“Where is the comm?”
“Right here.” Depphi scurried toward a crowded desk and shoved things aside to reveal the desktop unit.
It was an older model but good enough for what Garik needed. He jerked his head to the side for Depphi to go stand across the store and then angled his body to block Depphi’s view of the screen.
The encrypted code was as familiar as his name though he’d rarely had cause to use it. When the screen was answered on the other end, a shadowy outline appeared then a gruff voice demanded, “What do you want, Denikon?”
“Transport. Asap. And you owe me, Sulen.”
A snarl was the response he got followed by rapid curses. “Where are you?”
The tension eased in Garik’s shoulders. He knew he could count on Sulen. No matter how harsh and off-putting he came across, his fellow assassin and Gerelin was dedicated about responding to calls for help. “Quantoon.”
Sulen barked out a laugh. “That shit hole?”
Garik snorted. He agreed about Quantoon being the last place anyone wanted to be. “Yeah. That’s it.”
“One minute.”
There was a pause and Garik heard the rustling on the other side as well as the tapping of keys. Sulen muttered a curse and the gravelly sound worried Garik. The screen cleared and Sulen’s rough features and furrowed brow appeared on screen. His black hair was in disarray as usual.
“Are you aware, Lord Maurin, who owns Quantoon has an alert out for you and a female he claims you abducted from his household?”
“Yes.” Garik didn’t elaborate.
Sulen rolled his eyes. “I won’t ask. According to the system I broke into, there are orders to shut down the transport center by midnight tonight. No ships will be allowed to land or take off effective immediately once that order is in place.”
Garik’s fingers clenched. The transport Saedra paid for wouldn’t arrive until tomorrow morning. If Sulen was correct, that would be too late and neither of them would be leaving. He had to get Saedra to safety then come back and do what he was paid to do. “I need to be out of here before then.”
Sulen arched a brow and his green eyes narrow. “You’re lucky I like your non-social ass.”
More keys clicked on the other side. Garik waited and every second that passed increased his level or worry. Outwardly he remained calm but inside he was a roiling cauldron. He wanted to get back to Saedra, he wanted off of Quantoon and he had a very bad feeling about this.
“Alright. I have someone willing to come there. A former friend from the Guild. Only one problem. They’re several hours away. By the time he arrives, it will be cutting it pretty close.”
Garik gripped the back of his neck. Checked on Depphi who was sorted clothing and seemed to be distracted. Former friend could mean anything but it wasn’t like he had a lot of options. Lowering his voice, he asked, “How close?”
“Eleven. He’ll come in under the guise of delivering cargo. You’ll need to take off within minutes of landing because the records he’ll use won’t hold under scrutiny.”
Garik would make it work. “Done. Give me the info.”
Sulen rattled off the details using a code they’d learned in the Guild. Garik locked it in his memory. He and Saedra had until tonight and then they’d be on a ship leaving Quantoon behind.
“Thank you, Sulen. Consider the favor paid.”
Sulen nodded. “Good luck.”
Garik ended the transmission. Depphi immediately stopped doing what he was doing and faced Garik with an eager expression. “Is there anything else I can do for you?”
“No. We need to get back.”
Depphi grinned. “No problem. When this is over, my favor to you will be paid in full right?”
Garik folded his arms across his chest and eyed Depphi until his ever changing skin blanched three different colors. “Yes. As long as you don’t betray me, Depphi, we can consider us done.”
His smile was relieved. “Good. Good.”
***
When Garik returned with the Chamele, Saedra was instantly relieved. The nerves which had been brewing during the short time they were gone had been close to breaking.
“Is everything alright?” she asked as soon as they entered and crossed to his side.
Depphi offered her a slight bow. “I will leave you both in my home. It is time for me to open shop at the marketplace. If I stay closed, it will look suspicious.”
Garik placed at hand at Saedra’s waist but spoke to Depphi. “Remember, don’t mention to anyone that you’ve seen us. At all, Depphi.”
“Of course, of course,” Depphi agreed, backing away toward the door.
“It wouldn’t end well for you,” Garik added.
Depphi swiped at his face and hurried out the door, the lock clicking behind him.
“What did your friend say,” Saedra pressed.
“Maurin is closing the transport station at midnight tonight. No ship or shuttle will be allowed to land or take off from that point on. My contact has someone with a ship who will be here tonight one hour before that deadline goes into effect.”
Saedra processed this and did the calculations. “Is there anyway we can leave sooner?”
It seemed awfully dangerous to wait to the last possible moment to go.
“It’s the earliest possible arrival time. I know we’ll be cutting it close but for now it’s the only option.”
Saedra placed her hands on Garik’s shoulders needing the touch to ground her. “So we only need to stay hidden until tonight. Then we can leave?”
“Yes.” Garik placed his other hand on her opposite hip and kept her faced toward him. “It will be dangerous. If this goes the way I think, we’ll have to rush to the ship and have them take off instantly. Maurin will also have more guards out because he knows its our only way off this rock.”
Oh, her father would definitely increase the patrols. Shutting down the transport station was his way of forcing Saedra to stay here, but he couldn’t understand her level of desperation. He didn’t think she had it in her to push back and rebel like this. “Do you really think we have a chance, Garik?”
He cupped her chin and tipped her face up. “Nothing he does or tries will keep us here. I promise you that.”
She wanted to believe it. “Alright.”
Saedra leaned forward and placed her head on his chest. The thud of his heart provided its own reassurance. A small part of her would worry right up until they were safely far away. She ran her hands up Garik’s back, enjoying the sensation of the broad muscles rippling beneath her fingertips. He lowered his head to rest his jaw on top of her hair. They stood like that for a moment and Saedra allowed her body to soften against his.
“Trust me in this, sesi.”
And she did. It was her father Saedra didn’t trust. “I trust you, Garik. I know you’re doing the best to get us out of here.”
He squeezed her once then stepped back. “Good.”
Saedra clenched her hands in the folds of her skirt to resist reaching for him again. It was getting to the point where she only felt safe in his arms. That was ridiculous. She shook her head and straightened her shoulders. She’d gotten this far in life by herself and could handle this development too. There would be plenty of time to see if Garik truly meant they were to be together as bond mates.