The Dark of Light (Starhawke Rising Book 1)

by Audrey Sharpe

  “We’ve cleared the perimeter. Course is laid in to Gaia,” Cade said. “Approaching our jump window. Interstellar engines are online.”

  “Then let’s see what she can do.”

  She sensed a subtle shift in the energy field as the ship switched from the main drive to the interstellar engines, almost as if Star had taken a breath. Then they launched into the glittering void of space.

  7

  “Sahzade, this is incredible!” Mya stepped to the center of the spacious room and pivoted slowly, her face lit with child-like excitement.

  Aurora knew exactly how she felt.

  Nearly every available surface was draped, twined, or stacked with edible plants—vegetables ripe on the vine, leafy tubers, salad greens, herbs, melons and succulent berries. Stone pathways meandered through the dense foliage, ducking under trellised archways and climbing over several small bridges that crossed a babbling brook. The stream originated from a fountain near the doorway and ended at a reclamation pond on the opposite side of the room. Strategically placed lighting created the illusion of dappled sunlight, but could also simulate the night sky, or even clouds and storm conditions.

  Mya glanced at Jonarel, who stood watching her. “I suppose this was your idea?”

  He inclined his head.

  Mya’s voice was reverent as she stroked the glossy leaves of an orange tree. “It’s beautiful. Just…beautiful.” She trailed her fingers over the dark green orbs hanging from the tree, promising future delights. Her expression grew thoughtful. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but why on earth did you go to so much trouble?”

  Jonarel looked bemused. “The ship is designed to be self-sufficient for extended periods of time. Creating a space to grow a replenishing food source was a necessity.”

  Necessary, yes, but Jonarel had gone above and beyond. Aurora had been amazed by the design of this room when he’d first shown it to her a month ago, and together they’d made quite a few additions. It was a plant-lover’s wonderland, and Mya’s reaction was everything she had hoped it would be.

  Jonarel gestured to a wooden rack covered with rows of ceramic pots to Mya’s right. “Aurora also thought you’d enjoy having a dedicated space for medicinal herbs, given your interest in the subject.”

  Like everyone from their race, Mya had been born with the innate ability to grow plants. It was as much a part of her genetic code as her dark hair and brown eyes. Unlike her parents, who specialized in herbal therapy, Mya’s passion lay in studying extraterrestrial vegetation, especially those with potential medicinal applications. One of the perks Aurora had promised when she’d offered Mya the job of ship’s medical officer was the opportunity to study plants that few Earth physicians had ever seen.

  “And you conveniently located it right off the med bay.” Mya faced Jonarel. “That seems like quite a coincidence.”

  “Not at all. I believed Aurora would succeed in recruiting you as the ship’s doctor. I planned the layout accordingly.”

  Mya nodded. “Good guess.” She strolled down one of the winding pathways, her fingertips dancing across the tops of the plants as she passed. She gestured to the doorway on the far side of the room. “What’s in there?”

  “The storage pantry, which connects to the kitchen. You will find equipment and supplies for drying and storing your herbs there.”

  Mya shook her head. “You’ve thought of everything.” Retracing her steps, she stopped in front of Jonarel and rested her hip against one of the raised planters. “So Mr. Clarek, are there any impossible feats for the functioning of this ship that you haven’t been able to make a reality?”

  Jonarel’s dark brows lifted, and his gaze swept across the room. He shook his head, his thick hair brushing across his shoulders. “Not yet.”

  Aurora snorted with laughter.

  “Good to know you’re still humble,” Mya said under her breath.

  That comment earned her a rare Kraed smile. “Of course.”

  Aurora met Mya’s gaze and grinned. It was wonderful to be together again. She’d enjoyed being a Fleet officer, and certainly had no regrets, but she’d missed moments like this, moments that highlighted the easy camaraderie created by years of friendship and shared experiences. Thanks to Jonarel, she had that again.

  However, as captain, she couldn’t play hooky from her duties for long. And she had a task she still needed to accomplish here. “I’m sorry to break things up, but I should get back to the bridge.” She paused and fixed her gaze on Jonarel. “But before I go, there’s something I need to tell you.”

