Rebel Read Free Page B

unwanted desires. “I can stare as long as it pleases me
and I’ll arrange for provisions when it’s convenient.”
    He responded with a throaty chuckle and sat
on the edge of the bunk, obviously reluctant to touch the cold
metal. “Whatever you say.”
    It took Corry a moment to realize she’d just
been dismissed.
* * * * *
    Ashton was sitting on the middle of the bunk
with his legs crossed in front of him when Corry returned to the
cellblock. He looked remarkably at ease and rather bored.
    “Back to your corner.”
    He stood and crossed the small cell in two
long-legged strides. She tried not to gawk, but his mocking smile
told her she’d failed.
    Setting her zippered bag near the wall, she
removed several food items from the tray before placing it on the
floor near the energy barrier. With the motivator poised and ready,
she deactivated the energy field and slid the tray forward with her
foot. Ashton didn’t move until she triggered the barrier again and
lowered her weapon.
    “What’d you bring me?”
    He lifted the tray to the bunk and examined
its contents, so she didn’t bother to reply. This was a dangerous
man. She couldn’t allow herself to be drawn in by his easy manner
and practiced charm. He had never known the hardships and neglect
of the people she championed. She must remain focused on the
cause.
    “I brought blankets and clothing, but you’ll
have to barter for them.”
    His brow rose and he grinned. “Now you’re
ready to barter? What do I have that you want?”
    “Information.” She managed to sound calm
despite the tightening in her stomach. He wielded charm like a
weapon, with skill and lethal accuracy.
    “What can I tell you that you don’t already
know?” His attention focused on the food. She’d provided the
requested sandwich, two pieces of fruit and a large cup of
coffee.
    “I think it might be interesting to hear a
description of this conflict from the perspective of a citizen of
Halley Prime. Start at the beginning. Tell me about the formation
of the Comet Coalition.”
    He took several bites of the sandwich and
sipped the coffee before he bothered to respond. “You want a
history lesson?”
    “History through the eyes of the premier’s
son.”
    “Perception has no power to change
documented events.”
    “Oh I disagree. Perception has everything to
do with how events are documented.”
    “Fine.” He relented with a shrug. “I don’t
appear to be going anywhere. But conversing in my underwear is a
bit uncomfortable. If I promise to relate historical events with as
much detail as you care to hear, may I have one of the
blankets?”
    She considered her options for a moment.
“Back to your corner.” Once he’d obeyed, she tossed the uniform
bottom into the cell.
    “So you hadn’t meant to keep me naked?” He
pulled on the simple garment. The material was grayish-blue, and
elastic at the waist and ankles made it possible for one size to
fit most every inmate.
    Corry didn’t miss the speculative light in
his dark eyes as he dressed. He was doing his best to figure out
where he was. She sat and crossed her legs in front of her.
    “Talk,” she prompted, picking up her own cup
of coffee.
    He munched on the remainder of his meager
meal then began. “The Comet Coalition was formed by necessity just
over twenty-five years ago. Our homeworld Shardrake was struck by a
massive comet that obliterated life on the entire planet.”
    Corry sipped her coffee silently and watched
the play of light and shadow on his muscular torso.
    Ashton shoved the tray to the foot of the
bunk and picked up the coffee mug. He paced the breadth of the
small cell, looking very much like a caged animal. “They had
fourteen months to decide how to reorganize the entire population
and six outposts far enough removed from the homeworld to survive
the destruction. So the coalition was formed and the population of
Shardrake relocated to the six outposts.”
    “No one I know will dispute those