Free New Dawn (Divine War Book 1) by Magus Tor

see you again,” he said.
    “The pleasure's all mine,” said Lucia, eyeing him. “You've become quite the celebrity. The last I heard, you were being hunted by Magi Lords.”
    Kabi laughed. “From what I hear, you've become quite the celebrity yourself, Captain Seagull.”
    Lucia grinned, flashing white, even teeth, and bowed her head in recognition of the truth of what Kabi had said. Maicee shot Benho a confused look, but his friend shrugged, equally baffled.
    “Come, sit,” said Lucia, turning towards a collection of couches. “I've had tea prepared, or would you prefer something stronger?”
    Her voice really is hypnotic, Maicee thought as he obeyed her order and sat. Kabi refused the offer of strong alcohol, and Lucia delicately began to pour tea into small crystal glasses. Maicee took the opportunity to look around the room, admiring the craftsmanship that had gone into building such an elegant house. Everywhere he looked, there was something stunningly beautiful: a vase, a picture, a statue. He shook his head in wonder. Lucia was either far more famous than he'd thought, or she had done more than her fair share of illegal dealings, such as what they were about to ask her to do, in order to afford a home like this.
    “The house belonged to my great-grandfather,” said Lucia, noticing his interest. “One whom I was told was a rich merchant.” She gave a self-deprecating smile. “I was simply lucky enough to inherit it after his passing.”
    Maicee felt the colour in his cheeks rise as she smiled at him, and had to shake himself to get rid of the feeling. She couldn't possibly know his secret, but if she had this effect on him, he wondered what sort of effect she must be having on the real men. Shooting a glance at Benho, who was uncomfortably crossing his legs, he guessed that his friend was suffering rather badly from this onslaught of seductiveness.
    “So, to business, gentlemen,” Lucia said, settling back, her small glass of tea in her hand. “What exactly can I help you with?”
    Kabi nodded, first introducing both Benho and Maicee, and then pausing to collect his thoughts before saying: “We need a ship that will get the three of us away from Carooine without being seen. Rumour has it that you may be able to help us with this.”
    Lucia lifted a single, perfect eyebrow and took a sip of tea before replying. “You will understand, dear Kabi, that whilst this would generally be a very easy thing for me to do, just at the moment things are rather... difficult. The arrival of the Supreme Emperor's Navy in our little harbour does rather complicate matters.”
    Lifting his own glass to drink, Kabi swallowed and nodded in satisfaction. “You have very good tea here. I suspect that your... services... are even better.” He softly emphasized the word ‘services’.
    “That is incorrect,” Lucia said, smiling. “My services are not better. They are the best. And they do not come cheaply.”
    She drank again, Benho's eyes following the sinuous movement of her pale throat as she did so.
    “Five hundred thousand Imperial Credits,” she said finally. “And I will personally guarantee your safety, and that of your companions, until you reach your destination.”
    Maicee gasped. It was a fortune.
    “That's more than even the most esteemed surgeon makes in a year,” Benho choked, tea spraying out of the corners of his mouth.
    Lucia turned her luminous green eyes on him. “Ah, yes,” she said quietly. “But a surgeon risks only the life of his patients, not his own life, does he not?”
    Benho looked abashed and nodded. Lucia rewarded him with a small smile before turning back to Kabi, her eyebrows raised questioningly.
    “I'll pay fifty percent in advance and fifty percent on arrival,” said Kabi, unfazed by the price. “And I have only three days, so the vessel must be a speedy one.”
    “Seventy-five percent in advance,” Lucia said.
    Kabi regarded her for a moment, then gave a sharp