Labyrinth (Deuces Wild Book 3)

by Ell Leigh Clarke

  Nickie led them along the route Meredith had given her, screaming encouragement at them as they went. One of the vents exploded in a hail of shrapnel that only just missed Keen and Adelaide.

  Nickie looked back and saw they’d slowed. “Do not stop putting one foot in front of the other until we are safe and sound, do you hear me? Now fucking run! There’s the tunnel.”

  They picked up the pace again once they’d squeezed into the tunnel. It shook around them, the walls and roof showering them with ash and dust. It twisted and turned, and they ran in labored silence for what felt like eons as the volcano shook itself to pieces around them.

  As they neared the exit, the rising magma began to gain speed. The imminent eruption was no longer imminent.

  Nickie’s enhanced vision picked up the increase in the light level just before they rounded another bend and found themselves in a large cave.

  Adelaide cheered exhaustedly. “We made it!”

  Nickie took a moment to check everyone over. Grim was clearly running on empty but still carried John resolutely. Keen leaned on a rock and heaved in grateful lungfuls of air, but appeared to be fine otherwise. She glanced back at the tunnel they’d just left and saw the familiar dull glow of the approaching magma. She pointed to the tunnel. “We haven’t made it yet. Let’s go.”

  Nickie recognized their location as soon as they stepped outside of the cave and she saw the bare rock below. They’d dismissed this cave as an entry point since it would have been a bitch to ascend the smooth slope.

  However, as an emergency exit, it couldn’t have been more ideal.

  “Just like a slide,” Keen chuckled. “Only if we get stuck on this one, we die.”

  “Best get going then,” Nickie replied.

  Chapter 18 Nickie

  Rebus Quadrant, Planet Zuifra, Reinek, Outside the Volcano

  They began the descent, doing what they could to stay in control of their speed. Gravity and the urgency of the approaching lava flow won out, and they arrived at the bottom of the volcano in tangled heaps of bruised and battered limbs.

  The group scrambled to their feet as the biggest rumble yet shook the ground beneath them, and a dark cloud appeared at the edge of the caldera.

  Nickie didn’t give anyone a chance to freeze up. “Grab each other and run!”

  The pyroclastic cloud spilled down the volcano toward them, and they raced for their lives once again. The boiling ash began to pick up speed, and Nickie didn’t know if they were going to make it. Visibility was down to nothing, and all she could hope was that they could all hold on until they reached the ship.

  The blue line in her HUD cut out suddenly. Meredith, where is our exit?

  Look up.

  Nickie shielded her eyes against the hot ash rain and saw the Penitent Granddaughter coming in to land. Thank fuck for that. She let out a long, slow breath as the relief of seeing her ship set in.

  The others were just as happy to see Durq open the ramp to let them in. The ramp stirred the ash as it landed with a soft thump and they all piled onboard. As the ramp began to close behind them Grim’s legs finally gave way, and he lowered John to the deck

  Keen came over to help John, who stumbled on his broken ankle and fell backward toward the door. Keen grabbed him and pulled him back, then stumbled from exhaustion himself as he took the other man’s weight.

  John hung onto Keen to steady himself and they laughed as they hugged and backslapped. “Appreciate the assist, man.”

  “Any time,” Keen replied. “But you know you owe me now, right?”

  They laughed again and set off for the med bay, using each other as crutches.

  Nickie sat on a crate getting her breath back when Durq almost knocked the wind out of her again with a bearhug. He released her and nodded without making eye contact. “Glad you’re okay.”

  Nickie got up, and for the first time, the little Skaine didn’t flinch away from her. She grinned and gathered him in a return hug. “I’m happy to see you, too.”

  Rebus Quadrant, Aboard the Penitent Granddaughter, Mess

  Nickie sat back in her chair, already feeling half-healed.

  The Yollin whiskey probably had a lot to do with it, although having good company to share in the victory was actually pretty sweet as well.

