A Blue Star Rising

by Cecilia Randell

  She waved a hand. “Doesn’t matter. You asked me here for a reason. I’d like to help, be the one doing the rescuing. For once. Even if it’s just from an overly enthusiastic mother.”

  A frown appeared to match the squint.

  “Think of it as repayment for a once-upon-a-time incident at a club during my first concert.”

  He pulled her forward and through the doorway. “This could end up a bit more far-reaching than putting a creeper in his place.”

  “Maybe. Then think of it as repayment for going all the way to another planet to help guard me from a crazed psycho.”

  That earned her a slight smile. “That is a little closer to truth.”

  “And Jason”—she waited until he looked back down at her—“none of this was ‘for nothing.’”

  He stilled, then gave her a slow nod. He stepped forward, pulling her with him into the house.

  Cream stone swirled with light gray covered the floors, flowing from the foyer into a gallery before opening into what Blue could only guess was a receiving room. People mingled, clad in flowing dresses and fitted suits. Well, the seamstress had been correct. Jeans definitely wouldn’t have done.

  “We don’t have to do anything obvious. Just stick by me. I’ll protect you,” Blue said with a grin. She halted just before the opening to the receiving room. “We’ve been through a lot, Jason. And whatever else, I do think of you as a friend. A slightly distant and sometimes moody friend.” She poked his side. “But a friend nonetheless. If this is how you need to say goodbye, let me help.”

  He leaned down and kissed her cheek, just as a young woman with red-gold hair turned to face them. “Thank you,” he whispered.

  The girl narrowed her eyes and thinned her lips as she glared in their direction. Blue laid her head against Jason’s arm. “You are welcome. Let the games begin.”

  Chapter 5

  LEVI

  A List of…

  Levi stared at the words. “A List of.” That was all he had thus far. It was ridiculous.

  He tapped his pen on the table. When Blue had spoken of her own list, it had sounded so simple. Just write down the things he wanted to try. The problem was, he had no knowledge of what types of things those should be.

  Maybe that wasn’t the correct way to think of it. Maybe there should be no “should” involved. He sighed.

  While Blue and the others had been gone for most of the day on their “date,” Levi had met with Ikil, his Order superior, received his first assignment—which didn’t begin for another few days—and completed his registration as a new citizen of Karran. It had been strange putting his sign on those documents. It severed the last of his ties to Padilra.

  He’d needed something to distract him. The list was the perfect thing. He’d make it, then get started on the items right away. He’d sat at this desk while Forrest and the others returned, while Blue prepared for her outing with Jason, and while Felix stomped up the stairs and into his own room. He’d meditated on the problem, and still the items for his list eluded him. Maybe he was going about this in the wrong manner?

  The three words taunted him from their place on the paper, and he tossed the pen down.

  Perhaps Mo’ata would indulge him in a bout in the yard. Or Felix. By the sound of his stomps, the big man probably needed to work off some frustration. If Levi recalled correctly, the mercenary had had a meeting with his guild representative. It must not have gone well.

  Levi crossed the hall and knocked on Mo’ata and Forrest’s door. They and Blue had the same connecting rooms as the last time everyone had stayed in this inn. How were they handling the arrangements at night? Surely the men weren’t letting Blue sleep alone now that Phillip wasn’t around. And per his understanding, Blue could choose additional men. Would she want Levi? She did seem to enjoy looking at his body. And she’d been happy when he’d returned with them to Karran. Actually, she had invited him, hadn’t she?

  Huh. Forming a romantic relationship was not an easy thing, especially if you had never planned to do so and didn’t know the rules.

  “Come.”

  The door slid open. Forrest lay on his bed, one leg swinging over the edge of the mattress, with the cubs nearby. Mo’ata was at the small desk, and Felix paced the open area.

  Vivi and Garfield paused in their wrestling and bounded over to Levi. Garfield leapt into his arms, and Vivi stretched up to pat his thigh with her paws.

  “General Audal is insisting that I return to Cularna.” Felix rubbed a hand over his face. “I was able to put the guild off, but it required me to take a job. It’s only for a week or so and here in Tremmir.”

