eyes to the floor between her feet with mild guilt. Only a little and not for long. He was pretty easy. She glanced up at them from beneath her lashes, unable to suppress the mischievous curl of her lips. And I don’t know how long it’ll last. Can you see him mothering the cargo loaders when we dock? ‘You’re too skinny! You need to eat.’

Cesna’s infectious laughter was music to her ears. The little redhead had been so miserably ill for so many days. Anya and Jar exchanged a grin that was as much relief as humor as the dark skinned woman ran with the ball. Or how about, ‘You’ll strain your back! Sit down before you hurt yourself.’

In a rare show of shared humor, even Rie threw in a comment, her large opalescent eyes sliding through shades of blue while she smiled over Cesna’s head. ‘Here, let me.’

The image of their self-serving host offering to shoulder a load for someone had them all giggling madly. It went on longer than the joke really called for, but it was a badly needed release of tension. If the laughter had an edge of hysteria, so what? None of them was used to running for their lives—a little hysteria was expected.

Anya was still trying to muffle her snickers behind one hand when the captain knocked. Standing, Anya took a quick step to the door. Yes?

I brought food for your friend…

Cesna jumped to her feet. Oh good! I'm starving—

Anya made a sharp gesture but Jarden was a step ahead, jerking Ces back down beside her with a warning hiss. Rie was already up and moving toward the lavatory with a kind of stunning grace that would make a cat envious. Their host lived under the impression that he was carrying four humans since tolerance for aliens was scarce, so Rie kept out of sight.

Just a second… Anya stalled while gesturing frantically for Ces to lie down and play sick. The last thing they needed was for the captain to decide she'd been faking illness and turn the grav drive off again.

Cesna was often oblivious and easily distracted, but no one had ever accused her of being stupid. In a flash she curled in a fetal position with her head in Jar’s lap, moaning softly in misery. With her eyes closed and her bright red hair contrasting against pale skin, it was a pretty convincing act.

Pressing her lips together to hold back a smile, Anya triggered the door release. So considerate of you, Captain Treshi, she exclaimed at the sight of the burly man hovering with a tray of food in hand.

He swayed back and forth, trying to catch a glimpse of the cabin behind her. How’s your friend?

Oh, she’s recovering, but it takes time you know. I'm sure she’ll be up and about by the time we dock tomorrow, but what she needs most right now is nourishment and rest. She reached out and gently pried the tray from his grip, easing back into the room as she continued, Thank you so much for thinking of her. Really, you’ve been so helpful and goodhearted. We’ll all sleep better knowing a man like you is on our side. See you tomorrow morning?

He opened his mouth to respond, but she’d already touched the door control and it slid shut before he could get a word out. Listening carefully, Anya made sure he was moving off down the corridor before turning around.

Laid that on thick, didn’t you? Jar watched her with a sardonic lift to her eyebrow.

Ces sat up with a grimace. Yeah, goodhearted?

Anya made a face as she handed the tray to an eager Cesna. The dangers of improvising. Besides, would you rather I’d let him in here to coo at Ces? The redhead mumbled something that sounded disgusted but was too busy filling her face to be coherent. Anya tapped her arm. Hey, slow down. You’ll give your stomach a shock and end up right back in the lav, losing it down the tube.

Cesna muttered something else unrecognizable and gave her a black look, but she did slow down a bit. Sharing a look of amused tolerance with Jar, Anya stepped up on their baggage to reach her sleeping cocoon. Unlatching it from the wall, she rummaged around inside.

Rie emerged from the lavatory and moved to resume her spot next to Ces. Anya had known the Thlassnian for several years now, but it was still a conscious effort not to stop whatever she was doing and simply watch her. Rie had reassured her most humans reacted the same way to Thlassnians, but Anya still thought she was a living piece of art. The fine scales of Rie’s skin shimmered with richer color than any jewel she’d ever seen and the way she moved made Anya think of silk in the wind, all flowing lines and impossible grace. Next to her elegance, Anya always felt a little like a clod of dirt. She often wondered what Rie saw in them that kept her from just picking up and heading back to her homeworld.

