Changing Course

by Brey Willows

  They started walking again and Kylin and Jessa walked together at the back. Jessa took her hand.

  “Could I stay with you?”

  Kylin winced, torn. “Blue’s is much nicer.”

  Jessa started to pull her hand away. “I see.”

  Kylin kept hold of her hand. “I don’t mean anything else by that, Jess. I mean Blue’s is nicer, and you might be more comfortable there. My place…” How to describe it? “Dad and I have lived there alone since Mom died. It’s a singles place, rough and ready and functional. We never bothered to decorate, and we rarely bothered to clean. It’s mid-stack, so there are people above and below us—”

  “Will you be there?” Jessa asked.

  “Well, yeah.”

  “Then that’s where I’d like to be.” She frowned slightly. “But only if you want me there.”

  Kylin stopped walking and turned to face her. “I think you know how I feel, Jess. If you want to stay with me, I’d love to have you there. I was thinking I’d offer the couch to Asol, though. Until she’s on her feet.” She kissed her softly, letting her lips linger until Jessa gave a contented sigh.

  “That’s settled then.”

  The rest of the way back was filled with questions about the stacks, which Kylin tried her best to answer. It was good to see them so excited, so interested in making the rest of their stay here comfortable. It was also interesting to know they never even asked about the cost of things, yet another reminder that they weren’t from around here. She had no idea what ship crew made, but apparently it was enough to live on for another five months without blinking an eye.

  They got back to Blue’s and everyone said good night, tired out from four hours of walking. She and Jess went to their room after Kylin looked in on her dad, who was still sleeping.

  Kylin took her time undressing Jess, reveling in every curve, in the sweet scent of her, in the way she moaned and the way she held on to Kylin like she’d never let go. Whatever happened tomorrow night, this could be the end of what they shared, and she wanted to take the memory of Jessa’s beautiful body with her into the ring, just in case she didn’t make it out.

  Chapter Twenty-one

  Jessa woke and listened to the communal noise. She wasn’t sure if she’d ever get used to it, but it was a fascinating aspect of life here. On her ship she’d had utter silence in her quarters, and the foredeck was always quiet too, as crew were busy making sure everything ran smoothly. Until that last flight, of course, when life had turned inside out.

  She turned onto her side and studied Kylin, who was still sound asleep. Her short blue-black hair framed her pale skin, and her strong features were softened in sleep. She was handsome and hard, but soft and sweet, too. She was a gorgeous mix of strength and vulnerability, a heady mixture Jessa was finding she didn’t want to be without. Since the moment Kylin had pulled her onto the forest perch she’d been intrigued, and now…well. She wasn’t sure what she was feeling, except that it was deeper and more engulfing than anything she’d felt before. Five months. That’s what the government official had said. And that should have upset her, made her rail at the injustice of having landed on a planet so out of the way.

  Instead, her heart raced at the amount of time she’d get to spend with Kylin, learning new things and asking questions. She’d found that she really liked asking questions, and she was taking Fina’s advice to heart. She didn’t have to stay removed and lonely. She could be spontaneous. She could get to know people and not feel like she was intruding, or that they weren’t worth her time because they had nothing to offer. She didn’t have to be her parents, and she had a feeling she’d be an even better captain with this newfound knowledge.

  Kylin opened one eye. “You’re staring.”

  “I’m wondering if that third eye is just an Indemnion thing, and if it will go away. It’s slightly disconcerting.”

  Kylin closed her eye again, not falling for it. “Wait till the fourth one pops up, in a place you’ll never expect it. That will really weird you out.”

  Jessa burst out laughing and kissed Kylin hard. “I’m starving.”

  Kylin smirked, her eyes still closed. “You worked me hard last night, but I’m sure I can get going again.”

  Jessa pushed her and jumped out of bed. “I’ll have more of that later, thank you. For now, I’m heading to the kitchen.”

  Kylin groaned and grumbled but pulled herself from the bed. She slipped her top on and said, “I’m going to check on my dad first. I’ll meet you there.”

