Free Shiver and Bright by Viola Grace Page A

kind man, and the last of his line. He had met Rema when they were both completing their educations, and she had refused his offer of marriage, even though she was pregnant at the time. She returned to her home and he pursued her, asking her to be his wife. She refused to consider him until he completed his education.
    He returned to school and sent Rema a stipend for the necessary equipment for a child. When he graduated, he asked her again, and she smiled and told him to take up his family seat in government before she would consider him.
    It had gone on for nearly two decades. Rema told Nathaly once that she got glimpses of the future and that she had always been Rema Welling. That had been good enough for her.
    Nathaly had two loving parents. In their community, it hadn’t mattered at all that the vows had not been spoken; they could be seen by one and all.
    If government officers arrived at their home, her mother and father were in danger. She had to follow the plan and get what help she could.
    Ten kilometers underground took her to the final stop on her escape. She crept up the steps and opened the hatch.
    She dug through the first of her bags and pulled out a key. With as much stealth as she could manage, she walked to the com unit and slid the key in, sending the signal to the occupant of the outpost and alerting her godmother on Station 13. The help that could come would be here soon.
    She had supplies and a place to hide. What more could a young woman need?
     
    It took two days for someone to open the dark room. A light blazed down at her and a man extended his hand.
    “Lupik sent me to help, Nathaly Welling.”
    She took the hand, and he lifted her out of the dark cell that had been her salvation.
    The interior of the second layer of the outpost was another underground room, but it was bright as daylight with the glow from the eyes of the man who still held her hand.
    “I am here to get you to safety. Will you come with me?”
    “What about my parents?”
    “I have no orders regarding them, only you.” His eyes dimmed and she could make out his features.
    His cheeks were a pale silver and his hair a smoky blue. The light from his eyes was hard to look at and cast his features in weird light.
    “I want to save them.”
    “How?” He cocked his head in a birdlike motion.
    She looked up at him helplessly. “I don’t know.”
    He sighed and lifted his arm, checking a display on his wrist. “Lady Lupik has arrived and is keeping her eye on your parents. They are imprisoned but in no danger. We need to get you off the surface and to safety.”
    Nathaly nodded. “Right. Part of the drill. I have to go before I can come back.”
    “You were briefed?”
    “Since I was ten. When my father got his position as vice chancellor, it was part of my weekly life. I have done drills, practice escapes and worked with my skills and my talent to protect myself.”
    “Then, let us conclude your escape and get you safe. Your parents will breathe more easily when they know you are not at risk.”
    She nodded, and he led her through the outpost and to the covered hangar. A shuttle waited for them. He led her into the shuttle and stowed her bags.
    His eyes ceased their glowing. He didn’t speak as he flicked the switches and activated the ship. When the ship moved forward, he cursed and quickly pulled them upward and away from the shelter.
    She understood the reason for the curse as they lifted and the shots struck the hull. He got them out of the way and through the incoming attack vessels that streamed through the sky with no hesitation.
    As dark stars whirled above them and the ground fell away, she breathed more easily.
    “Thank you. May I ask your name?”
    He cleared his throat. “My call sign is Strobe, but you may call me Worvin.”
    “Worvin, I am pleased to meet you.”
    “Why are you in danger?”
    He set the controls, and the ship took over, pulling them through space.
    She combed her hair over her ears and