Pulling out the holo-projector she’d used earlier, Anya jumped lightly down from the luggage and folded herself onto the floor in front of her friends. I figure now’s a good time to go over what’ll happen tomorrow, since we’re all here, awake, and…you know. Not puking.

Ces made a little face at her then finished the last bite of food and guzzled the drink with as much enthusiasm as a bar-hound. Dropping the cup onto the tray with a sigh and a protracted belch, she stood and put the tray by the door, ignoring Jarden’s disgusted mutter.

Whenever you’re ready, Ces, Anya murmured dryly and received a beaming smile in return while the redhead settled next to her on the floor.

I feel much better now.

Wonderful. Okay, here’s the plan. We get off this tub and onto the station with as little fanfare as possible. I want us all to stick together as a group—no wandering off, no straggling behind. Like Jar said earlier, the TG’s man could already be ahead of us. If that’s the case, nothing’s going to stop him from taking us except me. Not great odds, but it’s all we’ve got.

She paused, amazed by her friends’ intent, serious, and astoundingly trusting faces. Not one questioned her, though they had every right. With a hand that trembled slightly, she activated the military holograms. These two are our last hope in human territory. If they give us the boot, all we’ll have left are the alien systems…and humans aren’t too damned popular out there. So these two might just be our only hope.

She didn’t tell her friends what she was really planning if things turned out that way—they wouldn’t understand.

The woman is Captain Marta Jamison, first in command. The man is Lieutenant Commander Jason Salvatore, her second on the station and the one in charge of security. He’s who we have to head for first, but remember how much time we wasted on the other stations while we waited for someone to get around to us?

They all nodded dutifully and Anya felt a dismaying urge to let out a nervous giggle. Clearing her throat, she continued, Once I thought he had us for sure. This time I don’t want to wait a second longer than we have to, so I think we should refuse to be registered into the system by anyone but Salvatore.

She paused, waiting for the protests—that kind of action was just as likely to get them thrown into the brig as get the second’s attention. But they only watched her with solemn eyes. Either they trusted her way too much or they could all see how desperate a situation they were in. Probably a little of both.

That way we remain anonymous until we see him and can talk him and the captain into helping us. So…what do you think?

They were silent for a long moment. Then Rie gestured languidly at the stills of Far Reach’s commanders. I have a good feeling about these two.

Rie honey, that’s what you said last time, Jar said with wry amusement.

Then, I was wrong. Now I am not.

What makes you so sure?

I dreamt of Far Reach Station.

And how were they supposed to argue with the calm conviction in her large, luminous eyes? For Thlassnians, dreaming was not a common nightly occurrence—her people viewed it with a kind of mysticism.

Shrugging, Anya closed the hologram and rose to her feet. I hope you’re right, Blue Lady. Because if you’re not, we’ll all be swimming in the waters of your homeworld.

She’d meant it as a joke, but Rie gave her a small smile. I would make you welcome.

It was a generous offer and Anya was momentarily flustered. I’m sure you would, but I don’t think the rest of your people would appreciate three pruned ape-things floundering around and stinking up their water. She leaned forward and gave her friend a quick kiss on the cheek, the scaled flesh an exotic silk under her lips. Thanks, though. You’re very sweet to offer.

Rie’s expression became mildly distressed. I like the way you smell, she murmured then frowned when the three humans laughed.

Jar gave her a one-armed hug. Thanks, babe, but I get swimmer’s itch.

And salt water does horrible things to my hair. Ces tossed her red mane over one shoulder with a vain primp.

Anya grinned. Okay, kids, we’ve got a big day tomorrow and we could all use a good night’s rest. Especially you, Ces. I think you should take the bed.

Whatever you say, Ani. I could sleep for a year.

