with a hint of pity. Not being able to read could be considered a form of handicap in the modern world. It greatly impaired one’s quality of life and independence.
“I’ll get you some more slates.” He turned to leave.
“No. Wait a second.” I stopped him by placing my hand on his forearm.
There was no point in sending him to fetch something he wouldn’t be able to find.
“Is there someone...” I intended to ask if he could bring along one of the crew to help him, then realized that if no one had bothered to teach him how to read all his life, there probably wouldn’t be anyone who’d want to help him with reading labels now, either. “Is there a way for me to come with you?” I asked instead.
“No,” he said resolutely before the last word even left my mouth. “Not safe.”
I realized that, I hadn’t forgotten the attacks by the crew on me.
“Is there a way to sneak in undetected? You’ll be with me. We’ll make it quick.”
“No.” He sounded just as resolute, but it took him a little longer to say the word “no” this time. I hoped it meant he might be considering taking me along.
“Are there lots of people around here this time of the day?”
This time, he took a considerable pause, definitely thinking about something.
“What time is it?” he asked.
“How am I supposed to know that?”
He silently pointed at the tablet in my hand.
“Oh, is it connected to a network?” I turned it on again.
“No. There is no network on the Dark Anomaly. But the clocks of all devices have been synchronized. Makes it easier to keep a common schedule.”
“Okay. So...”
He glanced at the tablet screen. “Lunchtime.”
“Which means?”
“Most of the crew will be in the kitchen where Krakhil is serving food.”
“So, we can go, then?” Despite, the potential danger, I was looking forward to getting out of this crazy room with its restless dancing lights. Having Wyck with me made me feel safer.
Wyck took the tablet out of my hands and placed it on the floor. “We’ll leave all the slates here for now. I’ll pick them up later, when I’m on my own.”
I guessed that meant I was coming with him.
“I’m ready.” I clasped my hands in front of me.
He gave me a long measuring look, as though assessing my worth in battle. It wasn’t much, I had to admit. At five feet five, I had less than average muscle tone. My self-defence strategy would be kicking my opponent between the legs and running as fast as my legs would carry me. That obviously hadn’t worked during the previous attacks.
Wyck had already gotten a preview of my limitations—he’d thrown enough males off me yesterday.
“Stay close,” he said grimly, probably thinking about the same thing right now. “Keep your hands free. If something happens, don’t get in my way.”
“Got it.” I chose not to clarify what exactly he meant by “something.”
He slid my knife handle out of his pocket and clutched it in his right hand, then opened the door. Making sure no one was out in the corridor, he grabbed my arm and dragged me out of the room with him.
“Lesh,” he called back into the room.
The animal leaped out of the door before Wyck closed it. All three of us were going, then.
“Watch our back,” Wyck said to me, not letting go of my arm.
I glanced over my shoulder as we promptly moved down the corridor in the direction of the crash site of my ship. Fear rose the fine hairs on the back of my neck. I half-expected someone to leap at me any minute.
Wyck kept me a little ahead of himself, shielding me with his shoulder from the back, and I shifted even closer to him. The enormous size of his body felt comforting, it was like having a fortress wall move along with me.
Lesh followed us closely, his warm breath reassuring against my calves. I knew the animal didn’t have any particular loyalty or attachment to me personally, but I hoped the mere presence of the fierce-looking beast would make anyone think twice before attacking us.
A little while later, Wyck stopped in front of an opaque-glass double door. Tossing a glance up and down the corridor, he punched in the code in the panel by the door and poked his head through when the doors slid open.
“Come.” He ushered me inside then promptly closed the doors behind us.
Once we were in the room, his shoulders relaxed a little.