Del was surprised to see the Shays pitching in with the loading as if they were regular crew, taking orders from Lynch without protest and working just as hard as the rest. Kai took over one of the loaders while Sin inspected and settled canisters with the grounded crew. Del tried to picture Griffin doing the same thing and couldn't even come close. Whatever else they were, the Shay twins were unique.
The refinery workers seemed to regard the lot of them with both curiosity and puzzled humor. Del figured that they'd probably seen stranger crew, but not by much. The loading actually drew a small crowd, which dispersed only after the crew disappeared into the haulers to get cleaned up.
While standing in the sanitary, Del wondered if it really was the antics of the crew that had drawn attention. The others had done a good job of distracting him, keeping him from asking any questions by putting him into a loader for the first time and keeping his attention on them and not the cargo. He suddenly realized that they'd stowed a huge amount of the Abantium on both ships, taking up almost all of the space within the cargo bays and leaving barely enough room for the Shadows and loaders. But he had no experience with couriers—was that normal? He didn't know, but he planned on finding out.
When he came out of the ship, he found most of the crew idling between the haulers. Chairs had been set up along the sides of the ships and music was playing somewhere. Cassie was supervising the loading of the refinery's food onto a long table hovering between the ships. The others waited with quiet patience, chatting with one another in a more subdued way than he'd seen of them so far. Del figured that they must finally be getting tired. He sure as hell was.
Sin and Kai sat a little apart from the rest, dressed again in disquieting black. Kai was stretched out like a lazy lion, chair tipped back to rest against the side of the Rock and hands linked behind his head. Sin was sitting next to him, leaning forward with her elbows on the chair arms and rolling a bottle between her hands idly. They were watching the rest of the crew with faint, aloof amusement, like cats watching mice play within reach. It was both unnerving and irritating to Del how the two of them could look so dangerous and so attractive at the same time.
Approaching the table, he muttered to Cassie, “Do they have to look like they just swallowed a canary?"
She chuckled and handed him a plate. “They're pleased that everything's gone so well today. Including you, by the way.” She gave him a brilliant smile when he glowered at her. “You're fitting in sooo nicely,” she simpered, batting her eyelashes at him, and then snickering at his look of disgust.
"Cut it out, Cass, or you'll kill my appetite."
"Be nice or I won't let you help me carry their plates over so we can sit with them.” She slanted a look up at him through her lashes as she took a plate. “We might just overhear something."
He gave her a level stare. “You don't look that devious, but damned if you aren't."
"Thank you,” she said without the slightest bit of shame.
"But,” he continued as he began to fill his plate, “I think you know a lot more than you let on."
That serene half smile reappeared on her face and she didn't answer. It was answer enough and Del snorted. He kept his peace, though, and helped her fill two plates for their bosses. He had a feeling that Cassie was either playing a deeper game than he knew or was more soft-hearted than he took her for. She didn't need to overhear anything, but she was still allowing Del that possibility. He didn't know why she would do that, but he also wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth.
Each carrying a pair of plates, they headed towards the Shays. As they approached, Kai's lazy demeanor disappeared and he surged forward with a look of hungry anticipation on his handsome face. As Cassie handed him a plate, he purred, “My angel,” but he was looking at the food and not her.
She scoffed and handed the other plate to Sin, rolling her eyes. “Only when I bring him food."
Sin chuckled and thanked them as they sat in chairs close by, Del managing to claim the one closest to Sin. Del handed Cassie her plate, and she murmured thanks as they began to eat. In spite of what Cassie had implied, the Shays didn't seem inclined to talk at all.
"I'm surprised they didn't mind bringing the food here instead of having us go to their cafeteria,” Cassie commented at the start of the meal. All she got were shrugs from the siblings, but Del stared at her thoughtfully, considering her words.
He had the good sense to wait until they'd all finished eating before trying any questions, though. While Cassie gathered their plates and returned them to the table, he asked bluntly, “Why so much Abantium?"