Without further discussion they began moving the luggage, stacking it against one wall and strapping it in. They’d been sleeping in wall cocoons in zero G, since the bed was useless and all the baggage had been webbed down to the floor. But now they had to shift things around enough to make room on the floor for sleeping and to allow space for the bed to fold down from the wall. That done, Cesna fell on the cushioned surface and was snoring softly within moments. The other three arranged themselves as best they could in the cramped space and tried gamely to get some sleep.

Anya did no more than doze for most of the night, too anxious and uncomfortable. She’d forgotten how difficult it was to find the right sleeping position on a hard surface—in zero grav there was no wrong way to sleep. Physical discomfort just added another dimension to her worries and fears, turning sleep into an elusive ambition.

A slight change in the inertia of the ship brought her out of a dream in which she argued endlessly and uselessly with a pair of marble statues. Sighing with achy weariness, she slid out of her makeshift bed and checked the ship’s position on the console by the door. They were in deceleration, on approach to the moon that held the Far Reach station.

Trying to ease the sudden thumping of her heart, she stepped into the lavatory for her morning ablutions. After one glance, she carefully avoided her reflection, the dark circles under her deep blue eyes and the gray quality of her skin against the white of her hair leaving her with a dismal, foreboding feeling.

By the time she re-entered the cabin, Rie and Jar were also awake and whispering around the still snoring Cesna. They had both spent their time in the lav and were dressing when Anya finally leaned over Ces. Ces-silly…come on, wake up, she called softly, rubbing a soothing hand on her back. Ces had a tendency to wake up grumpy and a gentle rousing worked best. It’s time to get up.

With a grunt, Cesna rolled over onto her back and cracked one eye, her voice a hoarse whisper. Already?

Sorry, baby. I’d let you sleep, but… Anya shrugged and Ces groaned miserably, grinding her fists into her eyes like a child. Then she sat up, swinging her legs over the side of the bed as Anya stood to give her room. Grumbling under her breath, she staggered to her feet and across the cabin into the lavatory.

Okay, Anya said, turning to the other two, let’s find cover.

They searched through the luggage until they found four voluminous cloaks with hoods that would shadow their features enough not to be recognized. Laying hers aside, Anya sat on the bed and methodically began French-braiding her long, snow-white hair. Her friends practiced similar calming rituals, Rie contorting herself into a meditative position and Jar pacing deliberately along the length of the cabin.

Only Ces was a bundle of nerves when she emerged from the lav. Sitting down next to Anya while she finished tying off her hair, Ces fidgeted in an endless way that tightened the muscles of Anya’s neck until she gritted her teeth. Will you do mine, too? the redhead asked plaintively. Anya was on the verge of snapping at her to do her own when she realized Ces needed to be soothed. With a soundless sigh, Anya turned her friend so she could brush her wild red tresses and begin braiding.

By the time the ship gave a final shudder and lay still in its berth, the four women had calmly assembled by the hatch, waiting for the captain to break the seal. He ambled down the corridor toward them, glancing at their strange attire with raised eyebrows. Well, we’re at Far Reach. If you ladies need anything else, you just remember Captain Treshi.

You’ve been very gracious, Captain. All we need now is for our baggage to be unloaded by customs and your obligation to us is finished.

When Anya said nothing else, he shifted uncomfortably then pressed the hatch release. That’s no problem. This is a tight run station and the loaders are first class. You won’t have to wait at all.

Good to hear. Thank you, Captain.

That was all the attention she could spare the man. Without anything further, she swept past him and into the airlock, feeling her three companions crowding close behind. When the station’s systems confirmed that the pressure was equalized, the door at the other end of the airlock opened for them and they moved into the docking area.

People in gray uniforms bustled all over the echoing space and the sudden pressure of so many increased Anya’s anxiety to a fine edge. Without hesitation, though, she headed for the customs area where passengers checked in and their identity was logged into the station’s system in the form of their DNA. Once logged, this became public knowledge and anyone—including their stalker—would know exactly when they’d arrived. Anya planned on thwarting such easy access, at least for a while.

The young man standing at the archway didn’t bother to look up at them as they approached. Please place a hand or other appendage on the scanner. Are you here for business or pleasure?

