Read Online The Steel Harvest by J.D. Miller - Free Book Online Page B

Carter pulled his pistol out, laying it in his lap while he dropped his bag beside him. He lifted the small firearm, running his hands over the cool silver surface.
    “You don’t think it will come down to that, do you?” Silvia asked, her eyes resting on the pistol.
    Carter said nothing. Suddenly sick of the thing, he tucked the gun safely into his coat’s breast pocket.
    “No,” he managed after a moment. “No, I think…I think everything will turn out all right.”
    “And if it comes down to it?”
    “Then I’ll do what I have to.”
    Silvia nodded. Carter looked down, avoiding her gaze.
    I’ve never fired my pistol. I’ve never killed a man. But if I have to?
    Carter steeled himself. If the moment arose, he would keep Silvia safe. The details were irrelevant.
    “Anyway.” Silvia coughed, shooting Carter a weak smile. “Let’s get going. It’s nearly time, is it not?”
    Carter grinned, the tension diffused. “Why, hungry much?”
    “It’s not my fault I’ve gone from three meals a day to a meager two.”
    Carter sighed.
    Better not make her wait much longer, unless I want her playing me for the fool in front of Ramus.
    “Yes, I do suppose now is as good a time as any,” he said, standing. “Ramus should be prepared by now.”
    Silvia broke into an excited grin. Jumping up, she pulled her scarf around her neck. Then, arranging her hair so it partially hid her eyes, she bolted out the door. Carter watched her go. After blowing out the candle next to the door, he followed her into the hall. Her light footfalls could be heard echoing down the hall as she ran downstairs.
    My god, she’s a handful.
    Stepping down lazily toward the ground floor, Carter couldn’t help but grin.
    Did I really forget what it’s like to be that energetic? To be that excited over my next meal?
    Downstairs, the crowd backed up out the door, the dinner rush in full swing. Festive cheers bounced around the room, signaling the end of the week. Entering the rabble, Carter scanned the room, taking everything in.
    Silvia stood propped against the wall. Her scarlet eyes darted back and forth underneath her bangs, as if absorbing as much as they could. Her mouth hung half open.
    “Pubs are quite the sight to see in the evenings, aren’t they?” she muttered, refusing to look away from the crowd.
    “Indeed,” Carter agreed. “Ramus has made quite a name for himself here, too.”
    “There’s nothing like this on The Shell.”
    “Oh?” Carter turned to Silvia.
    She smiled. “Life down here is so much more…personal.”
    Carter nodded, watching his companion.
    Silvia chuckled to herself, her eyes far away on some distant memory. “When I was little, my father would take us to an observation platform,” she muttered. “I would use telescopes to look down at the villages sprinkled around the world and wonder what it was like down here.”
    “Well, is it all you hoped it would be?”
    “The jury’s still out. But, I mean, at least it’s never boring down here.”
    Silvia’s gaze finally broke away from the sea of people, locking with Carter’s. He swallowed, refusing to look away. She smiled, a tinge of pain muddying her grin.
    Still. There’s no place like home.
    “Hey! Carter! Silvia!”
    Their heads turned in perfect unison. Ramus stood at the other end of the bar, waving from the small door at the back of the pub. Silvia waved timidly, playing the part of a shy town lass. Watching her, Carter scowled slightly.
    “Don’t break his heart too badly,” he murmured. “Ramus has grown rather fragile from his time as innkeeper.”
    “Oh?” Silvia smirked over her shoulder. “This should be quite fun, then.”
    Without hesitation, she stepped forward, making her way through the crowded bar. Carter followed, noting several patrons who turned to watch her pass.
    She really is charming when she wants to be.
    Unfortunately, Silvia seemed to know this. Glancing at her admirers, she feigned bashfulness, pulling her