“Good. If you do anything to hurt or frighten her, I will put you in a spacesuit and send you for a walk outside. If you’re lucky, Lotkez will pick you up. If not, not my problem. We clear?”

“We would never harm a burbu,” Chira murmured, outrage clear despite her soft tone. “We understand.”

“Good. Same thing goes if you start poking around in our heads without permission.” I paused, thinking about Havil’s question. “I know some of you may be empathic and can’t help picking up stray emotions, but if you actively try to read us, you will break the contract, and I will happily keep your money as I sail off without you.”

“I have briefed them on the contract requirements,” Torran said. “They will abide by the terms.”

“If nothing slows us down, it’s five days to Bastion. I’ll work up the duty roster tonight, but for now, you can settle in and familiarize yourselves with the ship. Kee will show you around.”

Kee hopped up from her station and beamed at the group of unsmiling Valoffs. Kee looked delicate and harmless, and she was, unless you threatened her or hers. People always underestimated her, but she was perfectly capable of defending herself long enough to call for help, even outnumbered.

I hated sending her out as bait, but if we were going to be double-crossed, it was better to know now.

“Come on, I’ll give you a tour and show you the best places to hang out.” She headed for the door, talking as she went. “And we’ll let Luna out of the galley on our way by so you can meet her before she ambushes you.”

I tensed at the mention of Luna. The Valoffs already knew about her, so it wouldn’t be a surprise, but Torran’s volcanic reaction was still fresh in my mind.

Kee continued talking as she led Chira, Varro, and Havil from the bridge. “Luna likes to jump on people, but her claws are really sharp, so we made these little shoulder guards for her to use as landing pads. You should get Tavi to show you how to make one, too.”

The door slid closed, cutting off Kee’s bright voice and leaving me with the intense urge to follow her. Instead, I got to deal with Torran, who’d remained behind. I painted on a pleasant expression and reminded myself that he was a paying client.

I could be civil for two months. But it was going to be a challenge.

Chapter Seven

Torran remained by the door while his sharp gaze cataloged the bridge a section at a time. Starlight wouldn’t give up her secrets so easily, but it was better to distract him before he started digging deeper.

“Not interested in a tour?” I asked him.