  Jessa hesitated by the door. “Can I…” She swallowed the old fear of being intrusive. “I’d love to meet him.”

  Kylin winced. “I’m sure he’d love you. But he’s not exactly the man he was. Are you sure?”

  Jessa hadn’t been around anyone ill. Ever. Sick people on ship went to the medical bay, and people on Othrys didn’t get sick. Ever. So she wasn’t sure what she’d see, but she knew she wanted to meet the man so important to Kylin. She nodded.

  “Okay.” After quickly getting dressed, Kylin took her hand and led her downstairs, to a room at the back. She knocked softly and then opened the door. “Dad? You decent? Not knocking boots with the beauty of the Falls?”

  He chuckled tiredly and waved them in. “She left early this morning. Didn’t want to do the walk of shame.” He raised his head to look at Jessa. “Actually, it looks like you may have found her.”

  Kylin pulled Jessa forward. “This is Jessa, the ship’s captain Blue told you about. You’ve probably heard her crew around.”

  He held out his arm and Jessa took it. He was so frail, and the yellow in his eyes, which had once probably been bright like Kylin’s, was tinged with a sickly green. His breathing was shallow, and it was easy to see he struggled with every breath. She wanted to cry for him, for Kylin. For anyone who had to watch their parent languish this way.

  He smiled at her. “I hear you’ve been taking her on quite a ride, Captain.” He started coughing, and Kylin quickly got him a drink of something.

  “She’s impossible, Dad. Stubborn, intelligent, and always hungry.”

  Jessa felt the heat rush to her face, and she elbowed Kylin in the ribs, who made a show of doubling over and gasping.

  “Don’t mind her.” Kylin’s dad closed his eyes. “She only picks on the girls she really likes.”

  They turned to leave him to rest when he didn’t say anything else, but before they got to the door he said, “Kylin, a quick word?”

  Jessa nodded and made her way to the kitchen. Poor Kylin. She couldn’t imagine how hard that was for her. When Jessa thought of her own parents, there was a detachment she couldn’t deny, but that was true of most family relationships on Othrys. Once again, she wondered if they were upset by her disappearance, or if they chalked it up to a disappointing end and simply moved on.

  Everyone was at the table, talking excitedly about looking for a place in the stacks. They’d decided to stay together for support and so they’d be easy to find when the time came to head to a transport.

  Kylin came in looking subdued, the lines around her eyes deep.

  “Everything okay?” Jessa asked.

  Kylin gave her a small, tight smile. “Yeah, no problem.”

  Jessa watched as she clearly put on a mask when she turned to the others. “All ready to go looking for a place?”

  There was a chorus of excited replies, and Kylin listened as they talked about what they’d like to find. Jessa was excited for them, but her concern was for Kylin. She just seemed off somehow, and she wondered if it had to do with whatever her father had needed to say. To ask felt like prying, and it was a step that felt out of bounds. So she took her hand and squeezed it, just to let her know she was there.

  Kylin winked at her. “Well, then let’s get going, shall we?”

  They got up to leave, and Jessa didn’t miss the look between Blue and Kylin. Was there something else going on? A shiver went down her back. Something wasn’t right.

  * * *r />
  There was no question something was going on, but when Jessa tried to ask Kylin what it was, she got deflected with a kiss or some tidbit of information about the area they were in.

  They made their way to the larger stacks at the back, nearer the city walls. Kylin stared at one at the top, a large white one, before she turned them in a different direction.

  As they made their way through the maze of streets, people stared and whispered. Several wished Kylin good luck, but she just nodded politely and kept walking. Everywhere they went there were people who wanted to stop and talk to her. It was a little unnerving, because the atmosphere suggested it wasn’t just because they wanted to chat. Something big was happening, and Kylin was at the center of it.

  They took a lift to a mid-stack house with a simple wood door and trimmed windows. It wasn’t flashy, but the inside was spacious. It had four rooms, even though they only needed three, along with a big living room and a nice view over the wall. Peshta, Benika, and Asanka were all delighted with it, and Kylin put in a call to the owner, who was happy to rent for a short-term lease that could be broken if necessary. For a fee, of course, but they weren’t bothered by that.

