Chapter 74

Chapter Seventy-Four

Selen paced in the cargo hold, hands on hips, head bowed, attention far away. It was the look Connor had feared: locked in and ready for a fight.

He stopped several meters away, hiding in the shadows created by the flickering light they’d never had a chance to fix and breathed deep, giving himself permission to feel good about what he’d done.

The air was cool and fresh, the atmospheric recycler working at near-peak effectiveness despite the loud hum coming from the overhead vents.

The landing gear was functional—barely.

Without Drew, they were lucky the ship could even fly.

Connor cleared his throat and stepped into the bright light. “What’s this about?”

That snapped Selen out of her pacing. She wheeled around. “I didn’t hear you.”

“I know.”

What he would give to have Toshiko there with him. He could remember the tea with its subtle sweetness and herbal depths.

That had been a source of tranquility and strength.

Maybe he could draw on those memories.