Stormbreak (Seafire #3) - Natalie C. Parker Page 0,55

thumbs and joined at the fingertips. It glinted in the sunlight, articulated joints clinking softly together as Tassos draped it across his palm. He returned his gaze to Oran and this time his lips slashed across his face in a cutting half grin.

The muscles in Oran’s jaw tightened and his brows crashed together. He knew what this device was, and he wasn’t happy to see it.

“This is the price of my goodwill,” Tassos said, voice hooked and cruel.

“And how do we benefit from your goodwill?” Oran asked.

Tassos shrugged. “A conversation. Isn’t that what you’ve come for?”

“What is that?” Caledonia asked.

Cepheus laughed, the sound lonely and rancorous.

“The steel hand,” Oran said after a moment. It took Caledonia a second to understand that he wasn’t referring to himself but the device. “One of my first designs. Once you put it on, there are only two ways to remove it.”

“The right way and the wrong way,” Cepheus said with another laugh.

Oran’s only response was the flexing of muscles in his jaw.

“Oran,” Caledonia said, waiting for an explanation and doing her best not to fear it at the same time.

“You either let it cinch all the way, breaking one or more of your bones before it releases, or you pull and the blades inside strip the skin from your fingers.” Oran spoke in a dull voice.

Caledonia rounded on Tassos, anger making her brazen. “No. I won’t allow it. You talk to me or you don’t, but torturing Oran isn’t part of the deal.”

“Torture?” Tassos asked. “I think you misunderstand the purpose of the steel hand. It’s a means of proving loyalty. Commitment. Fortitude. I require Oran to prove himself.” He smiled again, savoring each word. “And it’s the only way I’ll entertain your proposal. Or I can sink your ships. I’ll be satisfied either way.”

Caledonia didn’t move. Her blood sang in her ears and she struggled against the urge to lash out at Tassos, to strike him or kill him. Either option would end in a losing battle. But everything about this moment felt like losing. Whatever was happening right now, it was deeply personal. There was nothing Caledonia could say to convince Tassos to forgo his vengeance.

“Do you give us your word that you’ll hear her out?” Oran asked.

“I give my word,” Tassos said lightly.

Caledonia caught Oran’s eyes. Though she didn’t trust anything Tassos said, it seemed that Oran did. She knew she should tell him that he didn’t have to do this, that they would find another way, one that didn’t involve this gruesome kind of payment. But she couldn’t. The truth was, there was no other way. She’d considered all their options, and this was the only viable one. The truth was, she was willing to trade his pain for the chance keep her fleet alive.

And so was he.

He nodded, the movement far too gentle for what he was consenting to. Caledonia returned the gesture. It was an agreement between the two of them. Both of them understanding that their actions, their choices had led to this place.

But nothing had ever felt as horrible as the moment she denied Oran all mercy and allowed him to slip his right hand into the glove. Nothing had ever darkened her heart as when she didn’t stop him before the steel glove engulfed the fingers of his left hand. And no sound had ever speared her as thoroughly as when the steel bands of the glove slowly crushed his fingers.

Caledonia kept her eyes on Oran’s as he struggled under the pain. She did not flinch when the first bone popped. The sound was almost gentle, the swift snapping of a branch.

Somewhere behind, she heard Pisces exhale sharply.

A second snap.

Oran’s breath crashed like waves against Caledonia’s heart.

A third crack.

This time a small, strangled sound emerged from Oran’s throat in spite of his efforts to contain it. Behind them, an uneasy whisper ghosted through the crew, and Caledonia felt her stomach twist viciously. Yet through it all, Oran kept his eyes on her, and Caledonia was surprised to see that there was no anger in them. Whatever this was to Oran, some part of him felt he deserved it. With horror, she realized that this was what he’d been expecting. He’d known this was going to happen and he hadn’t warned her. He hadn’t asked for help or to stay behind. He’d come anyway.

The metal made a final, vicious shriek and Oran winced in pain.

Caledonia did not look away. Nor did she move to help. She