Shamara by Catherine Spangler Page B

herself. He was only speculating, only hoping. She pulled away. "I wish you would listen to me. I can't help you. I'm sorry, but I can't."
    He took her arm again. "Well, I guess we're just going to be miserable together then."
    The warmth of his hand against her chilled skin sent odd sensations through her body. Miserable was an apt description, she decided. Especially if she didn't find a way to ignore the electricity sparking between them.
    Resigned to enduring Jarek's company a while longer, she walked silently beside him. The after-effects of shock set in, leaving a bone-deep fatigue, but she didn't dare draw in energy to revive herself. Heaviness weighed down her legs, and the distance to the ship seemed longer than she remembered. Finally the landing bay came into view.
    Utterly exhausted now, she was actually grateful to be returning to Jarek's ship, even though it represented another prison. She'd rest and gather her strength, waiting until they arrived at their next destination before she attempted another escape.
    They entered the massive, well-lit bay, still a distance to go before they reached the landing pad where their ship sat. So many spacecraft here, Eirene thought, again amazed at the hugeness and diversity of the quadrant. So many designs and styles and colors.
    Here, as in the marketplace and the transport station, activity bustled along constantly, with ships being serviced, or loaded with supplies, or warming up to depart. She and Jarek walked down a wide path running along the pads, ships on either side of them.
    Suddenly, a blast zinged into the ship on their right, barely missing Jarek's head. He moved in a lightspeed blur, flinging Eirene to the ground, covering her with his body. His weight crushed her, driving all air from her lungs. Another blast ripped the air above them. The hubbub of voices turned to shouts of alarm.
    "Don't make a sound," he whispered harshly into her ear. "Do exactly what I tell you, when I tell you."
    Too stunned to speak, she tried to nod, but couldn't move.
    "I'm going to roll toward the ship on our left. Roll behind me, and stay down," he instructed.
    He pushed off her and hurled himself toward the underbelly of the ship, yanking hard on her arm to make sure she followed. She tumbled after him, coming to rest in a heap in the shadow of a midnight-blue cruiser. He scrambled to his feet, dragging her up and with him, around the nose to the other side, just as another blast discharged.
    A jolt of energy singed through Eirene in a startling rush. She felt a flash of pain and stiffened, wondering if she'd been hit. But just as quickly, the pain was gone. Jarek leaped to the walkway on the other side of the ship, pulling her with him.
    "Run!" he ordered, taking off in a burst of speed.
    She heard more weapon-fire, some shouts. A fresh surge of adrenaline lent strength to her legs. She hitched up her robe with one hand and ran, skirting loaders and other beings trying to scurry out of the way. Her heart pounded and her lungs burned as she followed Jarek blindly.
    Several ships down, he darted back to the right, pulling her beneath a ship and behind its sled base. Motioning her to stay there, he pulled a gun from his right holster, wincing and transferring the gun to his left hand. Eirene saw blood dripping from his right arm and realized he'd been shot.
    "You're hurt," she gasped, reaching toward his arm.
    "I can't worry about that now." He edged toward the path they'd just vacated. He leaned out slightly and studied the area behind them, pulling back as another blast exploded. More cries of alarm filled the air.
    "Blazing hells. He's after me, all right. The bastard can see us, but we can't see him." Jarek motioned toward the right, to the path they'd originally been on. "Let's go another direction."
    Her chest heaving, she followed. It occurred to her that it might be Vaden shooting at her, and not at Jarek. But there was no reason to do other than what Jarek ordered. She