The twins exchanged a look of secretive amusement that made Del grind his teeth. Then Kai returned to his relaxed position and Sin turned her gaze on Del. “That's how much was required,” she said smoothly, eyes assessing as they traveled over his face.
He wondered just how much she could see when she looked at him like that. “Is it normal to load the haulers so heavy?"
"It's common. And if we'd taken larger ships, the trip would just take longer."
"Are we expecting trouble here?"
"Now why would you say that?” Sin asked with an amused tilt of her head.
Cassie had returned in time to hear his question and kicked him in the ankle, but he ignored her. “The owner came to talk to you personally. The refinery workers are curious as hell, and you've got us eating here instead of leaving the haulers alone."
A slow smile curled her lips and touched off fire inside of him, but Sin wasn't the one who answered.
With a lazy roll of his head, Kai gave Del a heavy-lidded look of amusement and flashed him a white grin. “That's why I like you, Giv,” he said. “You're one suspicious bastard."
Which wasn't an answer. Del opened his mouth to point that out, but Sin gave a slight shake of her head and interrupted, “There's no trouble here.” She was more convincing than Cassie had been. In fact, she looked like she was telling the truth.
With a crease between his brows, he fell silent.
Without comment, Cassie handed him a drink, nodding when he thanked her. The other crew members had been quiet during the meal, but Bib had convinced Sunny to dance with her and he was being teased about his performance by Jinx and Fern. Sunny scoffed at them to do better, so they rose to the challenge.
"Where do they get the energy?” Cassie sighed, and Sin chuckled in response.
Sitting back in his chair, Del watched the dancers with mild amusement and an insidious feeling of contentment. Part of that was the good meal and the knowledge of a job well done, but the part that worried him was the gratification of being with this group—in this group. And sitting next to this woman.
Del studied Sin out of the corner of his eye, taking covert pleasure in the fine curve of her cheek and the dark sweep of her lashes. He should be wary of her and he was, but that only seemed to add to her attraction. Her dangerous beauty was only a fraction of what called to him. The way she could change from teasing imp to cool command, and bloodthirsty predator to touching vulnerability was endlessly fascinating. He wanted to know her inside and out. He wanted...
"Uh-oh,” Cassie muttered, breaking into his thoughts and making him start guiltily. But she wasn't looking at him. “You know where this is going,” she said softly to the Shays, her eyes flicking to them before settling back on the crew.
Sin and Kai were both smiling as they also watched the crew, but there was something in those smiles that made the hair stand up on the back of Del's neck. He focused his attention on the group in front of them, realizing that they'd gotten much louder and more energetic in the time that he'd been mooning over Sin. They weren't arguing exactly—their expressions were still light. But they were all speaking over one another, and he couldn't tell what they were saying, until Fern stepped away from them towards the Shays and exclaimed, “Come on. Show us how it's done!"
There was a short silence before the others started babbling encouragement, waving for the twins to get
up. Del had no idea what they were talking about.
"Just this once—"
"Please?"
"Yeah, show us!"
They fell silent as the twins looked at one another. Then Kai shrugged and said, “Why not? A little demonstration wouldn't hurt."
There was a quick, eager murmur that ran through the group before they fell silent again, waiting on Sin's response. “All right,” she said in a tone as bland as oatmeal. The group erupted into a raucous of cheers and whistles.
"Guys...” Cassie muttered warningly and cast a nervous glance around the docking bay, as the two of them stood and moved away from the side of the ship. Neither Shay acknowledged Cassie's warning, and she subsided with a pinched look.
"What's going on?” Del asked her, but she just shook her head sharply and didn't answer.
The crew fell into a breathless silence as the twins faced one another, their expressions solemn. Tension built to a palpable level, nearly crackling through the group, and Del eyed the two siblings with growing concern. Then suddenly Kai stepped forward and caught his sister around the waist. Without hesitation she lifted her arms, placing one hand on his shoulder and one on his palm as they spun into a stately waltz. They danced together with a kind of liquid grace that was mesmerizing, their movements blending with perfect accord. It hardly mattered that the music wasn't anywhere near a waltz.
