Star Keeper by Chris Heinicke & Kate Reedwood

Author:Chris Heinicke & Kate Reedwood [Heinicke, Chris & Reedwood, Kate]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Chris Heinicke
Published: 2017-11-28T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 11

ELLIE PUSHED PAST Iris and opened the side door of the Queen Killer. Heat rushed in as she did so, accompanied by near-blinding sunlight. The man in the protected suit collapsed once getting inside, and Ellie made sure to slide the door shut immediately. “You could have killed him,” she said to Iris.

“Well, that was kind of the idea. You don't have much of a grasp of this enemy idea do you?” Iris snapped.

“Killing should be the ultimate last resort. It's a big thing to make that kind of judgement on someone,” Ellie said. She didn’t particularly like her cousin Darius right now, but he didn’t deserve to fry inside a spacesuit.

She removed the man's dark-tinted helmet—and stilled when saw the face of someone familiar, but whose name she couldn't place. “You aren’t Darius. Who are you?”

“Ace Malvern. Darius...” the man said. His voice faded off as he sucked in a sharp breath.

“Take your time, Ace. Iris, please get him some water,” Ellie said. Where had she seen this man before? “Ace, what is going on? Is Darius on the ship?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“He's here to kill Axel... On your mother's orders... You should just come home... You could stop this...” Ace said.

“She has always tried to run my life. You tell Darius to go to frell. When you have some water, I'll be sending you back to his ship,” Ellie said.

“It's hot out there, I'll die.”

“So why did you come here? Why did he pick you?”

“Because he's a fool. He doesn't realize I hate the oppression the Cruz family causes.”

Iris returned with a metal flask and offered it to him. He took a few measured gulps.

Ellie studied him. “But I’m part of the Cruz family as well. Doesn’t that mean you hate me too?”

A soft smile lifted the corners of his mouth. “You’re more like your father.”

“Why should we take you at your word?” Iris asked. “Tell us what we want to hear and then betray us? Right. If I had my glove, I'd cut you with my poisoned claws.”

“I can tell you something that Darius doesn't want you to know. He intends to kill you, Ellie,” Ace said. “I came to warn you. It couldn’t be said over the comm.”

Ellie clenched her fists. “That spoiled piece of shit. Maybe I should send my mother a message, tell her his intent. He won't last a day with Rosamunde Cruz putting a contract on him.”

“Darius is in line to be her successor now. All he needs is for you to disappear and the position is his. And Rosamunde won't listen to a daughter who's been hiding from her for months. She wants you back to use as an example to those who dare defy her.”

Ellie couldn’t help the sting those words created, even though she’d expected them. “She wants me dead too?”

“No. Back under her control and punished.”

“Of course.” Why kill me when I can still be useful? She sat back on her heels and tried to calm her racing pulse. It

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