Halfbreed Ch. 06

"I have no idea what you're talking about, Captain." She said, looking suddenly very interested in the spirit rock sitting between them.

"Do you?" Mike said in a teasing tone, he jostled around the inside of his metal band, struggling to get the right angle like he had with hers. If he could just figure out where it was on the-

The bulkhead door leading to the cockpit opened, and Mike practically jumped out of his chair. Lashvara stalked into the room, affixing Mike with an annoyed glare as she looked from Captain to Mool'Gwaith, and back again. The discarded metal band had somehow disappeared from the table while Mike was not looking.

"I cannot leave you alone for two minutes without you trying to make an escape attempt?" She growled.

"Woah, who's making an escape attempt?" Mike said, raising his hands.

Lashvara scowled at him. "You think this is funny, Smuggler? I can feel the fear gnawing in your gut, the uncertainty and concern. Lie to yourself if you must, but don't waste my time. You were fiddling with your first mate's leash; I could practically smell your nervousness from the other side of the ship!"

"I was just worried you'd catch us having sex on your Grandpa's tombstone." He said, flashing her his winning grin.

Allynna blinked, her pale cheeks blushing red. "Michael!" She scolded.

"Take a lesson, girl." Lashvara said, letting out a bemused snort. "Your 'Captain' is more comfortable discussing your hindquarters than he is ensuring your safety."

A sudden flare of anger rose in Mike's chest. "Her safety is the only thing I care about at present."

"Prove it then." The Orc said. "Stop playing these shifty games with me."

"Shifty is my natural setting." Mike replied.

"It'll be your undoing if you keep this up." She said, folding her arms and adopting a severe expression. "Tennick says we're nearing the drydock. When we land, it will be just the three of us. My guards will stay on the ship."

"Why have guards if they're going to stay behind?" Allynna asked. Mike noted that her hands were conspicuously beneath the table.

Lashvara shifted her feet, seeming ill at ease in the moment. "...The less they are involved, the better," Was all the Orc said. "I'll see you on the docking ramp in ten minutes. Bring your smiles when you get there: we're going through customs."

"All right." Mike said, shifting his leather jacket around on his shoulders. He glanced over at Aly, who held his gaze for a long moment. "But I'm not giving them a name."