Urden, God of Desire Read Online Free Page B

her, Razi knew she would be lost forever.
    Through the plasma window, he caught site of a Kyleena ship hovering near the landing pad. The white, saucer-shaped craft lingered in midair before cruising into a landing bay. It was the focus of the officers’ attention. They interrogated the check-in clerk, and she was soon dismissed.
    “They’re Tarafian,” Sima whispered. A glimmer of fear showed in her hazel eyes. “Oh, Razi, maybe I should go now. I can take a shuttle home and you can bring Lensi by later.”
    He chuckled. “Nonsense. They’re not looking for you. They want whoever it is aboard that Kyleena ship. Strange. Your father is brave to detain anyone from the Empire. He wants war too much.”
    “He always gets what he desires.”
    They both stared at the fiasco as the Tarafian police pried open the exit hall doors and flooded inside. An alarm sounded, startling everyone in the terminal and drawing their attention to the hall.
    “I think your father’s desires are strange. What man desires an early death?”
    She shook her head.
    “That’s what he’s doing. He’s a fool if he thinks he can defeat the Empire. I’ve been watching the news…”
    “You always watch the news.” She turned her attention to the other arrival hall. “I wish Lensi would get here.”
    The doors slid across their runners, and the automated voice announced the de-boarding of Irnian Shuttle Flight 537. Weary-looking travelers spilled out of the passage and hurried on their way, casting wary glances at the police. Razi recognized the ample shape of Sister Lensi garbed in Habiri black, her face shrouded as she led a large group of people all dressed the same way. The guise enabled the refugees to move from place to place without question, not that the Alga authorities would ask many questions.
    He stood, Sima clutching his hand, and went to greet Lensi. She hugged him tight, squeezing out his air.
    “Okay, Raz, get us out of here,” Lensi whispered. “I don’t want my man taken away.”
    “You haven’t tired of him yet?” He winked at her, amused by the color flushing to what little he could see of her freckled cheeks.
    “Not yet.” The band of shrouded refugees filed out after Razi and his wife. They packed into a commute shuttle and remained unnaturally silent as the vehicle powered up, hovered, and then shot out over the Alga main road.
    The rows of seats were wide, enabling Razi, Sima and Lensi to sit together. The shuttle smelled like peaches. Razi guessed it was used for produce shipments at times. The people of Alga were a resourceful lot. He scooted closer to Sima and leaned forward to speak to Lensi.
    The Habiri Sister glanced out her window. “We were watching that Kyleena Crusier. I don’t think it was a manned flight. Five decoy shuttles landed by it. Any idea why the police are after it?”
    Sima clenched her hands in her lap and answered. “My father sent them. They were Tarafian officers. Probably something to do with his crazy scheme to battle the Empire.”
    “Oh.” Lensi sat back in her seat and pulled the veil from her face. Razi noticed she looked thinner than the last time he saw her. Her cheeks were less round , and her smile faded fast. She’d always been a happy person, round and vibrant, wiser than she let on. The occupation of Irnia was affecting her.
    She shot a glance to one of the refugees and then averted her eyes. “So, I missed the big wedding?”
    Razi chuckled. “It was a small ceremony. We wanted it that way. Just the two of us.”
    Sima nodded.
    “What about you, Lensi?” He leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. “When’s your big day?”
    She snorted at him, answering with a taint of sarcasm, “Habiri Sisters can’t marry. I don’t know what you’re talking about!” She crossed her arms over her chest and scowled. “You’re a troublemaker, Raz.”
    “I am not.”
    She rolled her eyes, her cheeks balling as she tried to submerge her smile. “Ever since you met her .”