  “It’s not the end of the world, you impatient giant. Blue’s not going anywhere, and neither are we.” Forrest propped himself up on one elbow.

  Felix narrowed his eyes at the younger man as Levi stepped fully into the room and the door closed behind him. Crossing to Mo’ata’s bed, he sat and Garfield leapt into his lap.

  “I am not impatient,” Felix ground out. “I am… frustrated.”

  Forrest nodded. “Blue can be frustrating.”

  The mercenary wheeled on him. “It’s not Blue! She’s perfect. It’s…”

  Levi studied the big man. He saw in him what he himself was experiencing. Doubt. Uncertainty. He made the leap in his mind. “You do not want to risk losing her before you even have a chance to have her.”

  Forrest threw a pillow at Levi. “Dude. That’s my wife you’re talking about. You don’t get to talk about ‘having her’ until she wants to be had.” His cheeks colored. “That didn’t come out right.”

  Mo’ata stood, drawing everyone’s attention. He set a hand on Felix’s shoulder. “Today went very well. I believe that when you are ready to face Blue with your feelings, she will not be averse to the courtship.” He twisted his head to Levi. “You as well.”

  Levi’s heart lifted. “She has said so?”

  “Not in so many words. But she…”

  “She mentioned your man nipples.” Forrest grinned. Levi’s cheeks heated, and the younger man laughed, loud and long. He waved a hand as it died away. “I’m sorry, but your expression…” He collapsed back on the bed.

  Mo’ata rolled his eyes. “Just remember that this is not a race. Be sure of what you want before you take things further with her.”

  Felix rolled his shoulders back once. Then again. Finally, he nodded.

  “Now, when does your job begin?” Mo’ata asked.

  “Three days,” Levi and Felix answered together.

  “I’ve got a bodyguard job for a merchant,” Felix clarified.

  “Basic surveillance for me, on a rotation with two other agents. I should be able to be here when it is not my shift,” Levi supplied. He wasn’t sure if he was allowed to divulge the details of the assignment, even to other agents. He made a mental note to ask.

  “Really? Surveillance? Seems a waste.” Felix raised a brow. “They’re certainly starting you at the bottom.”

  Levi nodded. “Yes. It makes sense. They are giving me a chance, but I must still earn my place.”

  Forrest sat up and scooped Vivi into his lap, mirroring Levi’s position with Garfield. “How are you so… calm and certain about everything?”

  Levi laughed. He couldn’t help it. Forrest reminded him of Blue in so many ways. “The calm I practice. The certainty… well, I am glad I can fool so many.” He dug his fingers into Garfield’s ruff. “So, the afternoon went well?”

  “Very well,” Forrest said. “Other than the small run-in with Zeynar, that is. Set Blue back a bit, but we fixed it.”

  “Be honest,” Mo’ata chided. “Zeynar declaring his intentions didn’t set her back. Her confusion and our reactions did that. But we did fix it, and Blue even started a new list, which pleased her. I will admit, I do not understand her love of them.”

  “List?” Levi asked just as Felix said, “Zeynar?”

  Mo’ata shot a narrow-eyed look at Felix and shook his head. “Later for Ze
ynar. You know it is primarily Blue’s decision. As for the list, it’s mostly things we need to settle or arrange for the prida. A place to live—”

  “Picking up penny jars—”

  “Deciding what to do about Blue’s family—”

  Forrest grimaced. “Birth control, not looking forward to that one—”

  Felix grinned. “It’s not that bad. You never feel a thing, and it’s much more effective than little rubber cock socks.”

  Forrest’s mouth fell open. “Cock socks. You just said cock socks. Where would you even pick that up from?”

  The smile fell from the mercenary’s face, and he blushed. Actually blushed. Levi grinned.

  “And,” Mo’ata cut in, “we need to get both Blue and Forrest full medical checkups and finalize their registration as citizens, as well as set up accounts for them.”

  “There were a few other things as well, but most can’t be done until we have a place to live,” Forrest said, getting back on topic.

  “How does one make a list?” Levi asked.