  Jonarel’s stance shifted, as though he was bracing for impact.

  Good thing. There was zero chance he’d like what she had to say. “I want to alert you that the temporary navigator the Admiral sent is someone you know.” She gazed into his golden eyes. “Cade Ellis.”

  As soon as the words left her mouth, the emotional temperature of the room dropped.

  Jonarel stood ramrod straight, his hands curling into fists. He took a step toward her, seeming to grow in the process. “Cade Ellis?” His voice was barely a whisper, but it cut like glass. His eyes flashed with a wild intensity that signaled barely contained rage.

  She resisted the urge to flinch. Forget the airlock. Judging from the look on Jonarel’s face, if Cade wasn’t careful, the Kraed might serve him a punishment far worse than being blown out into space.

  As she’d feared, she’d poked a sleeping tiger with a very sharp stick. But she couldn’t allow the situation to get out of hand. Not that she was in danger. Jonarel would sooner chew off his own arm than allow anyone, including himself, to harm her. But Cade might as well have a target on his chest.

  “Yes.” She met his anger head on. “Is that a problem?”

  Of course it was a problem. She was the one who’d spouted off about the dangers of overprotective Kraed males on the day she and Jonarel had met. He certainly looked the part of an enraged grizzly right now.

  But when his only response was a low growl as his lips pulled back from his teeth, her temper flared to life. “This situation is not what either of us would have chosen.” Her voice took on a hard edge.

  He opened his mouth to respond but she cut him off.

  “However, I am the captain of this ship and he is a crewmember under my command, at least until we reach Gaia. As such, I expect you to treat him with respect.”

  The look Jonarel gave her raised the hairs on the back of her neck. She took a step closer, her words rumbling out of her throat as she worked to control her temper and her fear. “If I see or hear anything that is unprofessional in your behavior toward him during that time, you and I will have words. Is that clear?”

  Waves of raw emotion rolled off of him, so thick she had trouble drawing breath. She’d only seen this type of behavior from him once before, and she’d been frightened then, too. She had to get through to him. Otherwise, things were going to get ugly.

  The silence stretched out as tight as a drum. She waited, giving him time to regain control. She could sense Mya’s fear too, skittering around the edges of the black cloud of anger coming from Jonarel, but Aurora didn’t dare break eye contact to check on her.

  Finally, his expression shifted, the burning hostility leaving his eyes, replaced with a wary tension. He stepped away from her, his taut muscles flexing beneath his tunic. But the lethal edge had disappeared. He gazed at her for several long moments before he responded. “Yes, Captain.”

  She searched for any sign that the storm would return, but he appeared to have locked it down. Satisfied, she nodded in acknowledgment. “I’ll be on the bridge.” She exchanged a quick look with Mya before pivoting on her heel and walking out of the room.

  The minute the doors closed behind her, she sank onto the nearest med platform and took a few deep breaths. Her pulse pounded in her ears as she struggled to calm her chaotic emotions.

  She’d known her revelation wouldn’t be welcome, but she’d seriously underestimated how Jonarel would reac
t. She’d hoped the calm of the greenhouse and Mya’s presence would soften the blow. It hadn’t. Jonarel had been ready to attack Cade. Correction. He’d been ready to kill Cade. She knew it as surely as she knew her own name. And yet somehow the two men would have to exist on the same ship without doing bodily harm to each other.

  What had been going through Jonarel’s mind? Even knowing him as well as she did, and understanding why he hated Cade, his reaction seemed far more intense than she would have expected. Did he know something she didn’t?

  She’d like to ask him, but not right now. Considering how he’d looked—eyes flashing fire, large hands curled with claws unsheathed, neck and shoulder muscles flexed—that discussion could wait until Cade was safely off the ship.

  Star’s gentle voice interrupted her thoughts. “Are you all right, Captain?” The Nirunoc materialized next to her on the med platform.