I’m afraid I can’t do that, Anya murmured gently.

The young man’s head snapped up in surprise. Sorry? He eyed the four of them with a crease between his brows, shifting the scanner from one hand to the other.

I can’t allow you to scan me. I’ll only register with Lieutenant Commander Salvatore.

But…but why?

He’s head of security, right? I’m afraid my situation is a matter of life and death and I need to see him. Her voice took on a harder edge when he only stared at her blankly. Now.

Shifting again, he glanced around as if looking for rescue. Ma’am, he’s a very busy man. I don’t think I can—

Yes, you can. You have no choice. We’ll wait right here for him. Very gently and with a stab of guilt, Anya pushed him.

He folded like a wet noodle. I’ll try my best, but it might be a while. Why don’t you wait over there, out of the way?

He gestured to where their luggage was being piled with swift efficiency then he edged through the archway. Anya had a sudden lunatic urge to dive after him and just disappear into the station, but reined it in. When the TG operative arrived, they would be virtually helpless without protection, no matter what Jar said about her talent.

Turning to her friends, she motioned them over to the luggage. Stay close, keep your eyes open, and whatever you do, try not to call attention to yourselves.

She got shadowy nods from within their hoods as they huddled together. Anya took up a position in front of them as they backed against the baggage, swallowing dryly while she searched the crowded docking bay for anyone out of place. She hadn’t ever seen the Guild man, but he was as distinctive to her as a shout. She’d know him anywhere.

Peripherally she saw the young customs officer return to his place. She also became aware of two armed persons loitering close by. Giving them the benefit of a calm direct stare, she admitted to herself that they might end up as prisoners after all. Trying not to think negatively, she set herself to wait.

Chapter 2

It took longer than she’d thought. Anya was starting to see shadows everywhere by the time Salvatore came through the archway. She recognized him immediately but was stunned by the difference between this man and his holo. The holographic Salvatore had been stone, but the live version was a controlled tempest, fierce boiling life held to reasonable levels by an act of will. He had a short conversation with the customs officer before snatching the scanner from the youngster with a look of searing contempt.

Anya winced her sympathy for the young man before gulping in trepidation as Salvatore turned and prowled toward them. The set expression on his face was not encouraging. Taking a deep breath, she squared her shoulders and reminded herself that she was responsible for the safety of the three standing behind her.

Salvatore stopped in front of her and gave each of them a hard look. Distractedly, Anya noticed he was an attractive man, with regular features, dark hair and even darker eyes, set off nicely by the blue of his uniform. Those eyes fixed on her and she tried not to cringe at the flat grimness in them.

Peterson tells me you refused to be scanned— he began in a voice tight with controlled force, but he stopped abruptly when Anya reached out and touched a finger to the surface of the scanner. Briefly though—she was trembling visibly and didn’t want him to see. Tucking her hands back into the folds of her cloak, she watched him frown as the scanner checked her DNA from the print she’d left there. She knew the instant her name appeared.

His head shot up, expression blank. But there was more than enough to read in his eyes. No longer flat, they speared her with a vibrant force that drove all the way to her toes and stopped her breathing. It lasted only a second before he glanced back down at the scanner. She had no idea what that look meant, but she fought for calm, breathing carefully through the thunder of her heart.

"The Anya Vaedrin. The singer."

His voice was toneless and not a question, but she answered anyway. Yes. Clearing her throat uncomfortably at the breathless sound of her own voice, she continued, My companions are part of my original crew. Jarden Malcolm, Cesna Conrad, and Rie of Thlassnia.

Without expression, he held out the scanner and her three companions took turns touching its surface. When all were registered, he looked at Anya again and she felt her stomach clench at the sudden anger baking off of him. Strangely, his eyes had returned to their flat expression and when he spoke, his tone was conversational. "I don’t know what brings you out so far and I don’t really care. If you think your face and fame will bring you special treatment, Earth Angel, you’re seriously mistaken."