  They were all clean, fed, and rested, and the meal Grim had prepared, as well as the amount of alcohol they had washed it down with, had left them relaxed and companionable. Keen and Grim were up to their usual pastime of competitive story-telling for the group’s entertainment.

  Nickie sipped her whiskey and smiled at Grim’s recounting of how Keen had shoved him into the crevice and blocked his view of Nickie’s fight with the rock monster. “What about you, Adelaide?”

  Adelaide looked at Nickie with the eyes of a woman who’d had a long day and just a smidge too much to drink. “Huh?”

  “What made you step up like that at the bridge?”

  Adelaide’s eyes widened in comprehension. “Oh, that! I just decided to take Grim’s advice. Life’s too short to quit when it gets hard. I had value on this mission I hadn’t expected to.”

  John clapped in agreement. “Well said! So, what happened on the other side of the bridge? I couldn’t see a thing from where I was.”

  Adelaide gasped. “It was the strangest place! Like…” She sniggered as it came to her. “Like another planet! I couldn’t see a thing above my waist once I headed into the steam, and it was too hot to stand anyway so I had to crawl along until I found the plants. I just grabbed them and got the hell out of there.”

  Grim turned to John. “Will your father be okay now?”

  John nodded. “He will, and I couldn’t have done it without all of you.” He raised his glass. “A toast to teamwork!”

  They all joined the toast, and the storytelling resumed. Keen launched into an anecdote that required a lot of space to tell. Grim, Adelaide, and Durq moved to the end of the table to get a better viewing position, leaving Nickie and John to chat at the quieter end.

  John sat next to Nickie, picking at the remainder of his food. He pushed his plate away when Nickie upended the last of the whiskey into their glasses. Half his face was obscured by a large dressing over the broken cheekbone he’d gotten fighting the monster, and he sat slightly twisted to keep his broken ankle elevated on the chair between them.

  Nickie nodded at his plaster cast. “Bet that didn’t go as easily as my shoulder.”

  John chuckled. “That’s putting it lightly. I meant what I said about teamwork. I really couldn’t have succeeded without you.” He ran his finger through the puddle of condensation caused by his glass. “That’s what I learned from this. It’s okay to lean on others when you need help. I thought I understood that when I decided to come looking for you, but I didn’t. Not really.”

  Nickie glanced over at the others as they burst out laughing again. “I think you’re right. They’ve gotten under my skin, whether I like it or not. I’m trying not to push them away because I care.” She broke off while she dealt with the lump forming in her chest. “I just don’t know why it has to be so damn hard to trust people.”

  John looked at her thoughtfully. “You must trust me to tell me this.”

  She looked away. “You’re just easy to talk to. Anyway, it’s not like you’re sticking around, so…whatever.” She got up and drained her glass. “I’m gonna call it a night, get some sleep before we get back to the colony. You want a hand getting back to your quarters?”

  John smiled. “That would be great, thanks.”

  She hooked his arm over her shoulder and waved to the others.

  “Night!” Adelaide called cheerily.

  Keen continued his story as they left the mess and headed down the corridor toward the sleeping quarters, laughing and joking until they reached John’s door.

  Nickie shrugged his arm off and stepped back to give him space to get to the door. The alcohol she’d consumed had left her feeling contemplative, and his comment a
bout trust hit home. As he turned to say goodnight, she gave in and stopped denying herself the chance of a connection. “You could stay with me tonight.”

  John’s dimple appeared at the edge of his dressing. He took her hand. “I could… And I want to. But no.”

  Nickie frowned. “Why, if you want to?”

  He grinned. “Because I just watched you make the decision. I want you to think on it for a while first, okay?” He leaned in and kissed the corner of her mouth. “But when you’re ready…” He stepped inside his quarters and closed the door.

  Nickie stood there for a moment, totally unable to process what had just happened. She regained her composure and continued to her quarters. She got inside and leaned on the door after she’d closed it behind her. Meredith?

  Yes?

