Ka'Cit's Haven (Riv’s Sanctuary #3)

He was hesitant to leave, lest she start hyperventilating again, but he had to check something.

When her breathing didn’t start acting up, Ka’Cit turned and crawled back through the tunnel. He’d left her the light because, well, he didn’t really need it to see where he was going and he knew it would give her some comfort while she waited alone.

As he made it back through the darkness, he couldn’t help but feel annoyed—not at Herza for cutting the engine in the middle of the void, but at himself for not seeing it coming.

Most merchants were cheap, trying to wheedle their way through jobs and bargains while saving as many credits on each transport run as possible.

Herza was no different.

The most frugal merchants often cut their engines while in the void, usually so they could save on credits by purchasing fuel from passing smuggler ships.

Such fuel was usually half the price of what they’d get it for on any surface and for good reason.

The quality was hit or miss.

As he reached the opening where the tunnel met the ladder, Ka’Cit glanced behind him.

The light he’d left in the nook didn’t spread very far and the tunnel was masked in darkness.

With the engines off, it would start to get cold, very cold, and he didn’t have the heart to tell Nee-ya.

This trip up the ladder was only to check if he could get them out of their hiding spot safely…and he hoped…he really hoped he could.

But as soon as he climbed up the ladder and reached the top, he could hear the steady footfalls above.

Light leaked through the cracks above him, telling him that the crew was still busy. Herza had them working hard. Either that, or they were still looking for Nee-ya.

Possibly, they even found the Niftrill he’d tied up and locked in the supply closet.

They’d know he was on the ship too then…

Phek.

This situation was only getting worse.

As he headed back toward the nook, he wondered how he was going to break the news to the small female waiting for him there.

How could he say that they were drifting and that was cause to be alarmed?

That with the engines off, the cold would set in soon and the underbelly of the ship was the worst place to be when that happened…

That there wasn’t a way for them to go above. That they had to wait longer…

That she was going to be so cold it would hurt…

Phek. Him.

The warm glow of the light disk greeted him first then Nee-ya lifted her head.

Her eyes were wide and expectant and it only worsened the feeling in his chest.

Ka’Cit ran a hand through his hair as he crouched before her.

She studied him and glanced back toward the darkness of the tunnel.

“We can’t go…not yet. It’s too dangerous for you.” He answered her unasked question.

“Den weel wayt.” She gave him an encouraging half-smile. “Noh prohblehm.”