Forged (Star Breed #10) - Elin Wyn Page 0,11

was managing.

Maybe, if he was lucky, he’d be able to get a toe into those little openings.

I couldn’t see what he was doing, but however he was managing, he didn’t seem to be having any troubles staying right behind me.

It didn’t take long to realize that what had knocked the lift car down also had completely blocked the shaft, just a few decks above us.

“I think whoever is on that ship is doing a bit more than just taking out the observation dome,” Hakon said. “How are you doing?”

I leaned against the rail, giving my aching arms a moment’s rest. “I don’t think we’re going to make it to the Command Center,” I said. “Even if I could climb that far, I don’t think we can get through all of that.”

“Alright,” he said. “Time for a new plan.”

I chewed my lip. “I’ve got a ship,” I admitted reluctantly. “But I’m not sure how we can get to it. If we can, I can hail the—” I caught myself just in time before I named my uncle’s ship. “The attackers, see if we can do a better job of negotiating than Serrup.”

“Last I heard,” Hakon said, “the docking mechanism isn’t working.”

I tapped my fingers against the rail, thinking fast, not liking any of the answers. “My ship isn’t exactly in the docks, or anywhere station security knows about. But if I can get to my quarters, I should be able to maneuver it to the docks remotely. Probably even without the assist from the station.”

“Really,” he commented blandly. “And what makes you sure about that?”

I stared at the blocked lift shaft again. Maybe I could twist through it, not have to do this.

But it didn’t really seem likely.

“Because that’s how I got it here,” I ground out. “I came in on the recruiter’s shuttle, brought my own ship in behind me. It’s been cloaked against the station’s side for months.”

Hakon’s laugh boomed through the shaft. “I can’t wait to tell Alcyon how crappy his security is,” he finally managed. “What other little holes have you found?”

“Not enough,” I confessed, still irritated by my failure. “But for now, can we focus on getting to my quarters?”

“First, we’ll need to see where we are,” he decided. “Let’s keep heading up until we see the next pair of lift doors.”

Thankfully, it wasn’t far. My arms had gone from aching to screaming, and my efforts not to look down had made the muscles in my neck stiff.

But I wasn’t done yet. I had to climb past the doors in order to give Hakon space to work. Leaning precariously away from the rail, legs wrapped tightly around it, he easily wrenched them open.

“Any luck?” I called down. “Can you see where we are?”

“Not where we wanted to be,” he grunted, then leaped through the open doors. “Don’t recognize it at all. You’d better come on down and take a look.”

Wearily I climbed back down, but at the sight of the deck beyond the lift doors, a new wave of energy ran through me.

“Not my quarters, but workable, completely workable.” Then my excitement faded. The lift rails were set back far enough in the shaft that I couldn’t see how he possibly could have made the jump. And as for me… “But how do I get out there?”

Hakon wrapped one hand around the edge of the door and leaned forward as far as he could, with the other hand outstretched.

It didn’t reach me.

Not even close.

“Jump. I’ll catch you.”

My brain couldn’t even process the words.

“I promise, I’m not gonna let you fall. Trust me.”

My throat closed up.

I didn’t trust. That was a rule.

But he’d kept me alive so far.

And as far as he knew, I was the only way we had out of this situation.

I might not be able to trust, but I’d always been able to count on enlightened self-interest.

“Alright,” I said. “One, two, three!” Flexing my legs, I sprang as far as I could towards his hand.

It wasn’t far enough. I wasn’t going to make it!

My scream barely had time to echo before he snagged me out of the shaft, pulling me close to his chest.

“Alright there?” he rumbled, one massive hand carefully smoothing down my hair. I stayed buried against his chest for a moment, willing my heartbeat to get back in line.

“Yes, I’m fine.” I pushed away and looked up at him, but his face seemed carefully blank.

Right, then. Just in my head.

“Where are we?” he asked.

“The maintenance deck.” I nearly danced down the