As she passed the dark recess where Falise hid, the woman asked, “I take it my actions meet your approval, Lady?”

“They do. Serve me well, and you shall have everything you desire.”

“Consider the deal done, Lady.” And Charlotte continued on her way, the fabric rustling around her long legs.

Chapter 16

  16  

Word had spread. Talina was shocked at how quickly all of Port Authority was aware that Kylee Simonov was in town. That Tip Briggs was in surgery.

She wondered if going to Inga’s was the right call. All eyes were on her, Kylee, and Dek as they descended the worn chabacho-wood stairs to the tavern’s lower level. She could feel Kylee’s building panic. The kid was a wild thing after all, more at home alone in the bush than even sitting at Madison’s and Chaco’s table. In the recent past, her only interaction with humans had been among the Unreconciled out at Tyson Station, and they’d been scared to death of her and Flute. Did everything they could to keep their distance.

Inga’s tavern was just the opposite. From the reaction of the sixty or so people crowding the tables, each and every one wanted a look at the famous Kylee Simonov. Dya’s daughter. The quetzal girl who’d bonded with Rocket and rode through the forest on Flute. The girl who had saved Kalico Aguila and Private Briah Muldare out in the forest at Tyson Station. They gaped, pointed, and said things like, “There she is.” “Wow, look at her face.” “Check out those eyes, quetzal, I tell you.” “Look how long her legs are.” “She moves like a hunting cat.” “Think she’s more human or quetzal?”

Talina shot a narrow-eyed warning at those who would have leaped to their feet and approached for a better look. Well, all except Hofer, already half soused, to whom she ordered, “Later. We’re here to eat in peace.”

And through it all, Talina kept a firm hand on Kylee’s shoulder, feeling the crackling tension running through the young woman’s body. “Easy,” she muttered from the side of her mouth. “Sometimes, being a celebrity really sucks, huh?”

“Famous? I keep hearing people say that.” Kylee almost trembled when both Lee Marston and Pete Morgan doffed their hats, bowed, and gave her nods of recognition.

“Get used to it,” Dek told her easily as he waved to friends and led the way to the far end of the bar.

To Talina’s irritation, both Shig and Kalico were already seated. She led Kylee up to the bar as Kalico and Shig moved down to open the seat next to hers. Dek had stopped to run interference, politely explaining to folks that Kylee, Talina, and Kalico had business to discuss. In PA, that pretty much bought privacy.

Kylee dropped her packs and rifle on the floor, before she climbed uncertainly into the chair.