Enticed By The Corsair (Corsairs, #3)

by Ruby Dixon

“Oh?” A hand brushes mine. I recognize the callused fingers and the fuzzy-soft skin—Alvos. He wants to hold my hand. I don't know if I'm pleased or worried. It feels like something is wrong. I twine my fingers through his and force my voice to be placid and even. “What's the next job? I thought we were hooking someone at the station with gambling.” “That can happen anytime,” Kivian says. “This particular job is more time sensitive. We're intercepting a shipment.” “What kind of shipment?” I ask idly, since it's awfully quiet in the room. If everyone's in here, they're not talking. Someone clears a throat. Male. I don't know who. Then, Alvos squeezes my hand. “You know who we're going after.” Cold washes over me. This is why everyone is here, then. This is why it's quiet and feels fraught with tension in the room. “You're going after Lord Unto,” I comment, my voice mild and bland as could be. Inside, I'm screaming. Outwardly, though, I'm so very calm. “Full name is Lord Unto'Abarri'Nil Vohs Bekhinto, Lord of Nine Sunrises and Ruler of the Thirteenth Moon,” says Kivian, and then he snorts. “Pompous ass.” No one laughs despite his pause, so he continues. “He's getting a shipment of illegal goods. Likely some human slaves, possibly other forbidden species. We don't think it's darkmatter or weaponry shipments because he's got a very small crew with him. We've touched base with a few contacts and found out that he's currently vacationing on his barge near Ekhos II's water moon. I...