  What the fuck just happened?

  I don’t know what you mean, Nickie.

  I mean, is John really for real? She stared at her empty bed. Most guys would have taken the wild night and been done. Fuck, why did he have to be one of the respectful ones?

  You don’t want to be respected?

  I think a certain amount of healthy fear is okay, but this scares the shit out of me. What do I do with a good guy? What if I break him or something? She changed into a t-shirt and climbed into bed. A thought slipped across her consciousness as she passed into sleep.

  What if he changes me?

  Rebus Quadrant, Themis Colony, Mess Hall

  Nickie felt a little bit like she’d come home. She was surrounded by people she knew and didn’t hate. People who had been glad to see her return. That had surprised the hell out of her since she hadn’t gone to any great lengths to fit in. Her actions had apparently spoken for her, however, because the colonists had welcomed her back yesterday with open arms.

  The continuing improvement in the colony’s quality of life now they had the food situation in hand was a big deal to them, and last night she’d been dragged up on stage by Raynard, along with the other workers, to celebrate the success of the biomes.

  The vibrant atmosphere was the same this morning in the bustling mess hall as people hurried through breakfast to begin their day’s work. It warmed Nickie to see the confidence returning to the colony, and it was also satisfying to know she’d had a hand in hope returning.

  John stood up with his breakfast tray. “Will you all come to see me off?”

  There was a round of yesses from everyone around the table, but John’s eyes rested on Nickie as he spoke. “Great. I’ll be leaving as soon as my pre-flight checks are done. I have to get this plant back to my father.”

  They gathered at the airfield a short time later to say their goodbyes. John went to each of them to give them his thanks for their part in his success.

  Keen slapped John on the back and laughed loudly. “You know, we made quite the team out there.”

  John grinned and returned the gesture. “That we did. But I have to get back with the plant and claim my place as future leader.” He hugged Nickie tightly. “When I’m done back home, I’m heading out of this quadrant. Maybe I’ll see you around sometime?”

  Nickie tilted her head. “You’re going back to the Federation? Then no.”

  John grinned his easy grin. “Nuh-uh, the other way.”

  Nickie frowned. “But there’s nothing out there.”

  He winked at her as he entered the Briar Rose. “That’s what we want you to think.”

  The door to the ship closed behind him, leaving Nickie standing on the airstrip with her mouth opening and closing in indignation.

  “You ok?” Adelaide asked.

  Nickie growled and stalked toward the Penitent Granddaughter. “That man!” She stopped and looked back at the others. “Well, are you coming? Ship can’t leave without its crew.”

  Chapter 19 Nickie

  Rebus Quadrant, Aboard the Penitent Granddaughter, Bridge

  The ship lifted into the atmosphere. The mood on the bridge was one of celebration and excitement for the new beginning they had grasped. When they were well underway, everyone undid their harnesses and began talking about where they would go next.

  Nickie watched them from her customary position in the captain’s chair with her feet crossed on the console. These were her crew. Hers. She settled in.

  Durq flitted from person to person, never staying for more than a snatch of conversation. Nickie saw the improvement in his confidence, though.

  She remembered the quivering mess he’d been when she’d rescued him from being his former shipmates’ dinner and grinned at the sight of his creepy-ass smile, which now that she’d seen it a few times wasn’t so creepy anymore.

  Keen pottered around after Grim, who was gratefully showing him the ropes and enthusing about being able to devote himself to his art. Adelaide stayed at her console, already deep into the Granddaughter’s technical manuals.

  Nickie hadn’t experienced this before. Sure, she’d lived alongside it, but she’d always held herself aloof, never fully immersing herself in the concept of belonging. She had come to the conclusion long ago that she would rather be alone, but now she realized that she wanted something more than solitude.

  She knew she still had a hell of a long way to go, but she didn’t feel the maybe anymore. She felt the tiny beginning of hope.

  It is good to see you this close to contentment.

