The Darenti Paradox: Colonial Explorer Corps Book 4 by Huni Julia

Author:Huni, Julia
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: IPH Media
Published: 2022-10-20T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Lee peered into the hole as our Darenti escort disappeared into the inky darkness. “The fabled Pebble of Avon couldn’t be somewhere easy to access, like an open air museum or a jewelry store.”

“It wouldn’t be much of a quest if it was easy to get.” Joss flicked his grav belt controls and descended into the opening. This one appeared to be deeper than the entrance to Lei-hawm’s Spire City. Joss’s head disappeared into the darkness. Then a light flickered on—his holo-ring. The faint glow grew smaller and smaller, then disappeared completely.

“Torres, report.” Despite the sheen of sweat on his upper lip, Lee’s tone remained crisp and authoritative.

After a long pause—undoubtedly Joss trying to rattle Lee—he replied, “Looks good. There’s a long tunnel—tall enough that Tiah shouldn’t have to duck. We’re waiting.”

Lee, Tiah, Zina, and I exchanged a look. With a heavy sigh, Lee waved toward the hole. “Let’s get this over with.”

As Zina slowly dropped into the hole, I raised an eyebrow at Tiah. “Do you need help with the grav belt? I can tether yours to mine.”

She rubbed her forehead. “I’ve been practicing at home.”

“Are you okay?”

“I’ve had a headache since I got to Darenti. Maybe I’m allergic to something here.” She descended into the dark entry. “See you at the bottom.”

I turned to Lee. His pale face looked green, although that might have been reflected by the foliage overhead. I didn’t suffer from claustrophobia, but I knew it could be debilitating. I touched his arm. “Are you okay with this? You can go back to the shuttle. I’ll tell them I sent you—to relay communications or something.”

He sucked in a deep breath, then his eyes hardened. “Don’t try to do me any favors, Kassis. I’m fine.” He brushed past me. “I’m not letting you and your boyfriend ridicule me.”

“My boyfriend? Joss?” I laughed. “Please. Have you seen him around women? He’s like a kid in a candy store. I’m not interested in a guy who can’t make up his mind.” Just to goad him a little, I added, “He is pretty hot, though.”

Lee swung around, hovering over the lip of the entrance, scowling. “Why do women always look for ‘hot’?” He started down, flicking his holo-ring to life.

“Same reason men do.” I smirked until he disappeared into the shaft. I certainly wasn’t going to tell him I thought he was hotter than Joss. Yeesh, when had that happened? As I waited, I gave myself a stern lecture. I didn’t need to develop a crush in the middle of a mission—especially not on Derek Lee. Time to focus on the Stone.

When his light grew dim, I followed into the darkness. The glow of my ring illuminated the sides of the tunnel as I dropped. Like the path through the jungle, the sides were smooth as if they had been carved by a single sharp cutter. Near the surface, cleanly cut roots showed as pale circles and ovals against the deep brown of the dirt. Farther down, the roots disappeared, leaving a uniform curve of soil.

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