Renegade Magic (Star Renegades Book 1) Read online

  His father’s hand on Cal’s shoulder. The smiles on all their faces.

  The all-too-familiar pain formed in his throat.

  Enforcers were cold, calculating killing machines. They’d proven that over and over. But Cal had to agree with Doc. The longer Dania was away from that prince, the less demonic she seemed. A month ago Cal would never have thought it was possible, but this enforcer had changed.

  Maybe not completely, but she seemed to be on the way to recovery. This wasn’t something they could ignore. If Dania could be saved, could the others be saved, too?

  He tensed, remembering an armada of enforcer ships encircling the king’s cruiser in the alpha sector a few years ago. The flotilla seemed to go on forever.

  The Star Renegade was a little ship with a small crew. They couldn’t take on those kinds of numbers, especially since none of the enforcers knew they were being brainwashed.

  He needed to concentrate on the one he could save. They’d taken her too far to turn back now.

  His mom used to tell him that a stone thrown in the water made a small circle around it, but that circle grew larger and larger until the whole pond had been influenced by its splash. The story never really made sense to him until now. The galaxy was a pretty big pond, but someone needed to have the audacity to throw that stone.

  Cal leaned against the edge of the table. “We’re heading back to the main trade zones to get some things Doc needs. By the time we get there, we’ll have had some more time to get to know each other and really drive home that we aren’t the space scum she thought we were.” Cal looked at each of them, hoping to find the courage he wasn’t sure he’d find inside himself. “Once we get back to civilization, if she still wants to find her star-blasted prince, then we’ll take her there.” Hopefully, that would be enough of a splash to start those circles spreading.

  Ethan held up both his hands. “Please tell me you’re not thinking of dropping her on the Banes’ doorstep.”

  Cal shook his head. “I’m not a fool. I’m not going within a hundred million miles of Keveron. We can be nicer about where we drop her off, though, rather than leaving her stranded for two weeks in the outer rims.”

  Although Mel would have taken it upon herself to make sure Dania had gained a little weight while she was there. The woman sure loved to make sure no one ever went hungry.

  He walked toward his kitchen. “Believe me, I still have every intention of hightailing it out of there and leaving as much space as we can between her and us once we decide to part ways.”

  Cal’s stomach twinged, and it had nothing to do with the aromas wafting in from the kitchen. He’d never dreamed he’d have so much apprehension about throwing a stone.

  The door split open, and Alanna wrapped her knuckles on the side of the wall. “Knock, knock. The girls are here. Time to be on your best behavior.”

  Ethan grinned. “Alanna, everything about you puts me on my worst behavior, you know that.”

  “Don’t remind me.” She placed her hand over her heart and inhaled. “Cal, whatever that is smells heavenly.”

  The enforcer inched through the door behind her. She glanced around the room, almost looking meek.

  Almost.

  Cal smiled. “Hello. Welcome.”

  She’d changed out of the soiled white uniform and into one of Alanna’s tinkering coveralls. The light brown fabric fit tight around her middle, and loose on top. Her hair was even lighter now that she’d showered, hanging in graceful waves to her shoulders.

  She looked like any other girl…a very beautiful any other girl.

  Cal forced his gaze away and took a deep breath. He needed to remind himself that this wasn’t an ordinary passenger.

  He glanced up at the picture of his parents again. Their eyes seemed to focus on him, judging.

  For the first time in his life, he wished that the photo wasn’t there.

  Dania looked at him, then at the table.

  Cal had to stop himself from pulling out her chair. Instead, he held out his hand to the extra place setting. “Would you like to take a seat?”

  She hesitated.

  “It’s okay.” Alanna drew her to the table.

  Dania took Alanna’s normal seat right beside Cal.

  His grip tightened on the back of his chair. That was going to make things a little more awkward than needed.

  Alanna shrugged and took the other seat beside Ty while Ethan and Doc took their regular seats opposite them.

