Free Storm of Arranon Fire and Ice by Robynn Sheahan Page A

sensed movement behind her. The door
glided open and Jaer left. Her body tensed and her brow furrowed as
the door slid shut with an ominous certainty.
    “Jaer needs to secure the base and try to
find out what is going on. He takes these attacks as a personal
affront.” Cale stared at the floor.
    Erynn’s voice cracked. “He has his job to do.
I’m sure he’ll find the killer. He’s very good at what he
does.”
    Cale’s gaze rose slowly. He stared at her for
a long moment. “Yes, I know. That’s why I sought him out to join
us.” He sighed, the weight of his burdens evident in his exhaled
breath.
    “I’ll go back to the hangar bay. My shift
isn’t over yet.”
    “Sean took over for you. You need to go to
your quarters. Get some rest.”
    Erynn opened her mouth to protest but stopped
the words from coming. The last thing she needed was to return to
her quarters alone. Countless what ifs would only pull her down
under waves of rejection. She nodded to Cale. When she left his
office, instead of her quarters, she went to the Medical Unit.
    Doors slid open into a clean, white, well-lit
space. An older man with a kind face glanced up from a computer
station. He wore a security uniform and a smile. “May I help
you?”
    “I’m here about Kira. How is she?”
    “They’re working on her now. It looks like
she’ll be okay. Are you a friend?”
    Erynn grimaced. “No, not really. I met her
once is all.”
    A door behind the man slid open. Nev gestured
her forward. “Erynn, come in. It’s all right, she’s with me,” he
said, glancing at the man.
    “Yes, sir.”
    Erynn stepped past the small desk and joined
Nev.
    He gave her that charming smile of his. “I
would like to think you came in part to see me, but you’re here
about Kira, aren’t you.”
    “Yes.” Erynn’s tone turned to a whisper in
the quiet space. “Is she okay?”
    Nev nodded. “She’ll be fine. You should come
visit her tomorrow when she wakes up. I’m sure she would like to
see you.” He guided Erynn into a cramped office. “She’s sedated
now. I hope she’ll be able to give a description of her attacker
when she’s awake.” He gestured to an empty chair next to a desk
piled high with disks.
    “Don’t count on it,” Erynn mumbled, staring
at the disk-filled shelves behind the desk.
    Nev tipped his head. “Why?” He pulled a chair
next to Erynn and sat.
    Erynn shook her head. “I don’t think she saw
her attacker.” She couldn’t help but believe that her initial
impression of a Shifter committing these attacks was accurate.
    Nev frowned. “He attacked from behind? How do
you know this, Erynn?”
    “No, it didn’t attack Kira from
behind. They were talking and laughing.” Erynn settled into the
chair and gazed up at Nev. “It—he—didn’t wear his true face.” She
glanced away for a moment, realizing what she told him must sound
crazy.
    Nev stared at her. “ It wore a
disguise?” There was skepticism in his voice and his
expression.
    Erynn bit her lip. “Maybe. You’re right. Kira
will be able to identify it—him.”
    Nev leaned over, close to Erynn, and took her
hand. “You look tired.”
    “I’m fine.” She straightened, widening the
space between them.
    “I can give you something to help you
sleep.”
    “No.” Erynn pulled her hand free and stood
up. “I should go.”
    Nev followed her to the door. “You sure
you’re okay?”
    Erynn gave him a weak smile. “I’m fine,” she
repeated.
     
     
    Erynn knew she wouldn’t see Jaer again
tonight. She went to the bar. The space was quiet, the lights low.
A few people sat talking in shadowy corners. The bartender nodded
to Erynn and she sat at the counter.
    He handed her a frosty bottle.
    “Thanks.” She sipped at the cold liquid.
Bubbles tickled her nose. Spiciness burned her throat. She let the
warmth seep into her. She sat there, trying not to think, and gazed
into the twinkling lights above the U-shaped counter.
    “I told you I could give you