Miners of Djaromir Toren - Leora Gonzales Page 0,5

it?”

“No. You’re here now,” Shuddre said, tucking a replacement spear into the strap on his back as the final click came from the gigantic doors as they finished closing. “I’m going to leave.”

“Don’t you want to meet the warlord’s new lady?” Toren couldn’t help but laugh at the look of revulsion on his friend’s face at his question. Shuddre had the same opinion he did when it came to the humans that were slowly integrating themselves into Djaromir society. They were soft and pretty, but neither one of them saw the appeal of finding mates they’d need to coddle and watch over. Plus, he had no idea where he’d keep her. The ones he’d seen so far wouldn’t last one cycle in the mines, and he normally spent four or five days mining for ore before coming back to the city.

“Not really,” the large miner answered with a shrug, edging his way towards the tunnel that housed their mining pods. “Make my excuses for me, eh?”

“Sure,” Toren agreed with a nod, even as he wished he could leave as well. The original plan had been for Shuddre to accompany Matrix and his new mate back into the city, giving him a chance to head to the mines. Considering his friend’s throw had been the one that killed the byorin, he’d earned himself the reprieve of heading out sooner rather than later.

If his friend was going to head to the mines, it needed to be done now. One of the reasons he was so anxious to leave too was because he’d noticed the radar showed the static storm strengthening. The small mining pods they’d fly to the mines on Djaromir’s moons would be unable to make the journey in time if he waited much longer.

“Head on out. Don’t forget, though, that you agreed to be at the gate when Gunninng’s volunteers arrive.” The reminder got him an eyeroll from Shuddre, considering that was all the others had been talking about. Their brethren were counting down the days until the female volunteers arrived with the Phaetons.

“I’ll be here,” he agreed with a grin as he walked away. “I wouldn’t pass up the chance to take down another byorin.”

“Let’s hope we don’t need to leave the gate next time.”

Toren waved his friend off before he turned to the waiting phaetrain. The vehicle hadn’t opened yet, and steam lingered in the air around it as ice chunks slid off the hood. It was obvious the nose of the vehicle had been used to break through some of the ice drifts instead of going around them.

“I can handle getting our warlord and his lady into the city from here, sir.” Caspre nodded in the direction that Shuddre had just gone. “I know you were wanting to head back into the mines at the far quadrant before the static storms grow too heavy to fly.”

“Are you sure?” he asked, even as he shifted his direction at the offer.

“Absolutely,” Caspre answered with a nod. “Our warlord will understand, considering the storms and the delay the byorin caused. I’ll send word when our warlord wants you back in the city.”

Chapter Three

“Holy shit. Holy shit. Holy shit.”

Jessie listened to Rue mumble on repeat, even as she tried not to puke. It was touch and go for a good while, but she somehow managed to keep her stomach from flying up and out of her mouth.

“It’s okay, Veruca,” Rue’s mate whispered as he knelt in front of her seat on the weird space train they’d just had the ride of their life in. “The byorin are gone and you’re safe now.”

“Are you sure?” Rue asked, her eyes still squeezed shut tight. “Why do I feel like we’re still moving?”

“I don’t know why, but we’re definitely stopped,” Jessie said. She may not have vomited, but her scratchy voice sounded like she’d fought it back. “Either that or we’re dead.”

“Are you okay?” Rue asked, popping one of her eyes open to stare at her. “You don’t sound so good.”

“I—”

“Jesus fucking Christ!” Tabitha screeched, her hands raking through the over-processed mop on her head that she called hair. The spike heels on her feet screeched against the metal floor as she flailed like a toddler throwing a fit. “What about me?!”

Rue turned her head slowly and gave Tabitha a dead-eyed stare. “You’re fine. Shut up.”

Tabitha’s mouth opened and closed a few times before her hand flew up to clutch the pearls she was wearing. “I never—”

“I didn’t think people actually said that. She’s