  Even after a month spent working with Star and Jonarel to get the ship ready, Aurora was still adjusting to the reality of a crewmember who could appear and disappear at will.

  Part of Star’s job was monitoring the wellbeing of the crew, so she’d probably heard most of the confrontation in the garden. Without any background information as to why Aurora and Jonarel would suddenly be arguing, Star’s appearance in the med bay made sense, especially with Aurora sitting like a stone.

  She met Star’s gaze. “Yes, I’m fine. Just working some things out.”

  Concern showed in Star’s honey-colored eyes. “Is there anything I can do?”

  Aurora shook her head. If only this situation were that simple. “No. But thanks for offering.”

  Star smiled gently and placed a hand on Aurora’s arm. Then the image dissipated.

  Standing, Aurora walked through the med bay doors and continued onto the lift. “Bridge.”

  The doors slid closed and the lift glided up, but her thoughts continued to churn. Jonarel was a study in contradictions, much like the classic Jekyll and Hyde. He had created a ship of incredible grace and beauty, one that was a perfect blend of science and art, yet he possessed a feral side that was capable of violent destruction. She was one of the few who had seen both extremes. Which one represented the real Jonarel?

  When the lift stopped and the doors opened, her gaze locked with the man who had triggered Jonarel’s Mr. Hyde impersonation. She wasn’t in the mood to deal with him, either, but she needed to get an update.

  “Status, Mr. Ellis.”

  His fingers danced over the console. “On course and on time, Captain. We should arrive at our destination in nineteen hours, thirty-five minutes.”

  “Thank you.” She started to turn away, but stopped herself. She’d just ordered Jonarel to treat Cade like a member of the crew. She needed to do the same. “I know you’re scheduled to be on duty for another three hours, but the ship has an excellent auto-pilot system. It can maintain our heading now that you’ve entered all the coordinates. If you’d like to get something to eat, I can have food sent to your quarters.” She gestured to Kire. “We can watch over things while you’re gone.”

  The first crack appeared in Cade’s professional veneer. “Trying to get rid of me, Captain?” His eyes sparkled with amusement and his voice lost some of its Fleet efficiency, sliding toward easy familiarity.

  The question startled her, as did the way he was looking at her. Teasing her had been one of Cade’s favorite activities once upon a time, but she certainly hadn’t expected him to do it now.

  She kept her response neutral. “Not at all. You’re welcome to stay on the bridge until your scheduled off hours if you prefer. But you were rushed getting here and might not have had time for a decent meal before we departed.”

  His mouth softened into a smile, and the look in his eyes grew warmer. “Thank you for thinking of me.”

  Was he flirting with her? Surely not. And yet something in his manner had definitely changed. For a reason she could not possibly fathom, Cade Ellis was trying to charm her.

  For all the good it would do. She kept her voice cool as a Colorado autumn. “If you change your mind, inform the Commander before leaving the bridge.” She headed toward the door to her office.

  “Yes, Captain.”

  Damn him. Only Cade could make that word sound like an endearment.

  “Nineteen hours and thirty-four minutes to go,” she muttered as she entered her sanctuary.

  Her comband vibrated a moment later.

  “Yes?”

  “Captain, you have a message waiting for you from the Admiral,” Kire said.

  She paused. Why hadn’t he told her while she was on the bridge? Because you didn’t even look at him. Cade had rattled her so badly she’d completely ignored her first officer. Not good.

  “Thank you. I’ll review it now.”

  She sat down at her desk and tapped the screen to bring up the message.

  We’ve received an update from Gaia. They suffered more losses last night. The Rescue Corps teams will have a base camp set up by the time you arrive. Report there. The Chancellor said they’re starting to see the first signs of panic, so you’ll need to do whatever you can to keep everyone calm. We don’t want to add fear-induced pandemonium to the list of problems.

  Report back as soon as you’ve conducted your preliminary evaluation.

  Of course the Gaians were terrified. Their planet was dying.

  Her concerns about Cade and Jonarel faded into the background as her focus returned to her mission. Clearing the vid screen, she called up the files the Admiral had provided. One way or another, they would find out what was causing the destruction and stop it. They had to. The alternative was simply not an option.