  Ty smiled at Dania from the far side of the table. “You haven’t eaten until you’ve tried Cal’s home cooking.” Ty flashed Dania the grin that had gotten them out of a million tight places. Of course, that same grin had them running for their lives a few times, too.

  Dania cocked her head. “You actually have a kitchen?”

  “This is an older ship,” Ty explained. “The galley wasn’t operational when we first picked her up. I cannibalized some parts from junkers and got the stove and oven operational just for fun. I never really dreamed anyone would actually use it.”

  Cal watched for a change of expression. He’d often wondered if Ty had any hard feelings about Stanley giving Cal the Renegade after Ty had worked so hard refurbishing her. The kid had kicked dirt and thrown things at first until Cal had made him an unexpected offer.

  A position as first mate.

  Only sixteen, the kid had stared at him like he was summing up if Cal had been serious, before Ty dusted off his pants and accepted. He’d probably looked at this ship as a ticket off Kirato, and as long as that happened, Ty didn’t care who was in charge.

  Taking a deep breath, Cal went back to the kitchen and prepared two plates of food. He placed the first in front of Dania, and the second in front of Alanna. “Ladies first.”

  “I take offense to that,” Doc said.

  Cal smacked his shoulder. “You wait like the rest of the dogs.” Cal pulled together two more plates, moving as quickly as he could. The tension in the room had raised the heat a few degrees. Either that, or Cal was just sweating through his shirt.

  This was just dinner, like any other night. He had to push it out of his mind that they were sharing their table with a former mass murderer—one who could turn on them at any moment.

  Cal balked. Ethan and his big mouth were in that room with Dania. And Cal wasn’t there to monitor him.

  He bolted back out, nearly tripping. He placed one plate in front of Ty and the other in front of Ethan.

  He stared his engineer down. “Eat.”

  Ethan frowned, tilting his head. “When have I not eaten?”

  Doc held up his palms. “Where’s mine? Is this punishment for the ladies first comment?”

  Cal shook his head. “I’ll be right back.”

  So far so good. He pulled two more plates together. Now, if he could just keep them eating, maybe they could all get through this night in one piece.

  Taking a deep breath, he gave Doc his plate and sat at the end of the table with his own. When he looked up, the enforcer’s eyes were narrowed on him.

  “Why are you serving the crew?” Dania asked. “Aren’t you the captain?”

  Cal pressed some simulated butter into his mashed potatoes. “Yes, I am, but these people work hard for me every day. The least I can do is make them a special meal once in a while.”

  “Cal cooks for us at least once a week.” Alanna cut up her chicken. “It’s not always this elaborate, but it’s always delicious.”

  Dania frowned at her plate before taking a bite of her food. She startled before swallowing. “Is that real poultry?”

  There was no use denying it. “Yes.”

  “From Earth?”

  He smiled, folded his arms on the table, and leaned slightly toward her. “How about you stop worrying about where it came from and enjoy it?”

  She set down her fork and mimicked his folded arms, leaning in. Her eyes had darkened from the pale crystal hue to a bluish green. “You kept some of the stolen food.”


  Here we go. This was the part where she’d probably start threatening to execute them all again.

  He looked down at his plate of illegal, but very delicious contraband. It was obvious what was going on here. There was no point in lying.

  “I keep a portion of every supply run we make. It’s usually enough to make a few good meals.”

  Mostly because he loved it. Some of his greatest memories of his mother were helping her harvest vegetables from their self-sustaining eco-garden, and her explaining how to properly prepare meats whenever they were available in the markets.

  They’d been poor in the grand scheme of things, but his mother had always made sure there’d been food on the table, no matter what. Mom had taught him that food was an important part of their heritage, and a loving home always had food to spare. That was probably why cooking out here in space seemed so important. These people were his family now, and he wanted to provide for them whenever he could.

  Cal looked at his plate. It wasn’t overflowing like his mom’s dinners, but he did his best.

  He looked up. “I try to do this as often as I can to show my appreciation for all their hard work.”

  “And the rest of the time?” Dania asked.

