One Fell Sweep

“Are you sure you want to come?”

He looked at me for a minute. “I’m going to pick up some equipment. Don’t leave without me.”

“And if I do?”

“I’ll have to chase you in my ship and blow the galaxy’s existence wide open. Please don’t leave without me.”

He headed out the door.

I crossed my arms and looked at Caldenia. “Does everyone have an interstellar ship except us?”

“You should get one.” She licked the jam from the corner of her mouth. “We do have to keep up with the Joneses, my dear.”

* * *

Being catapulted into orbit by the summoning gate was about as fun as riding one of those towering carnival rides without restraints. It made you want to vomit and you were one hundred percent certain that you were going to die. Logic said that only three seconds passed from the point Sean and I stepped into the blood-red glow until the moment we landed in the transport bay of Arland’s ship, but it felt like much longer. I blinked, adjusting my backpack on my shoulders. Arland estimated that the entire trip would only take two days, and I had packed light.

Sean had packed heavy. A large military-style duffel bag, packed to the breaking point, rested on his back. He carried a smaller duffel. I had a feeling that the smaller duffel was the one with his clothes. He scanned our surroundings like we were in enemy territory.

I looked around, too. Gray square stones lined the floor under my feet. Similar stones climbed the hundred-foot-tall bulkhead of the huge chamber around us. Long vines with narrow pale green leaves dripped from the stones, their delicate pink flowers spicing the air with a gentle aroma. The crimson banners of House Krahr stretched over the walls. In the middle of the chamber a beautiful old tree with black bark spread its massive branches with wide green leaves and crimson blossoms. A stream rushed through an artificial river bed, falling in an artful cascade of small waterfalls and winding under the arches of the tree’s roots. The illusion of standing in the courtyard of a vampire castle was so complete, I could barely believe we were on a spaceship.

I glanced at Sean. “Extravagant.”

He shrugged. “It’s space. No friction means little need for aerodynamics.”

“But mass is still a factor.” The heavier the ship, the longer it took to accelerate and decelerate and the more fuel it required.

“Vampires,” Sean said, the way parents usually said “teenagers” when their children were out of earshot.

A door slid open in the far wall and Arland appeared, in full armor, moving briskly toward us. The sight of a vampire in syn-armor was impressive. Arland had taken it up a notch. He didn’t walk, he strode, like a tiger within his domain.

“Look,” Sean said under his breath. “He’s making an entrance.”

Keeping the two of them civil would prove a challenge. “He’s doing me a big favor. Do you think you could refrain from baiting him for the duration of this trip?”

“I’ll try. But it’s going to be difficult.”

A female vampire, also in full armor, ran up to Arland and thrust some high tech tablet under his face. Arland waved her off and marched on.

“Very difficult,” Sean said.

“Try harder,” I murmured, trying to keep a friendly expression on my face. “I’m sure you can do it.”

“My deepest apologies.” Arland hit me with a dazzling smile. “I was held up by the petty minutia of House matters.”

“No apologies necessary,” I told him. “Thank you so much for your help. I’m deeply grateful.”

Arland turned to Sean and narrowed his eyes. “That’s a lot of hardware.”

They must’ve scanned Sean’s big duffel.

“Better to be prepared.”

“Where did you get the weapons?”

“I have my ways,” Sean said.

“I’m watching you,” Arland told him.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

And that’s just about enough. “Lord Arland, it’s so kind of you to lend us your ship.”

He smiled. “It’s my pleasure. Please, this way, Lady Dina.”

Arland held out his arm bent at the elbow. I was on the grounds of House Krahr. When in a vampire ship… I rested my hand on his forearm just below his wrist. He didn’t shoot Sean a triumphant glance but his expression told me he wanted to. We strolled down the path around the tree to the exit.

“I must ask your forgiveness. While this is my personal vessel, humble as it may be, it is still of military purpose and by necessity of function is spartan in appearance.”

I caught a glimpse of Sean’s face. His expression was completely neutral.

“It’s very beautiful, my lord.”

“It pleases me immensely that you like it. It is home away from home, so to speak.”

We passed through the doors into the hallway.

“I’m curious, how will the inn fare without you?” Arland asked.

I had avoided thinking about the inn for almost three minutes. He had just broken my winning streak.

“My sister provided me with exact coordinates. With luck, she will be waiting for us, so we should only be gone for a short while. The inn can take care of itself.” Assuming Officer Marais didn’t come snooping, Caldenia didn’t murder anyone because she found them appetizing, Orro didn’t have a nervous breakdown because he couldn’t buy groceries for two days, and if all of them plus Beast managed to keep their cool, the inn should be fine. I hoped. At least Wing had checked out before I left. He asked for the nearest inn, and I sent him to Brian Rodriguez near Dallas with strict instructions to not take any detours.