  8

  Celia Cardiff leaned over the pot of simmering tomatoes and took an appreciative sniff before adding a pinch of basil to the mixture. “So what’s the deal with Aurora and Ellis?”

  Mya stood like a statue beside the counter in the Starhawke’s galley kitchen, her body language telegraphing tension and anxiety. She glanced at the doorway to the greenhouse and sighed. “It’s a long story.”

  “Uh-huh. I figured as much.” Celia lifted a strand of pasta and popped it into her mouth. Perfect. She snagged a colander and dumped the contents of the pot into the basin. “I’m guessing they dated once upon a time.”

  “Yes. Back at the Academy.”

  “Did he end it, or did she?”

  “He did.”

  Oh boy. After studying his personnel file and talking to him during the trip to the bridge, he’d seemed like an intelligent man. But if he’d dumped Aurora, he’d just been reclassified as an idiot.

  “Emoto doesn’t think much of him, does he?” The first officer’s glacial attitude toward Ellis was a stark contrast to his behavior on all previous occasions.

  “No, he doesn’t.”

  She divided the pasta into two bowls and ladled the pomodoro sauce over it. Heaven. She’d never imagined such a feast would be possible onboard a starship, or that she’d have the freedom to prepare it. Prior to her trip to the med bay to find Mya, she’d spent the previous hour with their ghostly crewmember going over the ins and outs of the ship’s abilities.

  She’d been unnerved when Aurora first introduced Star, but the Nirunoc was a security officer’s dream come true—the ultimate watchdog. That was an unexpected bonus, and freed Celia up for other things. Like cooking. And getting answers to the questions that had been swirling in her head ever since Aurora had blanched at the sight of Cade Ellis.

  She’d planned to serve the meal in the observation lounge that opened off the kitchen to the stern of the ship, but this conversation seemed to call for privacy. She carried the bowls to the small wooden table in the alcove near the pantry, settling onto the bench facing the kitchen while Mya sat across from her.

  “What about Clarek?” she asked, placing her napkin in her lap and picking up her fork. “He must have known Ellis at the Academy, too.”

  Mya didn’t answer, and not because she was eating. T
he tension radiating from her increased, giving Celia some idea what, or rather who, had triggered her friend’s unease in the first place.

  “He doesn’t care for Ellis, either, does he?”

  Mya swirled her fork in the long strands of capellini. “No, he doesn’t.”

  Hmm. Judging by Mya’s tone, their engineer hated Ellis. And from the way Clarek looked at Aurora, it was easy to imagine why.

  Aurora had never talked about Clarek as though they were romantically involved, but there was something there, a vibe that spoke of more than just friendship. Aurora might not be certain whether she wanted to pursue it, but Clarek’s behavior indicated he’d be open to the idea. If Ellis had dated and dumped Aurora at the Academy, that would have given Clarek cause for his anger. A Kraed’s protective streak ran deep. “Is there anything I should be aware of?”

  Mya’s lips thinned. “Let’s just say those two should not be allowed in the same room together.”

  “Is Ellis a security threat?”

  Mya shook her head. “No, nothing like that. He’s always had a strong sense of duty to his work.”

  Strange. There was a touch of admiration in the way she said it. “What do you think of him?”

  Mya’s eyes took on a far-away look, like she was watching scenes from the past playing in her head. “Honestly, I don’t know. For a while, he was good for Aurora. She became so intense at the Academy, so focused, almost to a fault. Cade helped her loosen up, not take herself so seriously.” She put down her fork and rested her chin on her hands. “But in the end, he couldn’t accept her for who she was. And that hurt her worse than any physical blow could have.”

  That confirmed it. Ellis was an idiot. Physical wounds, even those that seemed unbearable at the time, could heal. Emotional scars were a lot harder to overcome. She’d learned that the hard way. If Ellis had inflicted that kind of pain on Aurora, he would have to tread very carefully during his short stay on the Starhawke if he wanted to arrive at Gaia in one piece.