Rayven's Keep Read Free Page A

passenger. The last thing he needed was to be saddled with another problem, and Tru Creighton had trouble written all over her. She also looked ready to collapse. He guessed sheer determination kept her on her feet. Weighing his options, he eyed his captive and blew out a breath.
    “I’m guessing you have a hell of a headache,” he said, careful to bury any sympathy deep enough she couldn’t see it. Her bulky clothing had done a good job of hiding her gender, but it rankled that he hadn’t suspected she was a woman right away. “Just be glad I decided you were too small a target to use the blaster on or the authorities on Lodestone would still be picking up pieces. You’re damn lucky you got out of this with only a headache.”
    Nick watched her grapple with the ramifications, half expecting her to back down or apologize for her stupidity.
    She raised her chin and said, “It’s illegal to carry weapons in Lodestone. Off-worlders have to leave them at the spaceport before they can go into town. It is strictly enforced.”
    Instead, she’d seized on the one piece of information she must have thought would give her a moral high ground.
    “You don’t say,” Nick drawled and relaxed back against the bulkhead, holding her gaze.
    No point in telling her he was licensed on numerous worlds to carry weapons. He would hate to ruin the indignation sparking in her blue eyes, replacing the fear. Her fear bothered him. Hell, there was a lot about her bothering him, like how even dirty, bedraggled and swaying on her feet she managed to look cute. He didn’t like the fact he noticed.
    Nick shrugged, as if weapon laws mattered little to him, leaving no doubt he made his own rules. He watched her bite back any further comments and approved her caution in keeping her mouth shut.
    “Wise move,” he said as he turned and headed for the door. He stopped in the entrance and glanced over his shoulder. “Come on. I’ll get you something for your headache, unless you plan to stay in the cargo hold.”
    Tru scurried out of the cargo bay. She gave him as wide a berth as the space allowed and waited while he closed the door. She winced with each step, and Nick remembered all too clearly the pain that battered a skull thanks to a concussion. She squinted through watering eyes as she entered the bright crew bay.
    “Sit,” he ordered. With a jerk of his thumb, he indicated the small table and chairs to his right. “I’ll check the MedKit for something for your headache. Then we can talk, or rather, you can talk. I want to know what was worth risking your life to get my attention.”
    * * * *
    Tru sank onto the chair, folded her arms on the tabletop and dropped her aching head onto her arms. Her wool cap itched, but she didn’t have the energy to remove it. She’d been running scared for several days and didn’t care if her stomach chose that moment to rumble with hunger. What was one more humiliation?
    “Here.” Nick’s tone was rough, but not unkind, as he placed a metal cylinder of water and a ‘gesic packet on the table. “I hear this stuff works quickly.”
    She eyed the offering for a moment, straightened and reached for the cup. The cold liquid soothed her parched throat and revived her spirits just a little. She tore open the packet, removed the ‘gesic strip and placed it on her tongue to dissolve. Immediately her headache eased, and she sighed. Her eyes fluttered closed as she rolled the water cylinder against the throbbing bruise on her temple, appreciating the chill against her tender flesh. Opening her eyes, she murmured her thanks and offered a tentative smile.
    Nick spun his chair around and straddled it. He looped his arms across its back. She couldn’t help but notice the muscles in his thighs or the strength in his forearms where he pushed up his jacket sleeves. Her gaze wandered over his broad chest and shoulders and up to the scowling man looking back at her.
    She wouldn’t say he was classically handsome,