a brow. “Some would call him a pirate. Your father doesn’t trust him. With good reason. He has a reputation for subterfuge.”
Taelon shrugged off the Yona’s concerns. “My father doesn’t know him.”
“And his reputation?”
Taelon hesitated. “Might have been duly earned. But he only deceives and steals from those he doesn’t like.” He winked at Lisa. “And he likes me.” He pressed a kiss to Abby’s cheek, then wrapped his arms around Lisa and hugged them both close. “He’s the one who discovered Amiriska was on Earth. I never would’ve found her without his help. I trust him. He won’t harm us.”
She drew in a deep breath and let it out in a long sigh. “Good.” She meant that more than ever when she peeked out the window and saw the size of the rebel Akselian’s ship.
There was no way they could survive a battle with something that big.
A wide beam of light encompassed the transport, then drew them inside a docking bay even larger than the one on the Kandovar. The transport set down with barely a thump.
A minute passed.
“What’s happening?” she asked, nerves rattling despite Taelon’s assurances.
He smiled. “They’re closing the docking bay doors and preparing to greet us.”
The Yona warriors prepared, too. Every one of them—with an astounding swiftness that bespoke years of habit—donned numerous weapons. Blasters. Blades. And things that looked like grenades or flashbangs.
Taelon ignored them. “I should probably warn you that Janwar’s crew can be a little… what’s the Earth word… eccentric?”
“Eccentric how?”
“Well?” Janwar called outside. “Get your royal ass out here.”
Taelon grinned and started toward the exit.
Ari’k stopped him. “He’s a privateer. How do you know he doesn’t intend to capture you and hold you for ransom?”
Taelon shook his head. “He isn’t going to ransom me. He knows he’ll lose my business if he does. Lower the ramp.”
Ari’k did as ordered but insisted on standing in front of Taelon. Yihrus stood shoulder to shoulder with him so he was in front of Lisa.
“Still using Yona guards, I see,” Janwar drawled.
“Lower your weapons,” Ari’k commanded.
“If I wanted the Lasaran prince dead, I would’ve blown him to pieces instead of hailing him and inviting him aboard,” Janwar responded in beleaguered tones. “Besides. He’s no use to me dead. I can’t afford to lose his business.”
Taelon laughed. “Step aside, Ari’k. That’s an order.”
Once Ari’k moved, Taelon strode down the ramp. Lisa followed, Ari’k on one side, Yihrus on the other, and Abby in her arms.
When she got a good gander at Janwar and his crew, her steps slowed and her eyes widened.
Don’t gape, she lectured herself but feared she failed miserably in that endeavor.
The man Taelon approached with a smile was about six and a half feet tall with a slender, athletic build like an Olympic swimmer. His skin was tan with a distinct reddish hue that matched his eyes. His hair was jet-black and drawn back from his face in cornrows. The rest fell down his back and over his shoulders in a combination of thick waves and tight braids, a few of which were decorated with beads of some sort.
Though his handsome face was by no means feminine, his black eyelashes were long and thick. A closely cropped mustache and beard added to his piratical look, as did the loose shirt and tight breeches.
Holy crap, she thought. It’s Jack Sparrow.
To his right stood a man equally tall with a little more muscle whose features bore a hint of feline. His nose was a little flatter and wider. His irises were large like the Yona’s and amber-colored. His face and exposed arms were covered in black tattoos or markings that reminded her of a tiger’s stripes. And his hair fell down his back in a thick wavy mass that featured multiple shades, ranging from tan to black.
A man who looked as if he could be the cat man’s twin stood beside him but lacked the dark markings. Instead, scars marred his handsome features and exposed arms.
On Janwar’s other side stood a man who shared his race. He was about the same height and boasted the same tan skin with the reddish hue. His long black hair was pulled back in similar braids, some of which ended in beads. But his irises were a little redder, and he lacked the beard and mustache.
Next to him stood a man who must be almost seven feet tall and was built like the Hulk. His skin was gray with a strong hint of turquoise. His short raven hair had patterns