  “It’s not like you have a lot of stuff to move in, but we can hire a local kid to bring your packs from Blue’s.”

  “We’re happy to carry our own,” Benika said.

  “And that’s great. But a local kid will know how to get your packs here without anyone stealing anything along the way, and it will put food on someone’s table. So, it’s a win for everyone.” Kylin whistled and a young man came running over.

  “Hey, K. Tonight is going to be better than a cryo storm. I can’t wait—”

  “Can you bring three packs from Blue’s for me? These fine ladies will pay you to get everything here safe and accounted for.” Kylin gave him a brief grin.

  He looked flustered but recovered quickly. “Yeah, of course. Will Blue know what I need?”

  Peshta glanced at the others before speaking for all of them. “We haven’t packed everything, but if she just throws whatever is out into the pack, that will be fine.”

  He loped off into the maze without another word. “So, that part is taken care of. Now we need to get you the basics. Away we go.” Kylin led them into another maze, this one full of shops and people hawking their wares.

  Jessa laughed and smiled with the others as they picked up various treasures as well as necessities, and Kylin hired another young person to carry the goods as they went. The stares and shouts continued, but Kylin continued to politely ignore them.

  When they stopped for food in the late afternoon, Jessa pulled her aside. “Kylin, what’s going on tonight? What are they talking about?”

  Kylin lifted Jessa’s hand to her mouth and kissed her palm, but didn’t make eye contact. “Just a thing I have to do. I probably won’t be back until really late, so you should stay at Blue’s tonight.”

  Jessa pulled her hand away. “Are you in trouble?”

  Kylin flinched and gave a deep sigh. “Nothing that you need to worry about.”

  The others joined them, cutting the conversation short. They went back to the new house, and then Kylin and Jessa left them there to get settled.

  Kylin looked deep in thought when she said, “Would you like to go to my place?”

  Jessa took her hand. Whatever was going on, it was clearly affecting her. “Yes, I’d like that.”

  They walked quietly through the maze and took the stairs to Kylin’s house, which didn’t have a lift. There was laughter from the houses around it, and music, and some divine cooking smells. People shouted and greeted Kylin, and this felt more authentic, more like a community. Jessa liked it and could see young Kylin growing up here, among people who cared for her.

  Kylin took a deep breath, her hand on the door handle. “Remember, it’s basic, okay?”

  Jessa tugged on her shirt. “Just show me.”

  Kylin slowly pushed the door open and waved Jessa ahead of her.

  The house was comfortable. Lived in. Handwoven blankets covered well used chairs, the pictures were slightly yellowed with age, and the kitchen was small but workable. It felt like Kylin and her dad. Solid, comfortable, and without pretense.

  She turned to look at Kylin, who was looking at the floor, her hands shoved deep in her pockets. Her expression made Jessa ache for her.

  “I think it’s lovely. It’s warm and comfortable, the way a home should be.”

  Kylin shrugged. “It’s not the captain’s quarters on a ship, or a house in Othrys. But it’s ours.”

  The defensive tone, the way her shoulders hunched, the hardness in her eyes…it was all about keeping the sense of shame, of not being enough, at bay. Even though she wasn’t great at reading people, Jessa could see that clearly.

  “Show me your room?” She held out her hand.

  Kylin took it and led the way down a dim hallway. Her bedroom was brighter than the other rooms thanks to a large window. The corner was cluttered with parts of things partially put together and other metal things waiting to be used. The rest of the room was fairly sparse, with little in the way of personal effects. Beside Kylin’s bed was a photo box with a picture of her, her dad, and a woman Jessa assumed was her mother.

  “Wow. She was stunning.” She picked up the unit and studied her. “You look so much like her. Like both of them.”

  Kylin nodded. “Yeah. I got lucky there. I may not have a lot going for me, but at least I’m outstandingly sexy.” She grinned, but it didn’t reach her eyes.