But apparently that wasn't what the crew had wanted from them. They groaned and yelled insults at the dancing pair until Kai swept Sin into a deep dip, her back bowing in a graceful arc as her hair cascaded towards the floor in a black ripple. There they paused, both sets of green eyes blinking at the crew with baffled innocence.
"What?” they asked in perfect harmony.
"That's a dirty rotten trick!” Jinx yelled.
Del realized belatedly that Cassie was snickering behind one hand, her nervousness gone. He leaned closer and asked, “What the hell just happened?"
The crew was still haranguing their bosses, who straightened and dusted themselves off with expressions of offended injury. “Damned dance critics,” Kai said, and Sin sniffed in autocratic agreement.
"Ever heard of the Circle of Fire?” Cassie asked Del quietly, a grin still on her fine features.
"No ... wait, does that have something to do with the Red Sun Order?"
"Yes. You know that order is kind of, ah..."
"Violent? Militant? Crazy?"
"Yeah,” she murmured, slanting him a look of dry amusement. “They have a series of challenges for their ascetics, usually performed in the Circle of Fire. Hand to hand combat, with or without weapons, in an arena that neither can leave until there's a victor.” She paused, watching him with cool brown eyes.
"So? What's that got to do with...” He paused, blinking at her for a long moment. “They wanted a demonstration ... Are you trying to tell me that—that the Shays are Red Sun ascetics?"
She shook her head, a smile finding its way across her mouth. “They never accepted the calling. But they've both been in the Circle. Many, many times."
Del sat back in his chair, trying to absorb the implications of what she'd revealed. He watched the Shays pretend to be insulted, realizing now why they moved with such dangerous, sleek precision. And why Sin had reacted to Nick being at the temple. She'd said the Order had felt that they had a calling at the Shay station. Del wondered if the Order would subject itself to an offensively busy station just to influence or convert the twins. Granted, the Shays had power, but was that enough for a religious sect? The Golden Sun Order was usually the one that followed political and commercial lines of power. What was the Red Sun's motivation for influencing the Shays? Or was it the other way around?
Del shook his head, trying to clear it of the thoughts swirling in ever more complicated twists through his brain. Looking up, he caught sight of the solemn expression on Cassie's face and the sharp clarity in her brown eyes as she studied him. How much of his thoughts had been written on his face? “What are you thinking?” he asked impulsively.
For a second, he thought she'd actually tell him, but she turned her face away with a wry smile quirking one corner of her mouth. “I was thinking it's time for us to catch some shuteye.” She nodded towards the group.
Glancing up, he saw that the Shays had stopped dissembling and were herding the protesting crew towards the hatches as refinery workers cleared the table.
"I need you all rested for tomorrow,” Sin said with implacable calm.
Kai followed her comment with, “And I could use some peace and quiet.” When he got disagreeable grumbles, he continued in a mocking tone, “Now don't forget to brush your teeth, san behind your ears, and go potty. There's a good crew."
He got some chuckles and some insulting comments, but they went without further protest. With a furtive glance at the refinery workers, Cassie rose to her feet and Del followed suit. Cassie smiled for the twins, but said nothing as she and Del headed for the Tank's hatch. Del nodded to Kai and got one in return, but as he passed Sin, she said, “Goodnight."
Del paused with a faint frown. “Aren't you coming?” he asked, and then could have kicked himself for how that sounded.
"In a bit,” she replied with an evasive smile, eyes sliding away from his.
He couldn't really pursue it without looking even more like a fool, so he gave her a curt nod and followed Cass through the hatch. Cassie shot him a knowing grin over her shoulder, but didn't stick around to see him scowl at her. Calling first on the bathroom, she disappeared into the crew quarters. Del could hear Jinx babbling away in the common room, so he ducked in there.