The contemptuous curl of his lip when he said her stage nickname made Anya wince. His voice started to rise and she felt an answering panic at the attention he drew from onlookers. I have an entire station to run and I can’t take time out to cater to the whims of some spoiled little rich girl who thinks the entire universe revolves—

Anya held out a hand toward him, trying to stem the rising flood of his anger. Please! He stopped and stared at her as that one word hung between them. After a moment she continued, trying to keep her voice from shaking. "I would never be so petty and inconsiderate. What I told your man was true—it is a matter of life and death. Please, we need your help."

He glanced down at the hand she’d extended. When she noticed the tremor in her slim fingers, she jerked her hand back into the cloak. Biting her bottom lip in aggravation, she watched him watch her with a kind of speculation.

After a moment, he grimaced and ran an impatient hand through his dark hair, making it spike in all directions. All right, we’ll talk in my office. This better be good, he finished in a low mutter under his breath, but Anya heard it and flinched.

So far, their relations with Far Reach were not going well. Turning to her friends, Anya mouthed the words stay close before following after the station’s second in command. She had to trot to catch up with him as he passed through the archway and she tried to give the customs officer an apologetic look, but his head hung dejectedly and he didn’t see.

They traveled down one narrow corridor after another, obviously not taking the public ways through the station to get to his office. Anya supposed this was the quickest way and he wasn’t doing it for their benefit, but she was grateful, nonetheless. The less exposure they had, the safer they were.

They finally reached a set of doors that opened at his touch and he walked in without seeing if they followed. As a matter of fact, he hadn’t once checked to be sure they were behind him on their trek through the station. Anya had a moment’s irritation before he turned to them, leaning casually on the edge of his desk with crossed arms. All right, what’s a matter of life and death?

Anya made sure her friends were with her and the doors were closed, waving her companions to chairs set up along one wall before facing him. His eyes narrowed on her, but that was the only visible expression of the anger she still felt roiling under the surface of his control.

Taking a deep breath, she began cautiously, It would be better if you could reach the captain and have her join us. That way I can tell you both.

You can tell me now, he snapped, his tone hard and unyielding.

Anya didn’t budge. This was too important and time was not on their side. I have to tell you both. I may as well do it once instead of twice.

He fixed a stony look on her. She held herself still, holding his gaze calmly. She didn’t want to antagonize him, but on this she had to stand firm. For long minutes they stared at each other, neither backing down.

Anya started wondering how long this would last when the door slid open and a stocky man in a station uniform sauntered in, looking down at something in his hand. Hey LC, Jonas ain’t givin’ over— His gaze rose above the object in his hand and his eyes widened in surprise when he saw that Salvatore wasn’t alone. Oh, sorry, boss. I didn’t know— He came to attention, his face turning a bright red all the way to his shiny bald top.

Salvatore glanced over at him casually. Anya would have thought he wasn’t concerned at all with the man’s entrance except she’d seen a muscle in his jaw clench when he was forced to look away from her. Let’s see it, Coop.

The older man stepped forward stiffly and handed him a flat pad. Salvatore touched the screen and glanced over what was there quickly before handing it back to the bald man. Tell him he’s barred from Whitey’s for good if he doesn’t roll.

The man grinned in quick appreciation for a moment before remembering his boss’s guests and sobering. Yes, sir. I’ll report when he talks. He sketched a quick salute and nodded abruptly at Anya before marching out the door.

Salvatore returned his dark gaze to Anya, but now it was guarded instead of demanding. After assessing her for another moment, a swift frown passed over his face before he stood and rounded the desk. Touching the screen there, he waited a second until a woman’s curt voice responded. Anya couldn’t see the screen, but she was sure it was the captain and drew a long silent breath of relief. One step at a time, she thought.

I have a situation here, Captain. Could you come to my office?

On my way, was the abrupt response and Salvatore straightened. His eyes met hers again as he rounded the desk and for the first time he smiled at her. It wasn’t a pleasant smile, though, and she couldn’t help a slight shiver at the dangerous edge to it. And so you get your way again, Angel. The captain’s coming.

She dropped her eyes in consternation. Her