Havoc Read Online Free PDF

elbows.
    Kels raised his hands. “Okay, you two, ice it before you start a brawl. Not that I'm not flattered by two gorgeous people fighting over me, but this isn't the venue."
    Elion was surprised at how hard his heart was beating. Something about this bird really set him off. “No need to get ruffled, Kels,” he said, spearing his spork into the greasy eggs. “But if she's got no iron and wants to fuck her way across the SenVerse, I was just wondering what I get out of the deal."
    He heard her sharp intake of breath, a satisfying gasp, and focused on eating rather than smirking. By the saints, he couldn't remember disliking anyone so intensely from the start. It had to be the way Kels had oozed about her beauty, then practically plastered himself to her side. She wasn't worthy of him, or least off, she hadn't proved it yet.
    Kels's tone was subzero. “If I say we take her, we take her."
    Sayal shook her head. He saw the fringe of black hair dancing in the border of his vision. “No, Captain. If your first mate objects so strongly, then I cannot impose. It's true what he says. I have only a hundred bits to pay you with now, although a substantial fee would be given to you once we reach the Zone, and we would be winning prizes in the games, should we join as partners. I don't mean to...fuck my way, as he says, but that is part of the deal.” Her voice lowered to a sympathetic pitch clearly directed just at Elion. “I would not want to jeopardize your partnership. Or your friendship."
    Midchew, Elion stared at her. Something about her tone hinted at more than her mere words. Did she know he'd been crushing on his captain for the past five years? Ever since the one drunken night in a tiny jail cell in Ivega when...well, when he'd been able to fool himself that maybe Kels felt something for him too. In the morning, when they'd sobered, Kels hadn't seemed to remember much of what had happened. Or had pretended not to.
    Elion's heart had broken, but in retrospect, he knew it was for the best. They couldn't be captain and mate and also be lovers. It would get too tangled, and Elion valued Kels's friendship, as Sayal might have intuited, above all else. Besides, Kels had a voracious appetite for pretty female flesh, as evidenced by this bird gazing at him expectantly. Her lovely face gave away nothing. Either she was a very good con, or... He finished chewing and chased the eggs with cold coffee.
    Kels said, “Just hear her out. You know I wanted to go to the Zone anyhow, and she has a plan for getting the Nova back."
    "Mm, the venom buster."
    "Yes,” she said, growing animated again. “A patch I've acquired. It will offset the jarouki toxin. Even if he plays poorly, he'll outlast his opponent and win by default."
    "And when Ulvik sees Kels isn't sweating after a few stings, he'll... What? Let him walk away with the Nova ?"
    Sayal cradled Kels's coffee cup between her slender hands. “It won't be that obvious. The poison will affect him, just not as strongly. Perhaps you can fake it."
    "Fake jarouki poisoning?” Kels grinned. “Not a problem. It's not like I haven't been through it more than a few times."
    "Can't fake his hand, though,” Elion said. “What if he loses early, before he has the chance to put Ulvik under the table?"
    Sayal's pretty lips tightened. “That is true, Captain. Do you feel confident you can win?"
    "Against Ulvik?” He tapped the tabletop. “Odds are good."
    He was posturing for his girl, Elion could see. Pointing his spork at him, Elion said, “And if you lose? What have we got to gamble with? It'll have to be something as valuable as the Nova , or Ulvik won't bite."
    Kels rubbed his chin. “Mm, true.” He glanced at Sayal, who looked blank. He sucked air through his teeth and turned to Elion. “You know...there's one thing Ulvik's always wanted."
    Crack and ruin... “No, Kels. Absolutely not."
    "C'mon. I won't lose. Trust—"
    "Don't start with that. I said no. I can't even believe