Leach sat on the bunk in the corner when Kraken, Gabb and Kor came in. She watched Kraken come sit on the bunk and lean his head back against the wall. She got the sense Haven spoke to him. The ship felt alive around her.
“What can you tell me of the others,” Kraken said.
Leach sat forward, and glanced at the open door with its guards. “If I don’t talk?”
Kraken shrugged. “You get off at the next stop, Y’Ahno.”
“That’s it.”
“Yep.”
Leach considered what she had seen, felt, and what she hadn’t. “Why did you hurt Ash’Km? What did she do to him?”
“Told him to scream.”
Leach blinked. Her wide hazel eyes were deep and astonished. “That’s it?”
“The Little Miss don’t hurt folk for no reason,” Kor said.
“What about the last time we spared,” Gabb said. “She really –“
”Shut up. Baby,” Kor said.
Gabb smiled. “She . . .”
“Whiner,” Kor said.
Kraken cleared his throat. “The others,” he said to Leach.
“Ash’Km would have been a Master of Masters if they hadn’t taken his arm. He is still a high-range power. He only needs to develop.
“Sar isn’t as helpless as she looks. She is very dangerous. Her power is the higher range of mid. She can be hung up on status. She is more hung up on the evils of men.
“T’Rin seemed to be flighty. He never spoke to me or any of the women that I saw. He didn’t talk to much of anyone really. I can’t say about his power. I’m not sure why he wasn’t on deck when you first came on board. He was when we first spotted Haven.
“The slaves I only spoke to the Green Man, the grower. He is damaged beyond repair. Cousin may have freed him, but he won’t ever be whole. The girl is the same.”
“No buts,” the three said at the same time.
Leach blinked. “That’s right. No buts, won’t help.”
“What about you,” Gabb said.
“Kor can tell you, I’m a leach. Torture and infliction are my . . . focus.”
“We don’t torture here,” Kraken said.
“What about a weapon? Martial skills?” Kor asked.
“Same as Cousin, the Sor-von.” Leach blinked. She looked around the room.
“Why did you come?” Gabb asked.
Leach hugged herself, and leaned back into the corner. “To be free. Truly free. The kind of free that lets someone laugh in the face of pain and destruction because they choose, no matter what another does to them.” Leach looked at Kor. “Sorry.”
Kor snorted. “Nothing to be sorry for.”
Leech blinked. A single tear traced her cheek.
Kraken stood. “Go to the galley. Tell Jak to feed you.”
“He’s your cook? I was hoping to cook. Nourish for a change,” she said.
“Ask if he needs help. Six extra people on board. He may say yes,” Kraken said. A small smile turned one corner of his mouth.
Kor snorted.
Gabb laughed low.
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