Reclaiming Mystique (SpaceStalker Saga Book 2) by Bevan Greer Page A

that evil lived in all manner of existence. He would do all he could to restore Mikhel’s mind once the man’s body recovered. But he could only do so much.
    If I only had access to Mystique’s healing pools. I could fix what’s broken in so many ways.
    Frustrated at his stymied attempts to return to his world, he asked aloud to no one, “Why won’t you let me in? ”
    “In where?” Koneru barked from the doorway, staring at Jace in concern. “You sure you’re feeling okay?”
    “Just talking to myself,” Jace muttered and felt his cheeks heat.
    “I’d advise you to get some rest. You look like sherhu leavings.”
    Jace snorted. “Thanks so much.”
    Nesham reappeared in the doorway. “I checked the ship and can detect nothing odd about.” He gave Jace a solid examination from head to foot. “Nothing except our captain talking to himself, that is.”
    Jace looked at his solid crewmen, not wanting to leave them since he was responsible for them all, but knowing he would be no good to them until he took some well-needed rest.
    “An attempt at humor? From you, Nesham?”
    “What can I say? I’m awash in the joy of life,” the Fenturi deadpanned.
    Koneru coughed to hide a laugh.
    If Nesham could joke at a time like this, they might all actually recover from Dark World. “Very well. I’ll be in my quarters should you need me. But after you check the ship, make sure you both get plenty of rest yourselves. I only want one of you on at a time, and that’s just to make sure they haven’t followed. The autopilot’s set?” He looked to Nesham, who nodded. “Fine then. Wake me for third shift if I’m not back by then.”
    “Aye, Captain.” “Will do.”
    Jace knew he looked terrible as he walked stiffly and slowly from the room. It was that or fall on his face, sudden exhaustion crashing on him with the force of a falling meteor. He knew what they wouldn’t say in his presence. They wouldn’t wake him, trying to look out for his welfare while countermanding his orders.
    His lips quirked. There was certainly something to be said for his men’s loyalty. They would stand by him no matter what he said or did.
    Which made him wonder about his choice to command his ragtag crew. Had he made a mistake by becoming too closely entwined with the men? When the time came, he wouldn’t allow them to aid in his fight with the Cazeth, a battle that would mean their death. As stubborn as Koneru and Nesham were, Castor and Mikhel would undoubtedly be just as bad, demanding to stand by him.
    No sense in worrying about the future now when it will be here soon enough. He entered his room and sank onto his bed. Wanting to get clean but utterly exhausted, he instead fell into a deep and healing sleep, his mind clear of everything but Mystique.
    And his new guest lying so close, right next door.
     
    ***
     
    Naria woke feeling relaxed, something that rarely happened while at her father’s abode. Confused, she sat up with care, her eyes burning at the illumination around the base of the room. This place was much too bright for Dark World, even for the light cell and light garden. The air didn’t seem familiar either. Not suffocatingly abysmal or tainted with rot, and not humid. It smelled almost…clean. Light and metallic.
    She lay in a small gray room on a bed made, not of stone, but of a soft material. The temperature wasn’t hot or cold, but moderate. All the pieces of the puzzle came together, and she felt faint.
    Naria was no longer on Dark World.
    So happy to be gone from her prison of a home, she felt tears trickle down her cheeks, both from the strain of brightness around her and her joy. By the Light, the relief made her lightheaded. But how had she gotten here? And where was here, anyway?
    She didn’t remember anything past her sister’s voice calling out to her while she’d been incarcerated in her cell. Carinna. Worry for her sister couldn’t penetrate the deep gratitude at getting a break from the