The Cold Between by Elizabeth Bonesteel

Author:Elizabeth Bonesteel
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2016-01-23T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 24

She really did have a remarkable walk, Trey thought, watching Elena saunter easily across the shop floor. Her attire was hardly flattering—a utilitarian military-issue white tank top, and a pair of his sister’s ill-fitting tan trousers over square-toed black shoes—but her long stride accentuated the swing of her hips, and her hair tumbled over her shoulders with every step. A moment ago, before she had left him, he had thought she seemed daunted, yet she clearly knew how to play this role. He wondered if she had always been such an odd combination of instinct and self-doubt, if she would ever learn otherwise, if time would help her recognize how extraordinary she was.

He supposed he might be biased.

Elena had reached the mechanic, who turned when she spoke. Trey saw her smile, and when the man took a step toward her, she dropped one hip and tucked a lock of hair nervously behind one ear. She laughed a little at what he said and tilted her head, asking a question; the floor mechanic moved a little closer to her, hands on his hips. If she was still nervous, he could not tell.

“So what are we doing?” Ancher whispered.

“We are doing nothing,” Trey told him. “Where she and I are going, you cannot accompany us.”

“But—”

“Mr. Ancher,” Trey said firmly, never taking his eyes from Elena, “you have been a part of saving my life this evening, and for that I am in your debt. But there are favors it is not in my power to grant. You must stay here.”

“How much debt are we talking about?”

Trey turned on him. “Do not assume,” he growled, “that because I am injured I cannot put you out of commission.”

Ancher grinned. “How about an interview? When you get back, of course.”

Trey’s heart turned over. He was not at all sure that day would ever come. “I will grant you that interview,” he promised, “but you must look after my family while I am gone. I would not have them endangered because they have taken me in.”

“Safe sister, safe niece, and I get an interview?” Ancher held out his hand. “Deal.”

This time Trey shook it. A million little shocks of pain went through his fingers, which somehow he had not felt when holding Elena’s hand.

He turned back. The mechanic was opening an access panel on the ship’s snub nose so Elena could see the interior. Now, Trey thought, would be a good time, before the man tried to impress her by taking the engine apart. Without looking back at Ancher, he stepped into the hangar, staying close to the wall, trying for stealth. The polymer floor was cool against his bare feet, and he thought if he could remain as nonchalant as the other civilians wandering around, looking for their shuttles or trying to find short-range transport, perhaps no one would notice his attire.

Or the blood on his face.

Or how much he was shaking.

He straightened and walked more quickly. He saw Elena ask the mechanic a

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