The Game of Luck by Catherine Cerveny

Author:Catherine Cerveny
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: None
Publisher: Orbit
Published: 2018-09-24T16:00:00+00:00

I zipped up my tote on the inflatable bed, the last of my things finally packed. Today was Deimsol and after four sols away from home, I was ready to leave. Only one more sol until the workweek was over. I scanned the tiny bedroom that felt more like a closet and smelled faintly musty, making sure I hadn’t left anything behind. Feodor lay on the bed during all this, watching me with half-closed eyes. Apparently seeing me pack was very dull business. A second later, he was up and fully alert.

“Felicia? Everything okay? Can I come in?” Celeste knocked on the door, explaining Feodor’s sudden excitement. He made a few tentative barks and looked like he might jump down from the bed before I put a hand on his butt and told him to “stay”—in Russian.

“Sure, come on in,” I said, crab-walking around the bed to reach for the sliding door that recessed back into the trailer wall. Gods, it was cramped in there. I’d grown up in a room very similar to this back in Nairobi; it amazed me how quickly I’d forgotten that detail.

“Ready to go?” she asked, seeing my packed bags taking up what little space the room had left.

“I think so. Hopefully I didn’t forget anything. Alexei tells me I’m terrible at packing.”

“I really loved having you here during all this. I understand about Alexei being away and I’m sure that made things difficult for you, but it was nice to have you all to myself too.”

“Most people find Alexei intimidating, so it probably worked out for the best.”

She nodded absently and sat on the bed. It gave under her weight, not bouncing back the way a smart-mattress would. “I had no idea how uncomfortable this was. How’s your back?”

I gave her a wry grin. “Nothing a few Renew treatments won’t fix.”

“I wanted to ask you earlier, but there wasn’t a chance…What happened with Yasmine and Tait, and back on Earth—does this connect to the Nine of Swords I pulled for you? Is this why Suzette called? Is it why there are Consortium people here? At first, I thought it was because you’re here, but it seemed excessive. Some of the family have been gossiping, saying they’ve heard things from the clan back on Earth, but I wanted to confirm with you first. Should the family be worried? Is there someone after us?”

I sat on the bed with her, my breath coming out in a whoosh. Celeste could do the math as easily as the next person, and she certainly wasn’t stupid. Gods, I should have told her ages ago. Feodor crawled into my lap then, as if magically knowing I needed the comfort. He really was the best dog in the world. I stroked his silky fur.

“Yes, it’s connected to the Nine of Swords and Grandmother asking for my help,” I said, doing my best to think before I spoke. “My father went missing too and we’re trying to find him. I’ve asked Alexei

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