Dealers' Choice - Susan Hayes Page 0,34

little hologram nodded. “I shall do so. Shall I summon transport to take you home?”

Xori was about to say yes, but she stopped herself. She was still nervous about being out in the main parts of the station, and that had to stop. She couldn’t let fear reshape her life, or her choices. “I think I’ll walk, thanks.” She glanced at her completely unsuitable footwear. “I don’t suppose you could lend me a sensible pair of shoes?”

Tink nodded and twirled in place. “Of course! Tianna keeps a few sundries on hand for guests. Follow me.” She flew off, and Xori found herself laughing as she followed after the whimsical hologram. It said a lot about Tianna that she’d placed one of the most advanced AI’s in existence into a character inspired by her favorite childhood story.

Not five minutes later, she was off the ship and on her way back home, her personal items all stashed into a shoulder bag that Tink insisted she take. Her feet were tucked into the most comfortable shoes she’d ever worn, a soft, fabric bootie with a fluffy interior that made it feel like she was walking on clouds. She’d have to ask Tianna where she could buy herself a pair.

Xori let herself be distracted by recollections of the night she’d just spent with her lovers. Even the word made her smile and made her want to skip and dance like a girl with her first crush. It wasn’t until she crossed the last security checkpoint that anxiety started to push past her happiness and sour her mood.

She held tight to her memories, using them to keep her worries at bay. There was almost no chance of her running into Tesk or any of his entourage, not at this time of day. She took a mag-lev to the more public levels and rejoined the bustle and hum of the main concourse. Even this early in the morning it was relatively busy, though the crowd’s energy was lower, everyone walking in relative silence, on their way to work or headed home after a long night of indulging themselves in their vice of choice. Her cheeks heated when she realized she was one of the latter. The hours she’d spent with Vic and Ward had been decadent, passionate, and oh so indulgent. Her toes curled in her borrowed boots. Veth, she couldn’t wait to do it again.

She wove through the crowd, frustrated as her anxiety spiked again and again. She felt like she was being watched, and there was an itch at the nape of her neck that made her want to turn and look behind her. She didn’t. She would not give in to her fears. This was Astek Station, not Phera Prime. She was safe here.

It wasn’t much of a walk to the nearest train platform. A five-minute ride would see her back to her office. She could compose her letter to the IAF and get it sent off as soon as possible. Then she’d message Ward and Vic and let them know where she was. Maybe they’d stop by her office on their way home.

She lingered at the back of the small group waiting for the next train, trying to ignore the icy tendrils of unease spreading across her shoulders. Someone jostled her, connecting from shoulder to hip before moving away again.

She turned, slightly panicked, but only a bleary-eyed human stood there, weaving on his feet, his smile as lopsided as he was.

“Sorry.”

“It’s alright. No harm done.” She smiled and turned. She must have moved too fast, because the platform seemed to lurch and she had to take a stumbling step to regain her balance. It didn’t work. The deck beneath her feet tilted again, and she threw out her arms in panic.

The intoxicated male reappeared at her side, a thick, meaty hand curving around her upper arm. “You okay?”

“I…I don’t know.” Her words came out in a mushy jumble.

“Some of that pharma has a hell of a kick, don’t it? How about we find you a quiet place to rest?” The man’s voice was steadier now.

She tried to shake her head, but it was too much effort. Panic gripped her, and she tried to stand, to cry out, to do anything at all. The world around her turned gray, then black, and she fell into the void with a silent scream.

Chapter Eight

Vic woke slowly, his senses coming back to him a little at a time. That was new. Usually, he came awake so