Eclipse the Moon by Jessie Mihalik

Author:Jessie Mihalik
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2022-07-12T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nineteen

I awoke after lunch to an empty stomach and aching heart. I ignored both and got ready for the day. I didn’t have time to mope, because I needed to figure out what the attackers’ plan was—and if Morten was involved—before they arrived at their destination.

I’d wasted far too much time on personal problems over the past few days, so I walled off my pain, painted on a sunny smile, and ventured out of my room to find some food.

In the galley, I found Tavi and Torran sitting at the bar, speaking in low voices, while Luna finished her lunch. The fluffy little burbu chirruped in greeting, and I cooed back at her, some of my tension unknotting.

“Any updates?” I asked Tavi. We were still on course for Expedition, but she could tell me if anything had come in that wasn’t in the ship’s log.

The captain turned to face me. She frowned as she looked me over, but she didn’t comment. “The FHP ship is still shadowing us. Are you hungry? There’s leftover pasta from last night or I can make you something.”

I waved her off and went hunting for the pasta. Once I’d warmed up a large bowl, I joined her and Torran at the bar and picked up the conversation. “Do you think the FHP knows we’re onboard, or are they just being their normal asshole selves?”

“Varro hid your jump from the station,” Torran said. “But they still suspect you’re here. They just don’t know how.”

Tavi nodded. “We’ll have to be very careful when we land or dock, depending on where the Renegade Tide ends up.”

I’d tried to contact Nick earlier with no luck, so I hoped they were okay.

Tavi leaned close. “What’s wrong?” she whispered. “You look worse than when you arrived. And if you’ll recall, you arrived bloody and unconscious.”

My smile turned genuine. “Thanks for that, Captain. You have a real way with words. Torran is a lucky man.”

She pinned me in place with a look, not letting me off the hook that easily. “You’re deflecting. Did Liang or Siarvez threaten you?”

I frowned at her. “What? No.” My anger ignited. “Did they threaten you? Because Liang swore he and his family wouldn’t harm you or the crew.” I hadn’t thought to make Siarvez vow, too. If my mistake had put Tavi and Starlight at risk, I’d never forgive myself.

Torran interrupted whatever Tavi was going to say. “What was the exact wording of the vow?”

“You’ll have to ask Varro. Exact wording isn’t my forte. But it was close to what I just told you.” I hesitated. “Is that bad?”

Torran shook his head. “It’s far better than I hoped.” He gave me a small smile. “You must have impressed him.”

“Well, I was trying to look all intimidating when I demanded he promise not to hurt anyone on Starlight, so he was probably too scared to do anything else.” I leaned around Tavi and dropped my voice to a stage whisper. “And don’t tell the captain, but I was channeling her scowl.

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