Quan and Jinx did not look like they were getting ready for bed. Quan was fiddling with some VR gear while Jinx fidgeted next to him and rambled, “...to level three, but I got scragged midway. There's some trankin’ scorbs I could use a wingman on. With your help, we could blast ‘em to picons! Ain't never seen level four and—hey, Del.” Jinx gave him a quick grin.
"What's this?” Del asked, flicking a finger at the VR gear.
"The Tenth Hell of Karse,” Jinx answered in a reverent tone, eyes flashing with anticipation. “Best Sun-damned VR game in the galaxy! Wanna play?"
"No, thanks. Wouldn't sleep after. Doesn't that hype you guys up?"
Quan flashed Del a grin that made him look as young as Jinx. “This shit's warm milk to guys like us. Right, Jinx?"
"Got that right!” Jinx exclaimed, reaching eagerly for one of the thin headsets.
With an amused shake of his head, Del said, “Have fun,” before backing out of the room and heading for the crew's quarters. The quarters were in near darkness, and he paused to let his eyes adjust.
From one of the beds, Cassie's voice floated through the darkness to him in a mumble, “Don't turn on the light."
"I won't,” he answered as he headed towards the bathroom.
When he came back out, he had to allow his eyes to adjust again. After a moment, he could see the small lump that was Cassie in one of the bottom beds. Shuffling over to the sleeping area, Del pulled himself up and rolled into one of the top beds.
It was passably comfortable for a ship bed. He stretched and scrunched the pillow under his head, linking his hands beneath it and staring at the dark bulkhead above him. His muscles grew heavy with a pleasant lassitude, but his mind wouldn't shut off. The day had been a busy one, full of new experiences and revelations. His brain reviewed them with obstinate repetition, keeping him awake for a long while. He was still awake when Jinx and Quan scuffled in and flopped into their respective beds. Time ticked by with monotonous tedium, and eventually Del began to feel his eyes droop.
When he struggled to open them, he realized that he'd been fighting off sleep subconsciously. He'd been waiting for Sin. He fell asleep waiting.
Chapter 15
"You should tell him,” Cassie commented as she handed a cup of coffee to Sin and sat down next to her at the commons table. “He's too smart and curious. He's going to figure it out eventual
ly. And if you don't tell him, he might find out just enough to make him dangerous."
"I'm aware,” Sin said with patient calm, sipping her coffee gratefully. She hadn't slept well in the pilot's chair, but sleeping within a few feet of Del would have been impossible. Spending so much time with him yesterday hadn't dulled his effect on her. In fact, it had made it worse, honing it to a fine edge that whittled steadily away at her defenses. She'd been grateful for the buffer of her brother and the crew. If she'd been alone with Del when he'd asked her in his deep voice if she was coming to bed, his dark eyes sending shivers of heat and cold over her skin, she would have answered him very differently.
"Yeah, but are you awake?” Cassie asked with dry amusement.
Sin glanced up to see Cass studying her. “I look tired,” she said, stating it rather than asking.
"You look tired,” Cassie confirmed with a nod. “Did you keep watch all night? I could have spelled you."
"I slept some,” Sin answered evasively, not willing to admit the real reason she'd been up. Cassie didn't seem to suspect her growing attraction to Del, and that's the way she meant to keep it.
Cassie made a noncommittal noise and took a sip of coffee, eyes lowering. She was quiet for a moment, and Sin waited patiently. She could see by the tension around her friend's mouth that Cass had more to say.
"I told him about the Circle,” Cassie said abruptly, not meeting Sin's gaze.
Sin had suspected as much. She remembered the look on Del's face after she and Kai had danced the waltz instead of the more deadly dance the crew had wanted to see. “Bad, Cassie. Bad,” she said in her most droll tone of voice.
Cassie slanted a quick, amused look at her. “You're not mad?"
Sunscapes Trilogy Book 1: Last Chance Page 20
