Ka'Cit's Haven (Riv’s Sanctuary #3)

No, she had to ask.

Lowering her voice, she moved closer to him. “Just what the hell is happening?”

Ka’Cit huffed out an almost inaudible laugh.

“A curse,” he said underneath his breath.

His answer left her momentarily speechless.

A curse?

“And I don’t think we’re going to make it, ta’ii.” He tapped his finger on the counter as he stared straight ahead. “We definitely can’t intercept that package in time. The chance is lost.”

His words made something fall within her.

“But that means…”

It meant the humans that needed whatever was in this package were going to possibly die?

She couldn’t help but feel that it was completely because of her and maybe her expression showed in her face because Ka’Cit dipped his hand underneath the cloak’s hood to grasp her chin with his fingers.

His touch was light as he rubbed his finger over the small indentation in the middle of her chin and his gaze was focused on the movement.

It felt like he had to pull his eyes upward to meet hers. “It’s not your fault, ta’ii.”

“What gave you the impression I was thinking that?”

He shrugged a little. “I know all too well of blaming yourself for something you cannot control.”

Cryptic.

It felt like there was more to that sentence and she was about to ask him to explain when the bartender moved over their way.

“I know what will cheer you up,” Ka’Cit’s eyes lightened and he caught the alien’s attention with a wave of his hand.

“Two Zeregga meals. Make them hot and well cooked.”

“Two Zeregga meals,” the bartender repeated as he shuffled off.

Ka’Cit looked at her. “We’ll be here a while. We might as well get comfortable.” He checked the band on his wrist.

“What about those humans? Is there anything we can do to help them?”

His gaze travelled over her face for a few moments. “You truly feel responsible…”

Nia nodded. “Well, if you hadn’t been trying to help me then they wouldn’t be in a worse situation.”

He studied her for a bit more. “I’ll figure it out.”

Nia’s mouth opened and closed.

He said it with such surety, she felt inclined to believe him.

She had to.

24

Releasing a breath, Nia turned her attention back to the room and it was then that she realized the chatter had lessened somewhat.