She grins. “I know, I know. You expected a high priestess to be taller, right?”
I didn’t expect her to be anything at all. I can honestly say that the words “High Priestess” have never even passed through my mind before.
“But honestly, you don’t need to worry about getting me back to Serati right now. There’s absolutely no rush.”
“I wasn’t worried,” I tell her.
“Oh, good. The last thing Merrick and I want is to be an inconvenience when you all have far more important things to do.” She takes a deep breath and then, very deliberately not looking at Merrick or me, she suggests, “Maybe we should take Kali to Askkandia. I was born there, but I haven’t been back since I was a baby and I’d love to visit the capital. Everyone should visit at least once, don’t you think?”
Not even a little bit. The capital can get fucked for all I care, along with the Empress and every member of the Council.
I start to say that, but in the end I just shake my head. Rain is a lot for such a little person, but I sort of like her. There’s a sweetness there you don’t see very often, and an enthusiasm for life that I suspect the rest of us lost a long time ago. If we ever had it.
“There will be a reward,” Merrick tells the rest of us. “You’ll be heavily compensated for returning us to Serati.”
The way the rich think their money will buy them anything and everything they want has always been the thing that disgusts me most about them. The fact that they’re usually right is the thing that has always disgusted me most about the world we live in.
Max and I exchange a look, and he doesn’t have to say anything for me to know he feels exactly the same way.
“Hush, Merrick,” the little high priestess says. “They’re not going to want a reward. They’re nice people. You’re forgetting, Mr. Ian saved all our lives back there.”
Merrick shakes his head, I’m guessing because he’s as bewildered by her outlook as I am. But he continues like she hadn’t interrupted. “And we can see that Princess Kalinda gets home safely afterward.”
The princess frowns. “Except I can’t go to Serati. I have to go to Askkandia. Right now.”
“And no doubt what the princess wants, the princess gets,” Beckett mutters. “Why? Are you more important than the rest of us?”
That silences the princess, but there’s a furrow between her eyes as though she doesn’t quite understand the question. Finally, she clears her throat and says, “Not more important.”
The way she says it tells the rest of us that yes, she does think she’s more important. Even before she adds, “I’m a princess. And you’re…”
She seems so bewildered that it’s all I can do not to laugh.
Beckett doesn’t even bother to try. When she laughs, it’s not a pleasant sound. “I don’t think that will get you very far on this ship, Princess.”
I straighten up a little at Beckett’s tone—I don’t actually like her calling Kali Princess in that way. I reserve that little pleasure for myself.
I look around to see if anyone else has got anything to add, any suggestions as to where we should go and what we should do before I tell them exactly what’s going to happen. But everyone has gone quiet. Even the princess. Especially the princess. I think it’s finally dawning on her that she’s not in charge here.
It’s about fucking time. And while I don’t like my idea much more than anybody else’s, it’s the only way to get the information we need now that we lost the Reformer when the station went down. Yeah, it’s a long shot, but when it comes to Milla, I’ll take any shot I get. Even ones that might—and by might I mean probably will—get me killed.
With that thought in mind, I break the now awkward silence. “We’re heading for Vistenia.”
At first, no one says anything; then: “Vistenia? Why?” This from the Merrick guy.
I normally don’t like being questioned, but I’ll give a little leeway this once, because they don’t know me yet and likely everything will go more smoothly with a little cooperation.
“The Reformer’s home port is on Vistenia. We’re going to get access to the records and see if we can find out where she was heading.”
“You make it sound so easy,” Max says in my mind, his tone rife with amusement.
“Just greasing the wheels,” I respond.
“Since when do you bother with grease? Usually you just shoot anything that opposes you.”
“I’m practicing my diplomatic skills,” I answer with a shrug. “Plenty of time to shoot something—or someone—later.”
He laughs but gets serious fast. “You know those records were probably doctored—if they even exist. It’s not like what the Reformer was doing is exactly legal.”
“A reason to keep Gage around for a little while longer.” A very little while. “He may be an asshole, but he’s skilled as shit. He can track any abnormalities. Plus he’s Corporation—once we find the ship, he can get us the info we need to find Milla.”
“True.” Max pauses to consider for several seconds. “Vistenia’s not the worst place to hide out.”
“Not even close.” That honor is reserved for Askkandia herself, with all her politicians and “very important people.”
Vistenia doesn’t have anyone important, at least not by Council standards.
It’s mostly farmers, and they’re a pretty placid bunch, most of whom have never gone hungry, so they don’t get all defensive the way people from other planets tend to. And since security is almost nonexistent there, it’s a better place than most to hole up while we decide what to do next.
“What do you care about where the Reformer was heading?” Beckett asks.
“It’s that Milla person, isn’t it?” the princess says. “You’re still looking for her.”
Of course I’m still fucking looking for her. It’s not like I’m going to stop. I couldn’t even if I wanted to, and neither could Max.
I don’t answer, but that doesn’t mean she stops pushing.
“Just who is she to you? I know she’s someone important.”
Suddenly, I’m furiously angry. This woman doesn’t know anything. Fuck all. I take a step closer, and she starts to back away but holds her ground. Looks like she’s braver than I thought.
“I told you my mother will help,” she says in a voice that wavers more than a little. Maybe not so brave, then. And definitely more than a little brainwashed.
“Princess, your mother will toss us in a cell and shut off the oxygen—if we’re lucky.”
“You don’t have any—”
“Give it up, Princess,” I snarl as my temper gets the best of me. “We are not going to fucking Askkandia.”
She looks around the room, maybe expecting some support, but everyone glances away. Except for Beckett, who gives her an obnoxious smile. Definitely no love lost there.
“I think we should take a vote,” Merrick says.
“Keep your cool,” Max urges me.
I do my best. I even take a deep breath and count to ten in my head like Milla always reminds me to. But then I draw my pistol and point it straight at Merrick’s head. “Like everything else in this fucking system, this is not a democratic process.”