Stars, Hide Your Fires by Jessica Best

Author:Jessica Best [Best, Jessica]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Quirk Books
Published: 2023-07-11T00:00:00+00:00

15

Once we’re safely in the library, Amaris retrieves her glass and pulls up a name in a language I can’t read. My heart is in my throat as we lean against the door and listen to the glass chime once, twice, and then a third time. A pointed, weathered face appears, the resolution shifting between high and low so that their features come in and out of focus as they blink at us.

In a quiet alto, this person, presumably a member of the Voyria and Amaris’s friend, says, “What’s happening up there? Is this link secure?”

“We borrowed a sec line, and the seal on my comms is still functional, so we should be fine,” says Amaris.

A fizz of static, followed by a long exhale.

“You had us worried,” says Amaris’s friend. “I’ve been trying to get through to you.”

“The station is on lockdown. Nothing in or out,” says Amaris. “Have you heard the news?”

“All transmissions coming from the station are triple encrypted.

Most of it we’re still trying to crack, but we’ve got the essentials. We know he’s been killed. What stage are we—”

“Reza,” Amaris interjects, darting a look in my direction. “I’m with a new acquaintance. Her name is—” She hesitates, and I realize I never properly introduced myself. “Cass?” she says, half a question.

She angles the glass toward me and I wave. Reza raises an eyebrow. “Weird time to be picking up acolytes,” they say.

“Oh, no,” I say, “I’m just the poor cuss someone’s trying to pin the murder on.”

“She’s been helpful,” says Amaris briskly. “Listen, we need to know. Can we account for everyone in our camp aware of”—she glances at me again—“our current operation on this station?”

“I’ll check,” Reza says. There’s a long silence as their eyes scan over something we can’t see.

“Everything looks good,” they say at last. “Leyda says there’s nothing amiss on her end.”

“See?” I tell Amaris. “The palace sweep was just for show. They’re trying to trick everyone into thinking they’re still in control of the situation. It’s just like I said, precious.”

Amaris lets out a shuddery breath before jerking her head up. “Wait. Precious?”

I wink at her. “Trying out a new nickname in case one of the guests tries to talk to us again. What do you think?”

“That sounds like a cat with a squashy face who lives on a pillow,” Amaris grumbles.

“So, no?” I say.

“Absolutely not,” she says. “Please restart to play again.” She’s smiling, though. Probably because she’s just learned that everyone in her secret club is safe, but I like to think it might have to do with me, too.

She turns her attention back to Reza. “It’s not looking good. Whoever’s behind this wants Cass to take the fall as a representative of the Voyria. And you know intergalactic parties are poised to act, depending on how things shake out. I need you to do some digging for us so we can reach a conclusion before the Council does and act accordingly.”

“Say the word,” says Reza. “Unless it’s literal digging. My joints are stiff as a corpse today.

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