Stratotech 027: Book One of the 027 Series by M. T. Lancet

Author:M. T. Lancet [Lancet, M. T.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-07-11T22:00:00+00:00

014

“You leave her alone, or I’m out.”

The thought flashed through Rex’s mind as she lay atop her blankets, too hot and angry to sleep. It was what Rider had said after Roth accused Rex of trying to shoot him. She had only been on the verge of consciousness, but now, with her mind whirling in anger after Alelta’s accusations, she remembered it.

“You can’t,” Roth had said.

Rider was in trouble. Judging by their interaction, Rider didn’t want to be in whatever position Roth had him in—at least, not entirely.

“You won’t be safe.” Rider’s face had been fearful when he said it.

Roth was blackmailing Rider or promising him something—either way, he was telling Rider to do something he didn’t want to do. And something was holding Rider back from breaking away. Rage smoldered in Rex’s chest. Whatever Roth was doing, she had to stop it. She had to protect Rider. Because she couldn’t protect her mother, and because, for years, she couldn’t protect herself. It was different now. Now, she could fight back. For herself. For the people she loved. A twinge of uncertainty rang inside her. Did she love Rider? Was he as important to her as her mother, or Kani, or even her old master, Juko? She felt a desire to protect him, just as he had protected her from Roth’s accusation and the assassin in the attack. She owed him a debt. That was all.

“And I pay my debts,” she whispered, nodding with finality.

***

She didn’t have a chance to talk to Rider alone until the next afternoon, when they were allowed a breath of fresh air on the Ledge while several of the other teams were being fitted. Rex went some distance away from the crowd and gestured for Rider to come stand beside her. The other boys on their team were grouped together and in the midst of an impromptu arm-wrestling contest on the railing. Bridget was talking and laughing with her “friend” Alec. As Rider settled his arms on the rail overlooking the compound, Rex inclined her head slightly toward him.

“Tell me about Roth,” she said in a low voice. She knew now was the time to ask questions, while Roth was detained in the fitting chamber.

Rider tensed. Rex felt it rather than saw it. “What about Roth?”

Rex gestured as if she were talking about any random thing, conscious of the proximity of Bridget and Alec. “How he’s blackmailing you.”

“He’s not blackmailing me,” Rider said, with just a little too much disinterest. “He’s just a jerk.”

“As your captain, I order you to tell me.”

With a surreptitious glance around, Rider sighed. “He’s promised me a high position in the pack.”

“If . . . ?” Rex knew there was a condition. People like Roth didn’t give out favors.

Rider’s voice, when he spoke, was barely audible, even for Rex’s ear implants. “If I pay.”

“Pay him? How? There’s no money up here.”

“Evidently he’s got some. In any case, we’ll be sent on a mission after our training. That’s what I’ve heard, anyway.

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