  Cal stirred the melting butter-like substance into his potatoes. “The rest of the time, we eat good, old-fashioned freeze-dried ration packets and meat sticks, just like everyone else in the galaxy.”

  Ty poked a chunk of chicken into his mouth. “But this is sooo much better.”

  “Cal is a great cook,” Doc said. “We eat like royalty.”

  “With stolen food,” Dania whispered, glaring at her plate.

  “Yes.” Cal leaned back. He probably shouldn’t have hoped she would appreciate the significance of a great meal. “This far out, only the rich can afford real meat.”

  So occasionally, Cal and a few others intercepted their orders. It wasn’t nice, but wealthy people always stockpiled enough for a few months.

  “If their shipment doesn’t arrive, the merchants who can afford to eat like this in the first place just order another supply run.” Cal set down his fork. “I make sure that the colonies that normally go without get the same treatment as the merchants on the larger supply stations and resort worlds. The poorer colonists are people, too, and they deserve the same non-synthetic food once in a while.” As did his crew, but Cal kept that part to himself. His people knew where his heart was.

  Dania continued to glare at her plate.

  “Isn’t wasting food a crime?” Alanna asked.

  Dania looked up. “Of course.”

  Alanna pointed at the enforcer’s plate with her fork. “Then you better eat that before it gets cold. Two wrongs don’t make a right, my mother used to always say.”

  She pursed her lips before taking a bite. After a moment, her eyes brightened. “I’ve never tasted such flavoring on poultry. On Keveron, meats are usually bland.”

  “I cook it all myself,” Cal said. “I use spices from Earth and the Severus moons. It gives it a great zing.”

  She seemed to consider that before she started eating again.

  “Do you eat a lot of meat where you come from?” Alanna asked.

  It probably wasn’t the best icebreaker, but it would do.

  Dania wiped the edges of her lips with her fingers. “My prince always makes sure we are well fed. We get protein supplements and large servings of vegetables, but meat is reserved for special occasions, even for the king.”

  “Why is that?” Ethan asked. “I mean, I’m sure the king can afford it.”

  Careful, Ethan. They didn’t want to get her all riled up.

  Dania glanced at Alanna before focusing on Ethan. “It’s just the way it is. I don’t think any of us ever thought to question it. We simply eat what we’re given.”

  She lowered her gaze as if considering that. What was going through her mind?

  “What’s the king like?” Alanna asked.

  Cal gave her a cold stare. She was going to press about the king too? Ethan might not have known better, but Alanna did.

  “What?” Alanna asked. “I’m curious.”

  Dania shifted, still surveying her plate. “I don’t really know him well. I simply guard my prince when he stands by his father’s side.” She seemed to think it over. “The king seems direct. Straightforward.” She hesitated. “Maybe a bit impatient.”

  Everyone’s forks stopped moving.

  Doc darted a glance at Cal. What enforcer in their right mind would admit the king was impatient?

  Easy answer. One who was not in her right mind, or one who was running low on mind-altering pathogens.

  “What about your prince?” Alanna stirred her potatoes. “Which one sponsors you?”

  They all knew perfectly well which one. Hopefully, this didn’t remind Dania that Cal was public enemy number one.

  Dania smiled. “I have the honor of serving Prince Geron.”

  Before being charged for killing the guy’s best friend, Cal hadn’t even heard of Prince Geron. He wasn’t high on the list of royals. There was a Prime Prince who would be the next king, and a secondary, and a princess. Geron must have been somewhere below them on the royal totem pole.

  “What’s he like?” Alanna asked.

  Dania’s eyes sparkled. “He is wonderful. A good man. It’s a pleasure to serve him in the king’s name.”

  What did that even mean?

  Cal tensed as Ethan leaned across that table. “Isn’t he some kind of a playboy? Doesn’t he get in trouble with whores and things like that?”

  Oh, crap. “Ethan!”

  Dania placed her fork down. “Geron does enjoy his pleasures. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

  Ethan smirked. “They say he’s an embarrassment to the royal family.”

  Dania’s smile faded.

