Page 32 of The Last Hunt
“A bargain,” Aethon agrees. He pulls her hand towards him. “While we’re bargaining - how about we also promise two other things?”
“What would those be?”
“Once we’re done,” Aethon says. “You give me the location of the Menace.”
“Fine,” Maeve says with a nod. “And the second?”
Aethon looks at her, his eyes serious. He squeezes her hand, and Maeve feels a tingle shoot up her arm. “I promise never to reveal that you’re leaving Two Roses - or where you might end up.”
Relief feels cool in Maeve’s chest. She should have thought to make him promise that. But he volunteered. The gesture makes her trust him, just a little. She gives him a jerky nod. “Yes. Thanks.”
He smiles and releases her hand, reaching up to mess with his bandage on his neck again and before she realizes what she’s doing, Maeve pulls his hand away from the bandage. “Stop that. I’ll change this for you if it’s bothering you.”
Aethon chuckles. “This is quite a full service experience here on the Archer. You save my life, dress me -” he plucks at his shirt. “- partner up with me for the bounty of a lifetime, and now you’re going to give me more first aid?”
Maeve turns back and sits down in her captain’s chair again. “I also brought you some other clothes from your ship. And your tab with your AI.”
Aethon’s eyes widen and he grins. “CAL?”
She points over her shoulder. “Your bag is in the corner of my room on the chair.”
He retrieves it and returns, sitting down again in the co-pilot chair. Having someone sit there feels strange, but Maeve doesn’t really mind.
Aethon pulls out his tab and turns it on.
“CAL?” he says eagerly.
“Captain Trell,” the male voice sounds annoyed. “I told Captain Bladesbearer that she needed to keep the Menace with her, but -”
“That’s all over and done with,” Aethon replies.
“Like I tried to tell you CAL,” Maeve says, her brows rising. “I had no choice.”
“Maeve and I are working together now.” Aethon grins over at her and winks, and Maeve feels her traitorous face heat with warmth. She clears her throat and refocuses on the map.
“Finally,” CAL replies. “I told you that you could be convincing.”
“Hey CAL!” TAI’s voice is even more bubbly than normal. “I thought they should have been working together before now too! Been a real pain in the ass with these two, am I right?”
“Hello again, TAI,” CAL says, his voice a little deeper. “You’re right. I don’t know why organics insist on ignoring their body’s clear signals. For example, Captain Trell’s vital signs -”
“Ok, ok, that’s enough,” Aethon interrupts. He turns toward Maeve. “Do you mind if I let CAL interface with TAI? He’ll be insufferable if I keep him confined to the tab when there’s navigating and ship maintenance to be done.”
“That’s up to TAI,” Maeve replies.
“I’ve already set up some space for you, babe!” TAI chirps.
“You’re a gracious host, TAI,” CAL says. “I promise to be mindful not to change any algorithms without your permission.”
“Ooh hon, I can’t wait to show you some of my subroutines,” TAI says, her voice gone sultry. Maeve rubs her forehead and sighs.
“She’s so friendly,” Aethon chuckles. He sets his tab down and hooks it up to the interface on the dash.
“A bit too friendly.” Maeve pushes herself up from her chair and looks Aethon over. He raises his hand to the bandage on his neck again but pulls it away before touching it. Maeve sighs. “Come on. I’ll fix that for you.”
Aethon nods, his jaw tight. “Lead the way.”
Chapter 10