  Everyone froze for a half second then turned to him. “You just think up the things and, um, write them down,” Felix said, brows pulled together.

  “Maybe the translation’s off?” Forrest said. “A list is a series of named items that all have a central theme of some kind.”

  Mo’ata pushed his shoulder. “Stop. I think he’s serious.” He turned to Levi. “What do you mean?”

  Levi’s shoulders hunched up, and his cheeks heated. It was a stupid question, he knew, but it had slipped out. “Back in Lianka, Blue suggested that I make a list of all the things I should try so I could see what I liked. I attempted to do so all afternoon, but nothing’s come to me.” A hollow sensation formed in his chest. Garfield pressed into his belly, his purr growing in intensity.

  Forrest’s eyes went wide. “Oh. Man, I’m sorry. I can help you with that. Go grab what you have so far. We’ll brainstorm some things. You’ll get the hang of it once we’ve gotten a few items down.”

  “Brainstorm?” Felix asked.

  This one Levi knew. “Think up in a rush of ideas.” He studied the wide blue eyes of the young man across from him. Yes, much like Blue. “I will be right back.”

  Mo’ata’s comm pinged as Levi set the piquet cub down. The color left the clansman’s face. “Wait,” he said, eyes flicking back and forth as he read whatever message had come through. “Zeynar’s been attacked. He says there is some indication this was not an attack meant for him alone. He is sending over guards for Blue.” He flicked a finger over the screen. “Looks like she is already on her way back from the dinner. Good.” Hazel eyes met Levi’s gaze. “Your list will have to wait. Everyone suit up. Until we have more information, I want us ready for anything.” The clansman turned back to his comm and typed furiously, his lips thinned.

  “I’ll cancel my job.” Felix pulled out his own comm. Levi wanted to do the same, but he already knew the outcome of that and left the device in his pocket.

  “Wait.” The struggle was clear in the clansman’s expression. “Wait until we know more. If you cancel or if Levi misses his own first assignment—any change in the pattern we’ve established, however new it is—it could trigger action against us. We don’t know yet why he was attacked, or how much they may already know.”

  Felix went cold. That was the only way Levi could think to describe it. “Then we sort this tonight,” he said, his face like stone.

  “Agreed.” Mo’ata’s comm dinged. “The boss says to go along for now and find out what else we can. They only have general details.”

  “I don’t like it,” Felix said.

  Levi rose and headed for the door. Forrest rolled his eyes and headed for the closet. “This now feels a little too much like using Blue for bait again. That’s what I don’t like.”

  “Also agreed. But Zeynar’s compound is one of the most secure places in Tremmir. She’ll be safe there.” Mo’ata tossed the comm on his mattress and scooped up his armor. He shrugged the first piece over his shoulders.

  Felix joined Levi at the door. “He was just attacked.”

  Mo’ata flicked a finger at the now silent comm. “Scent shop. Just outside his territory. Not the same.”

  Levi triggered the door and crossed the hall back to his room. Yes, his list would definitely have to wait. In the meantime, he did know there was at least one thing he could—and wanted to—do: protect Blue. And from the fact that a bare couple of weeks after the last situation had been resolved there was now another, protecting Blue was something that could keep him occupied for quite a while.

  Chapter 6

  BLUE

  The dinner had been wonderful. Blue had found something she might like even more than the clan stew—the Karran version of bacon, canob. It was a delicacy, which is why she hadn’t had it yet. She’d have to figure out how to get her hands on it again.

  Now everyone was gathered in a room to the rear of the house that overlooked a small garden. They had split up into small groups scattered between low tables and clusters of chairs. Blue and Jason chose a spot to the rear, near a pair of glass doors that lead to a stone balcony.

  “Now what?” she asked, pulling her skirt over her knees. “I have to say, this is not like any birthday-memorial I’ve ever been to.”

  “Been to many?” Jason gripped a tumbler of foka.

  She rolled her eyes, and he grinned, though it didn’t really reach his eyes.

