Free Strange Skies by Kristi Helvig Page B

weapons? Has he been in touch through the com? We need him.”
    I bit my tongue. Those were my weapons. And I needed Kale about as much as I needed a sun storm.
    James stared at her calmly. “Kale should be back soon. We’ll be fine.”
    She eyed him a moment longer, then flung her hair over her shoulder. “If you say so.”
    He gestured for me to stand. “One more thing,” he said to the group. “This is Tora Reynolds, the girl I told you about who was being held in the containment center.”
    Several holas and hellos echoed around the room. I hated being the focus of everyone’s stares and gave a quick wave before sitting down again. James told them about my dad and how he was recently discovered to be a Consulate prisoner. His relaxed posture belied the confidence and strength in his voice. “Long story short, we’re going to get her dad back. When we meet again, I’ll be asking for volunteers and we’ll discuss a rescue plan.”
    I stared at James, openmouthed. I had hoped he’d help with my dad, but I hadn’t realized how much power he held in this group or that he would use his influence to help me. James flashed me a quick smile when he sat. I wouldn’t forget that he’d shot me, but he’d just earned a little more of my trust.
    A few other people in the room stood and gave brief updates, also in English. I found these reports interesting. They included plants, nuts, and fruits that had been discovered since the prior meeting. Three people had vomited, and one almost died, after eating the same berry, so the Resistance was compiling a list of unsafe foods that would be posted on the Net. James told me that they’d been able to secure several Infinities from Consulate spies and kept one in the command center for common use.
    When the meeting ended, the red-haired tramp immediately marched back to us. I found the sharpness of her nails disturbing and the defiance in her face unmistakable. Her eyes bored into mine. “I don’t believe we’ve beenproperly introduced.” She cast an accusing glare at James before settling her focus on me again. “I’m Sonya.” She extended her long nails toward me.
    I wanted nothing to do with her, but didn’t want to look weak. “I’m Tora,” I said as I took her hand.
    Her nails dug into my wrist. “I know exactly who you are.” She smiled sweetly, which contradicted the death grip she had on my hand. “You killed my brother.”

Chapter EIGHT
    I WRENCHED MY HAND FROM HERS . “E XCUSE ME? I DON’T know what the hell you’re talking about.”
    “Sonya, you know that’s not how it happened,” James said. “It was a sun storm.”
    Sonya crossed her arms. “A sun storm wouldn’t have thrown my brother into a cactus in the first place if it wasn’t for her.”
    I remembered the guilty relief I’d felt when the soldier flew through the air and was impaled on a massive cactus spike. It had taken down one of the five people who had been shooting at me. “Not to nitpick, but your brother was trying to kill me at the time.”
    Sonya’s eyes were cold and calculating. She didn’t respond.
    James sprang in between us. “Sonya, let it go.”
    She narrowed her eyes at him. “So, this is how it is,James?” Her eyes were filled with hatred when they turned back my way.
    I had flashbacks of when Britta stuck me inside a transport container. At least I’d liked her in the end. I had a sneaking suspicion that Sonya would never grow on me.
    “Tora’s on our side,” James said. “And, like I’ve told you before, we’re together. Got it?”
    Her eyes flashed with anger, then softened. “Got it,” she mumbled.
    Edgar stepped up to us. “Everything okay here?”
    James nodded. “Yes. Tora, this is Edgar. Edgar, Tora.”
    Edgar’s intimidating build was offset by his kind eyes. “Nice to meet you,” I said, trying to ignore the steady gaze of Sonya who hadn’t moved.
    Edgar smiled. “You too. The little I’ve heard about you from James has been