Guardians of Paradise by Jaine Fenn Page B

buyers to catch up with me.’
     
    ‘Is that safe?’ asked Nual. ‘Could the Sidhe pick up your beevee communication?’
     
    ‘If the Sidhe have got good databreakers they could theoretically spot messages being routed to me, but they’d have to actively search through massive amounts of well-protected data, and that would attract attention. I’d prefer to assume they haven’t got that much power.’ He stood up. ‘While we make our way to Xantier Station we should talk to our guest.’ He went over to the medical couch. ‘It’s probably best if you two stay back there, out of his line of sight. Nual, there’s a good chance he won’t co-operate, in which case, I might need to call on your talents. If that’s all right.’
     
    She must have sensed Taro’s unease, for she spoke in his mind
     
    Taro projected reluctant acceptance.
     
    Out loud Nual said, ‘I will help if you need me to.’
     
    Jarek strapped the pilot firmly onto the couch, then made adjustments to the drips and monitors. When he was satisfied, he stood back and waited.
     
    After a few minutes the pilot twitched, then groaned. He tried to move his arms, grunting in surprise when he found he couldn’t. Taro didn’t see him open his eyes but he saw the way he stopped struggling and focused on Jarek.
     
    His voice hoarse, the pilot said, ‘You—? You killed them, you bastard!’
     
    ‘That’s right,’ Jarek said calmly. ‘Your mistresses are dead. They’ve been dead more than three weeks, and we’re far from Serenein. But you’re still alive and back in good shape now, thanks to me.’
     
    ‘I don’t owe you shit.’
     
    ‘I didn’t really expect gratitude. And I’m guessing you don’t particularly want to tell me about your life with the Sidhe.’
     
    ‘Go fuck yourself.’
     
    ‘That’s pretty much what I thought you’d say.’
     
    The pilot snorted. ‘Is this the bit where you tell me there’s an easy way and a hard way and I just picked the hard way?’
     
    ‘Actually, no.’ Jarek gestured towards Nual, who got up and began to walk across the room. ‘This is the bit where I introduce you to my friend.’ He stepped back. The pilot turned as far as his restraints allowed.
     
    ‘What—?’ he said, confused. Then his eyes widened. ‘My God, you’re—’
     
    ‘Aye,’ said Nual. ‘I am.’
     
    She stood close enough that he could have touched her if his hands had been free. They stayed like that for some time, silent, staring into each other’s faces. The only thing that moved was the pilot’s heaving chest.
     
    Taro felt a flash of jealousy; this was the first time she’d shared head-space with anyone other than him. He pressed his hands together and tried to fight the feeling.
     
    Finally Nual shook her head and took a step backwards.
     
    The pilot closed his eyes and let go an explosive sigh.
     
    An expression of dismay on her face, Nual said,
     
    She must’ve been speaking in Jarek’s head too, for he started moving at the same time as Taro.
     
    They followed her up the ladder. On the bridge the viewing bubble was half open. A couple of the distant lights were moving, which seemed to Taro like an odd thing for stars to do. When he stared at them, Jarek said, ‘Those are other ships. This is a busy place.’ Then, to Nual, ‘So, what was all that about?’
     
    She folded her legs and sat down on the floor; Taro followed suit. Jarek took the couch.
     
    ‘His mind is not like that of other humans,’ she said. ‘Though the Sidhe have conditioned him to worship them, his contact with them has also given him some ability to resist their powers. I cannot force him to co-operate with us.’
     
    ‘Damn it,’ said Jarek. ‘How about just charging through? Never mind what he wants, go in there and get what we need to know. He had his chance to tell us freely and