The Star Clock Chronicles by E.J. Kitchens

Author:E.J. Kitchens [Kitchens, E.J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Brier Road Press
Published: 2021-01-14T00:00:00+00:00

There were some men who threw punches to get what they wanted and some men whose wits worked just as well. Colin figured the trim man of average height and expensive suit who’d just closed the tea shop door behind him was the latter. His gut twisted as the man’s gaze, blue-green eyes keen, moved deliberately to their table. Colin had thought there was something familiar about the commander of the Anti-Smuggling Unit during the raid, and now she sat across from him and Philip. Laughter still sparkled in her eyes as she held her steaming cup of tea, delighting in its aroma as much as its taste.

“Did your grandmother really—” She broke off, turned to follow his gaze, and jerked in surprise, telling him all he needed to know. “Daddy!” she said, rising.

Switching a silent curse to a prayer, Colin rose. He preferred men who threw punches, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t block a blow of wits or throw one himself. But if this man was anything like Vesper, he might be in trouble.

That was even if the man didn’t recognize him from the warehouse. Between the dark and Colin’s goggles, he could only hope the Time Keeper wouldn’t. Most men didn’t appreciate being yanked off ladders and deprived of their quarry.

Colin stepped away from the petite tea table with its damask cloth and fine china and watched the man who’d just reached Vesper’s side and been received with a kiss. When Vesper looked over her shoulder at Colin, there was worry in her eyes. Within a day of meeting her, he’d gathered Vesper adored her father. That the feeling was mutual was evident in their greeting. He doubted the concern was for herself. He smiled confidently at her, drew himself up, and then extended his hand. He was a respectable airship captain. He ought to act like one.

“Eoin Vanon, head of the ASU, I presume? I’m Captain O’Connor of the Bowditch ship Dawn Singer, and this is my first mate, Philip Orren. It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir.”

Vesper’s eyes flared wide and fearful and flew to his at the name Vanon, but he kept his gaze fixed on Eoin. Eoin’s eyebrow arched slightly before grasping his hand firmly. He hadn’t bothered to conceal his armband, but the rolled fabric above it indicated Eoin had the same desire as Vesper to be inconspicuous when it suited him. The hammered gold leaves and crystals encircling the leather were similar to those on Vesper’s, but the leaves had a bolder, more masculine look.

Philip greeted him quickly, without his usual affable conversationalism. Colin groaned inwardly. Philip’s was a voice Eoin might remember too.

“Please join us.” Colin motioned for the server to bring another cup of tea.

“I regretted not meeting you aboard the Dawn Singer before we left Hollym.” Eoin took the chair beside Vesper with an alert type of calmness that impressed Colin. “But it seems we were destined to be introduced, Captain.” He speared Colin with a hard look, and Colin’s heart skipped a beat at the deliberate use of “introduced” rather than “meet.

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