Free Harbinger by Cyndi Friberg

annoying at the moment. “We’re technically fugitives too. Quinton just isn’t as determined to find us as he is to find the Nox brothers.”
    “You heard about the bounty?” He glanced down at her and smirked. “Tandori Tribe could accomplish a lot with that sort of capital.”
    Unable to hide her shock, she felt her jaw drop then snapped it close. “Tell me that was a joke.” She grabbed his arm and pulled him around to face her. “Are you planning to turn them in?”
    He shrugged. “It didn’t start out that way, but the thought has crossed my mind.”
    She shook her head, disgusted by the possibility. “Thoughts like that are beneath you. If you’re not serious about creating an alliance, at least be honest with them. Tandori Tribe has always faced conflicts head-on. We don’t smile at our enemies and then stab them in the back.”
    “General Nox isn’t even battle born,” he snapped. “Did you know that?”
    “I did, but what does that have to do with your possible betrayal?”
    He continued along the walk path as he explained. “It’s suspicious, if you ask me. He must have an ulterior motive.”
    “Or he could simply love his brothers and feel that the cause is just.”
    “No one is that noble.”
    Haven just shook her head. Ulrik had always been a bit of a pessimist, but this cynicism was new. Was his attitude the result of Vinton’s unexpected death or had other events compounded his gloomy outlook. “I’ll let you know what I think after I’ve met the man. All I know right now is his reputation.”
    “Which is?” Ulrik grumbled.
    “The people in our star system love him. To the masses he’s part hero, part god, a liberator determined to right all wrongs.”
    “And the battle born will follow him through hells outer rings.” Somehow he made that sound like a bad thing. “If General Nox is for real, I feel sorry for Quinton and we both know that bastard deserves everything that’s coming to him.”
    He’d neatly sidestepped the real issue, whether or not he intended to betray the Nox brothers. She’d just arrived, so she let the subject drop. If she couldn’t talk him out of it, she’d probably need to warn the battle born, which would doubtlessly infuriate her brother. She rubbed the back of her neck with a sigh. Why did everything in her life have to be so complicated?
    A facial scan opened the main entrance to the building and they stepped into a small, neat lobby. The apartments they’d been assigned were on the second floor near the elevators. Haven made sure her image opened her door, but after a quick look around, she followed Ulrik to Berlynn’s apartment.
    “Berlynn’s in a snit. I better let you go in alone.”
    Berlynn was the most even-tempered person Haven knew. What had put her “in a snit”? Rather than depending on Ulrik’s accounting, she decided to find out for herself. “Give us a few minutes alone, then I’ll come to your place once we’ve had a chance to catch up.”
    Clearly relieved by the offer, Ulrik went one step farther. “I’m sure you’re exhausted. I’ll just see you both in the morning.”
    A certain gleam in his eyes warned that he wasn’t headed for his apartment. When Ulrik was angry there was no holding back the storm. Doubtlessly, he was on his way to confront General Nox and Raylon about the outcome of their mysterious mission. Haven could only deal with one crisis at a time and Berlynn needed her more than two battletested warriors.
    Berlynn accepted the visitor request, but didn’t bother greeting her at the door. Haven stepped inside the compact apartment and let the door close behind her. Berlynn sat at one end of the sofa, staring at the nearest wall, which she’d transformed into a tranquil beach scene.
    With common furniture and neutral decorating, the room itself was nothing special, so Haven focused on her niece. “Hey, kiddo. Don’t you even have a hug for your long-lost aunt?”
    Berlynn’s head whipped around