  Nickie broke from her reverie at Meredith’s interruption. I guess I do feel pretty good about things.

  Will this good feeling extend to sharing your space over a longer period of time?

  Nickie considered the question for a long moment. I don’t know. Before I would have said they all come with too much baggage, physical and emotional. I would have run screaming from it. Now…it doesn’t seem like such a big deal if someone leaves their gear lying around or wants to talk about their day.

  And what about the prince?

  Nickie’s mouth twitched. Him? He’s a pain in my ass already. I kind of like it, though. I want to know what he was being all mysterious about before he left.

  She got up out of her chair to speak. “Okay, crew, it’s time to stop the chin-wagging and get on with finding our next adventure.”

  Keen stood to attention. “What are your orders, Captain?”

  Nickie sat down again. “Oh. Um, I haven’t gotten that far yet. Before John left, he said something about heading away from his homeworld. In the opposite direction from the Federation.”

  Keen’s frown mirrored Nickie’s earlier confusion. “But there’s nothing in that direction. Just empty space.”

  Nickie shrugged. “That’s what I thought, but John hinted differently. I can’t resist a mystery.”

  Meredith joined in via the speaker. “I have scanned in that direction, but this Skaine technology is not picking anything up.”

  Nickie waved a hand. “See? It’s fucking odd. There must be something out there. So, orders…wanna go and poke around and see what we find out there?”

  Keen hurried to his seat and began strapping in. “Yes, Captain!”

  “Yes, ma’am!” Adelaide chirped.

  Durq clapped with excitement.

  “Permission to whoop?” Grim asked.

  Nickie grinned. “Permission granted. Set a course for the mystery, Meredith.”

  “Already done,” Meredith replied. “I’m just awaiting the order.”

  Nickie put her feet back up on the console and twirled a finger. “Make it so.”

  Unknown Location

  The purloined message on the screen was paused on John Deblanc’s earnest face. It was a lucky intercept, caught by chance. It could be nothing, but it could also be exactly what he’d been searching for.

  He played it to be certain before he notified anyone else:

  “Hi, Mom, Dad. Sorry I kinda disappeared for a while there. I didn’t mean to worry you so much that you sent someone after me.”

  John appeared suitably abashed for a moment, then he grinned and held up a bunch of plants with their
roots wrapped in cloth to the camera. His message continued:

  “The legends were true, and I made it through the volcano alive. I have the cure for Dad!” He stashed the plants and faced the screen again. “I have so much to tell you both, but I know you’ll want to hear this first. I went to find the woman you sent to come help me. You must have known I’d find out. Anyway, did you know that you sent an actual Grimes after me? Anyway, I’m on my way home now, and I’ll tell you both all about Nickie and her crew when I get there. Love you both.”

  The video ended and the young prince’s face froze on the happy-go-lucky grin once again.

  The message remained paused.

  A few moments later there was a knock on the door of the office.

  “Come in,” the viewer of the message called.

  The door opened, and a woman strode in and perched on his desk. “Hey, what’s up?” She glanced at the tablet on his desk. “Ooh, who’s the cutie?”

  He slid the tablet over to her. “Prepare yourself.”

  She frowned and took the tablet. “What is it?”

  “Just watch.”

  She pressed Play and watched the short message in silence.

  Then she watched again, and again.

  She was about to play it a fourth time when the tablet was tugged gently from her hands. She looked up with tears tracking down her cheeks. “Does this mean…”

  Barnabas nodded. “Yes, Tabitha. She is beginning to heal.”

  FINIS

  Awakened

  Have you read AWAKENED, book one of The Ascension Myth, the first series from Ell Leigh Clarke and Michael Anderle? Click the link below to start reading today.

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  Author Notes - Ell Leigh Clarke

  Written August 12, 2018

  Thank yous!

  As always massive thanks goes out to MA for working on this project with me… even while he’s gallivanting across half the continent… and otherwise. (He’s probably already told you he was in Asia for a few weeks this month!).