Read Online Moonbeams and magic by Janelle Taylor - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Janelle Taylor
Tags: Fantasy fiction
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"Any particular reason?"
"Several."
"Such as?"
"Nothing worth telling you. Besides, it's in the past, long gone."
Dagan realized he wasn't getting much information from her. She was as tight-lipped as a Kalfan leech, and was on tense alert. He wondered why he was making her so nervous, since she wasn't worried about him betraying her to Tochar. He finished his drink. "Any family?"
"No, all dead. What about you?"
"The same. My ship was my home and I miss her; she's probably been destroyed by now."
"That's too bad; our ships become like a part of us. It's certainly impossible to come and go freely without one."
"Where and when did you learn to pilot a ship?" he asked.
"Long ago and by somebody special to me." My father and brother.
"How long have you been living and traveling alone?"
"Apparently not long enough, since I'm still doing it."
"Doesn't it get lonely and scary for a woman in space by herself?"
"Is that how it affects you, why you're willing to be a lander?"
Dagan surmised she was amaizingly quick and clever, an expert at this sort of get-nowhere conversation. He was more impressed and intrigued by the preon. "It happens on occasion to the best of us, doesn't it?"
"If you say so. But I'm not alone; I have an android for company."
"I know; Moig told me. But a robot isn't the same as a real person."
"Cypher is. He's the only companion I need, that I trust fully."
"You're a strange and beautiful woman, Starla Vedris, but a captivating mystery. Are you always so distant and secretive with everyone?"
"I prefer it that way; work and diversion never mix well." They definitely would not mingle safely and wisely with you, Dagan Latu.
"Are you speaking from experience?"
"Let's just say I'm convinced of that conclusion."
Dagan saw her green gaze widen and her enticing mouth part in surprise when he asked, "Are you interested in To-char as a man?"
"Tochar has a lover; Palesa. Beautiful and . . . feminine. I'm certain Palesa is very talented at servicing his needs." Cravings for both sexes would be his only reason for having a Binixe lover. At least his carnal preference had prevented any sexual overtures toward her. She had been ready to allege she was a lesbian if such an offensive predicament arose.
Dagan leaned closer to her from across the small table. His gaze meshed with hers. "You didn't reply to my query. Are you afraid to answer?"
Starla decided that if she were compelled to get closer to Dagan for any reason, she musto't allow him to think she was chasing after or was involved with their leader. "In the sense you mean, I'm not attracted to or bound to any man, including Tochar, and even if Palesa didn't exist. My sole interest here is my work. Why would you ask such a personal question?"
"Are you displeased you'll have to work with me?"
"Why should it bother me? One partner is as good as another, if he has the skills to be my equal and backup. If not, he doesn't work with me. So, why did you ask if I had any interest in Tochar or any other man?"
"What if a teammate finds you lacking in some vital area?"
"That hasn't happened so far. Now, reply to my previous query or our conversation is over."
Obviously she didn't fear his answer or she would stop pressing for it. Was she hoping he would admit to an interest
in her? If so, he mused, why? "Just curious. Td hke to see your ship. Any chance for a visit?"
"You will, if you join our unit, because we use it sometimes. We were on the Liksa that deega we met. Tochar often pairs me with Moig.*'
"From your look and tone, you would prefer Auken or Sach; right?"
"Yes; they have more skills and prowess and personality. Moig seems to enjoy harassing me under the guise of silly jokes. I find that annoying."
"I promise to make you an excellent partner when we travel as a team, which I hope is very soon. How old are you?"
Stars afire, go trekking alone with you! "Twenty-two yings, why?"
"Just curious. Would you like another drink? Your glass is
"Several."
"Such as?"
"Nothing worth telling you. Besides, it's in the past, long gone."
Dagan realized he wasn't getting much information from her. She was as tight-lipped as a Kalfan leech, and was on tense alert. He wondered why he was making her so nervous, since she wasn't worried about him betraying her to Tochar. He finished his drink. "Any family?"
"No, all dead. What about you?"
"The same. My ship was my home and I miss her; she's probably been destroyed by now."
"That's too bad; our ships become like a part of us. It's certainly impossible to come and go freely without one."
"Where and when did you learn to pilot a ship?" he asked.
"Long ago and by somebody special to me." My father and brother.
"How long have you been living and traveling alone?"
"Apparently not long enough, since I'm still doing it."
"Doesn't it get lonely and scary for a woman in space by herself?"
"Is that how it affects you, why you're willing to be a lander?"
Dagan surmised she was amaizingly quick and clever, an expert at this sort of get-nowhere conversation. He was more impressed and intrigued by the preon. "It happens on occasion to the best of us, doesn't it?"
"If you say so. But I'm not alone; I have an android for company."
"I know; Moig told me. But a robot isn't the same as a real person."
"Cypher is. He's the only companion I need, that I trust fully."
"You're a strange and beautiful woman, Starla Vedris, but a captivating mystery. Are you always so distant and secretive with everyone?"
"I prefer it that way; work and diversion never mix well." They definitely would not mingle safely and wisely with you, Dagan Latu.
"Are you speaking from experience?"
"Let's just say I'm convinced of that conclusion."
Dagan saw her green gaze widen and her enticing mouth part in surprise when he asked, "Are you interested in To-char as a man?"
"Tochar has a lover; Palesa. Beautiful and . . . feminine. I'm certain Palesa is very talented at servicing his needs." Cravings for both sexes would be his only reason for having a Binixe lover. At least his carnal preference had prevented any sexual overtures toward her. She had been ready to allege she was a lesbian if such an offensive predicament arose.
Dagan leaned closer to her from across the small table. His gaze meshed with hers. "You didn't reply to my query. Are you afraid to answer?"
Starla decided that if she were compelled to get closer to Dagan for any reason, she musto't allow him to think she was chasing after or was involved with their leader. "In the sense you mean, I'm not attracted to or bound to any man, including Tochar, and even if Palesa didn't exist. My sole interest here is my work. Why would you ask such a personal question?"
"Are you displeased you'll have to work with me?"
"Why should it bother me? One partner is as good as another, if he has the skills to be my equal and backup. If not, he doesn't work with me. So, why did you ask if I had any interest in Tochar or any other man?"
"What if a teammate finds you lacking in some vital area?"
"That hasn't happened so far. Now, reply to my previous query or our conversation is over."
Obviously she didn't fear his answer or she would stop pressing for it. Was she hoping he would admit to an interest
in her? If so, he mused, why? "Just curious. Td hke to see your ship. Any chance for a visit?"
"You will, if you join our unit, because we use it sometimes. We were on the Liksa that deega we met. Tochar often pairs me with Moig.*'
"From your look and tone, you would prefer Auken or Sach; right?"
"Yes; they have more skills and prowess and personality. Moig seems to enjoy harassing me under the guise of silly jokes. I find that annoying."
"I promise to make you an excellent partner when we travel as a team, which I hope is very soon. How old are you?"
Stars afire, go trekking alone with you! "Twenty-two yings, why?"
"Just curious. Would you like another drink? Your glass is
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