  “Please tell me what’s going on?” Jessa cupped Kylin’s cheek in her hand. “Can I help?”

  Kylin held Jessa’s hand to her cheek. “The best possible thing you could do to help me tonight is stay at Blue’s, where I know you’re safe. If I can, I’ll explain everything after.”

  Jessa searched Kylin’s expression for anything more, something that might hint at what was going on, but there was nothing. “Does this have to do with the bounty? Or the woman you made the deal with to get us to Quasi?”

  Kylin let go of her hand and took the family photo. She studied it like she was trying to memorize it. “Both. It’s complicated. And hopefully it will be all sorted out by tomorrow, and I won’t have to worry about either one ever again.”

  “Kylin—”

  “Jessa, please. Let it go, at least for now.” Kylin opened the front door. “Let’s head back to Blue’s. I have somewhere I need to be.”

  Startled by Kylin’s harsh tone and stiff posture, Jessa walked past her and down the stairs. They were silent on the way back to Blue’s, and once they were there, Kylin didn’t go inside.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?” Kylin kissed her softly.

  “Sure.” Just as Kylin was about to walk away, Jessa grabbed her arm. “Whatever it is, please be careful.”

  Kylin’s laugh was utterly without humor. “I’ll do my best.”

  She walked away and was quickly swallowed up by the maze. Jessa went inside, dread pushing into her like a monster waiting to pounce.

  Blue sat at the table, sewing something, and Jessa sat opposite her.

  “Do you know, Kylin once stole bread from the baker. When she was just a young thing.” Blue’s fingers were nimble as they flew over the cloth. “He chased her through the maze, determined to teach her a lesson. She thought she’d lost him, and she slowed down. He couldn’t figure out why she wasn’t eating the bread, so he followed her at a distance.” She smiled and tugged the material straight. “She went to one of the poorest areas of Quasi and left the bread on the doorstep of a family that was truly struggling. She wasn’t a lot better off, but that family was going to starve to death.”

  “And did the baker come after her?” Jessa could easily picture that side of her.

  “He felt so bad for thinking she was a common thief, and he was so impressed by her desire to help someone, that he started making midnight deliveries to them himself. Good food meant the mother was able to recover
from her illness and get back on her feet. She found work at this bakery that was suddenly hiring…”

  One good deed. Kylin did something simple and showed someone else the way. The government official was right. She’d make an amazing ambassador, if she’d just trust herself enough to walk through that door.

  “Do you know what’s going on tonight?” she asked.

  Blue tugged at the material, maybe a little too hard. “I do.”

  “Will you tell me?”

  “Did you ask Kylin?”

  Jessa fingered the material. “She wouldn’t tell me anything, except that it has to do with her debt and the woman she made a deal with.”

  Blue tilted her head and considered her material. “And perhaps it’s best that that’s all you know.”

  “I don’t understand why. It’s not like she’s going out to murder people, is it? What could be so bad that I can’t know?”

  Blue put down her sewing and looked at Jessa. “You’re good for her. I can see that you make her happy, and the universe knows she could use some of that in her life.”

  Jessa waited for the caveat.

  “But you also come from a very different place, Captain Jessa. A clean, civilized world where people work things out. You’ve seen some of the horrors of Indemnion, but you can’t ever really understand what it’s like to live here. How you have to fight for every inch of space, every scrap of food. Life here is hard, and it can breed hard people.”

  “Kylin doesn’t seem hard. She’s kind, and gentle.”

  Blue’s eyebrows raised. “She is those things. But she’s more, because she’s had to be more. And after a few weeks of traveling with her, you haven’t really gotten to know her.” She touched Jessa’s hand gently. “When you leave, it will break her heart. I’ve seen it happen once before. But she’s expecting it this time, which makes it a little better. Maybe.” She gathered up her sewing. “Enjoy the parts of her you already like, and let the others remain in the shadows. It will make whatever time you have left together here better.” She went to leave but stopped. “We’re all allowed our secrets.”