  Cal glared at the engineer. “Enough!” Hadn’t Ethan just said he was fond of breathing? “Dania’s our guest. Be respectful.”

  Ethan lowered his eyes, probably realizing he’d put them all on shaky ground. “I’m sorry. Cal’s right. That was rude.”

  Dania ignored him, pushing her untouched potatoes with her fork. She seemed lost, as if trying to remember something she’d forgotten, before looking at Cal. “What are your intentions now that you’ve given all your spoils to the colonists?”

  Obviously, they’d have to trade a little more to make up for their losses. What was she fishing for?

  Cal sliced off a hunk of chicken and dipped it into the pseudo butter pooled in his mashed potatoes. “We’re traders, so we’re going to be doing some trading.” He pointed his fork in Doc’s direction. “We need to head out to Sector Z8 to get some things the Doc needs for a project he’s working on.”

  And hopefully, he’ll be able to fix you, and you’ll run home to your playboy prince and convince him to stop executing people for forgetting to say gesundheit after someone sneezes.

  He glanced back to the picture of his dad. This had to be the craziest scheme they’d ever come up with.

  Dania placed her fork down. “Sector Z8 is filled with outlier worlds known for larceny.”

  Cal swallowed his chicken. “Very true, but they’re also great places to find hard to get supplies.”

  She arched her brow. “You mean illicit supplies.”

  Cal sat back. “Yes, you can buy a lot of prohibited stuff there. But it’s not all illegal. There are a lot of folks in those trade centers who are just trying to make a living.”

  “Not many.”

  “No, but there are some. Our goal is always to find them.” That, at least, was true. “We’ll pick up a few things along the way with the intent to trade for something better, and repeat the process until we have enough good stuff to pay for food again.”

  Cal shifted his weight. Hopefully, she’d understand that to make enough money to purchase food out here, sometimes you had to buy and trade in unlawful goods. If he could get her to recognize that the ultimate goal was worthwhile, they
’d be a step in the right direction.

  Whether or not she was capable of seeing past the crime, though, was the question that would decide all their fates.

  He set his hands on the end of the table, ready for her to blast him about all the illegalities of his life, but instead, she picked up the fork and mounded her potatoes like a child playing with her food. When the pile was as high as her serving allowed, she used the fork to cut down the sides, creating a perfect pyramid.

  Alanna glanced at Cal, then started mounding her own potatoes. “I used to do this all the time as a kid. It drove my parents crazy.”

  Dania laughed. “Mine, too.” The smile melted from her face. She shook her head. “No, that’s not right.” She stared at the mound as if it were something foreign.

  “Everything okay?” Alanna asked.

  Dania worked her lips a few times. “I’ve-I’ve never eaten potato before.”

  All points to the contrary. “Are you sure?” Cal asked.

  Dania didn’t even look up. “No.”

  A stream of juices from the chicken trailed toward the base of her creation as Dania stared at the pointed mound.

  The crew remained silent as she tilted her head and then smashed the makeshift pyramid. Obliterating it from existence.

  Her cheeks reddened and she placed her fork down.

  Alanna leaned toward her. “Are you okay?”

  Dania shook her head and whispered something in Alanna’s ear.

  Alanna wiped her mouth and stood. “Well, this has been lovely. Thank you, gentlemen, for a nice evening.”

  Lovely? Nice evening? Cal raised a brow at his navigator.

  Alanna stared back. She darted her eyes to Dania and then back to Cal.

  Okay, he wasn’t completely understanding her signals, but something was up. Cal knew better than to not trust a woman’s intuition.

  Alanna turned to Dania. “Are you ready to turn in for the night?”

  “We have room J4 all set up for her,” Ethan said. “She’ll be snug like a bug in a rug.”

  Or snug like a bug under twenty-four hour surveillance with a top-of-the-line security system. But hey, same thing. Cal took a sip of his drink.

  “Thank you.” Dania stood. “This has been…” She looked down at the ruined potato pyramid. “This has been…nice.” The inflection was odd, like she meant it, but was surprised that she meant it.