  Glasses clinked, and laughter floated through the room. Low music, something soothing, drifted to them. Across the room, the girl with the red-gold hair—Sarah, Rachel’s sister—sent a smile toward them and leaned in to whisper to her companion before straightening and heading in their direction.

  “Heads up,” Blue said.

  Jason’s gaze cut to Sarah like she was an incoming enemy soldier. That cold look returned, and his eyes narrowed. Even with her new insight, Blue didn’t know what he was thinking, only that, whatever it was, it was strong.

  “Have you done what you needed to? Made your peace?”

  Jason shrugged and looked out the glass doors.

  “Then go do that. I’ll be fine.”

  He twisted back to her. “You’re different.”

  She tilted her head. “How do you mean?”

  He shrugged and sat forward, hands on his knees. “Like the girl who nervously tried to eat lunch with the football team has finally started to come into her own.”

  “Only took a worlds-wide almost-catastrophe.”

  “Maybe. But I like this Blue too.” He pushed to his feet. “I’ll be back. And thank you.” Jason slipped away down a hallway half-hidden by a small potted tree.

  Blue turned her attention back to the room in time to catch Sarah’s face fall in disappointment before she pulled it back into serene lines. Then her gaze focused on Blue, and with barely a hitch in her step, she resumed her journey. Taking Jason’s seat, Sarah leaned back, her glass held delicately between her fingers.

  Everything about her was poised. Her hair fell in soft waves around her heart-shaped face. Her skin was clear, a delicate blush highlighting her cheeks.

  Was that real or makeup? Damn, even Phe couldn’t do as good a job.

  “He’s just using you.” Sarah sipped her punch.

  Well then. That was how they were going to play? Blue took a page from Phe and smiled at the mean girl. “I know.” She made a mental note to thank her friend the next time she saw her. Though she’d always tried to stay out of it, turned out that listening to Phe bitch about cheerleaders, drama friends, and mean girls—and how she dealt with them—would pay off. Blue let a wicked grin cross her face. “Who says I’m not simply using him?” She was proud of how clear her Common was.

  Sarah’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t you have one of those prida things? Aren’t the savages enough for you? Oh, wait, that’s right. You brought a toy from home, just in case.”

  Blue stilled. A toy from home. It was too ridiculous. A part of her a
ctually liked this girl. She sounded like Phe. Or maybe she just missed her old friend.

  The larger part of her definitely did not appreciate the tone of condescension, the tilt of her chin, or the fact that this girl felt she could attack Blue’s family.

  “Tell me, Sarah. Who do you have? Certainly not Jason.” Blue swallowed as soon as the words were out, her anger calming into something closer to annoyance. She knew better than to engage like that. She was here to be Jason’s friend, and she’d slipped from teasing the girl to taking jabs.

  The girl’s eyes went wide, and her lips parted with the slightest tremble. Her drink shook as she bent forward to set it on a table. “You may be right.”

  “I didn’t—”

  “But I will have him.” Sarah’s spine straightened. “You have no idea the trouble I can make for you, Blue Faust, or your family. Sirisa Shipping uses the Peterson’s transport systems. What if they were no longer able to do that? Jason’s mother adores me, by the way. Or your classes at the Academy? Careful there. I bet you have no idea how dangerous portal practice sessions can be. As for Jason, did he mention we were going out tomorrow? He’s taking me to the menagerie to see the new exhibit.”

  Tension built until it was so thick Garfield could have climbed it.

  “Sarah.” Jason’s voice cut through the air, and Blue slumped. He stood behind the other woman, his hand on the back of the chair. “That was uncalled for.”

  Moisture glittered in her eyes as she twisted to face him. “Jason, I didn’t mean—”

  “You did. I can’t be—”

  “It was my fault,” Blue said. “I said something I shouldn’t have.”

  Jason raised a brow. “Why don’t I believe you? I’ve spent enough time with you, Blue, to know that you don’t lash out for no reason.”

  Blue forced a smile. “Perhaps. Did you get to do what you needed to? I really am fine here on my own if you need more time.”

  He stared down at Sarah and then turned his head from her before rounding the chair and crossing to Blue. “I won’t find what I need here. Let’s go.”