The Way Back (Champions of the Crystal Book 4)

Chapter 6.1

Back in Emalicia's disused room, Lndor and Sabrina conferred hurriedly over their scanners. It looked like Ford must still be with Varla—no lifesigns registered in his room. Neither Aurora nor Major Ilyanan registered anywhere on the scans.

"I'll go underground and try again," Lndor said. "With all this interference, I may have to be fairly close to get a reading."

"Be careful," Sabrina said. "It's night, so there shouldn't be many people around. Don't get caught, whatever you do."

"If I can survive being the Prince's lab partner, I can survive this," Lndor assured her, apparently in earnest, as he moved off.

When we all get out of this, I've got to get somebody to tell me the story behind that remark, Sabrina resolved. "Well," she called softly after him, "Varla's his lab partner now."

She barely heard Lndor reply, "That's the most hopeful thing anybody's said to me all day," as he vanished down the corridor.

Making her way back to Ford's room, she saw that there was one guard still outside it, not very alert. Sabrina paused to compose herself; she must pretend to be a servant returning with supplies for her master. She hefted the ragged sack that held her combat suit, two stunners, a blaster, and a scanner underneath a pile of fabric hastily snatched from Emalicia's room, in case she was searched. She hoped she didn't smell too nice after her thorough shower aboard Khediva; around here that would probably stand out.

The guard grunted at her with a single glance as she passed him to open the door, then returned to his half-doze. He looked like the same one that had been on duty that morning. Were they that short-staffed here? If so, no wonder the guards napped on watch.

Sabrina looked around the room, thinking. Should she curl up on the pallet on the floor? Or did she dare risk the bed? What would Varla consider normal? Finally she decided that Ford's innuendoes certainly entitled her to the bed. She was glad to pull the light fabric over her against the rapidly chilling night air, hoping she didn't have to wait long.

As it happened, she was just in time. No sooner had she settled herself to be reasonably comfortable than she heard footsteps and the sound of the guard outside jerking to alert.
Varla's clear, carrying alto came through the door as if it weren't there at all. "Will your pet be awaiting your return after all this time?"

"I only hope she hasn't grown too impatient," Ford replied, opening the door.

Sabrina blinked in the bright light from the doorway and smiled. "At last!" she said, trying to sound sleepy. "Where have you been? I've missed you."

Was that right? Too petulant for a slave? Maybe she shouldn't have questioned him. This is definitely not a role I'm cut out for.

Ford was silhouetted against the light in the door as he came forward, but she could feel his smirk even if she couldn't see it. "Well, I'm here now, pet," he soothed, "so wipe the sleep out of your pretty eyes and wake up."

He was sitting down on the bed, and still Varla hadn't moved to close the door. Oh, brother. How far are we going to have to take this in front of her? she thought. She could see Ford's face now, at least the half of it closer to the door, but his expression gave her no hint as to how he wanted to play this scene. She decided to try directing it herself. "You look so tired, my prince," she said, managing to sound at least a little distressed. "Would you like me to massage your shoulders again, to help you sleep?"

Ford's eyes glinted with amusement. "What a clever pet you are. That is exactly what I should like."

Sabrina sat up and crawled over behind him so she could reach his shoulders. After a moment, Varla left, the guard closed the door, and Sabrina sighed with relief.