Moonbeams and magic Read Online Free PDF Page A

people. After I bathe and eat, we'll play a game of rest before I retire. You're in charge of the ship now. See you later."
    Four days had passed when Starla was summoned to To-char's dwelling. She entered his oblong work chamber in the elevated structure and approached him, noticing that someone was with him, his back to her. Black hair told her it wasn't Moig, Auken, or Sach, who were light-haired like all Icarians. For a strange reason, she tensed, but managed to keep her expression pleasant and calm.
    Tochar stood, smiled, and motioned her forward. "There is someone I want you to meet, Starla. Dagan Latu, this is Starla Vedris, one of my best pilots and raiders, and also a beautiful and fearless woman."
    As the male also stood, then turned, Starla's heart skipped several beats before pounding rapidly. As she faced the man Moig had ordered her to kill eleven deegas ago, she knew Cypher must be concerned over her erratic vital signs—reactions carried to him via her wrist device which always kept her in contact with him. Surely the android was deciding if her sudden distress indicated she was in terrible danger and he should teleport her to safety, though she had not signaled him to do so.
    Questions filled her mind in a rush: Who was he? How had he gotten there? Had she been exposed and walked into a trap? Was he one of Tochar's men, one she hadn't met until now? Had he been aboard the ship to test her loyalty and reflexes? No, she reasoned, or he would be dead if she had

    carried out Moig's order. Somehow the cunning stranger had escaped and would soon place her and her mission in jeopardy. Well. Bree-Kayah Saar, how are you going to get out of this threatening predicament?

    D<
    UJO
    Staria was trained to think and react quickly to unexpected and hazardous circumstances. She cautioned herself not to panic and flee, as that would terminate her crucial mission and become her first failure during an assignment. Yet, she remained alert and prepared to signal Cypher to rescue her if the situation worsened. Though she was quite uncertain, she tried to calm herself so the android would realize she had matters under control. Since the man had not spoken, Cypher would have no clue as to why she was unsettled. No doubt the android was running his name through their computer bank at this moment, which would reveal Dagan's identity but not the reason behind her distress. The instant he spoke, however. Cypher would recognize his voice pattern and understand.
    Even if he's told Tochar about the transporter incident, stay and bluff your way out. Staria moved forward and said, "It's a pleasure to meet any friend of Tochar's." She extended her hand and they clasped wrists in the usual manner of greeting. The stranger's grasp seemed too snug and lasted too long. She had seen surprise register in his blue eyes before one of amusement mingled with intrigue replaced it. She was relieved his back was to Tochar, so the leader missed Dagan's reaction. Her green gaze locked with his blue one for a few moments as if in challenge. She pulled her arm from his grip as it loosened, seemingly without his awareness or intent; his touch, face, his presence, were dis-

    turbing, arousing, irritating. As if he detected her reaction to him, he looked pleased and cocky. She shifted her gaze to Tochar and smiled. The leader grinned as if he assumed they had been evaluating each other and saw the sparks of physical attraction between them. She decided that was an advantage, as it would mask any departure from her normal behavior.
    The leader laughed and corrected, "Dagan is not a friend, but I am hoping he will become one and hire on to serve me as superbly as you do. I must tell you, Starla, his reputation spreads far, and is a colorful one. It will be good to have another brave and bold person working for me, if he accepts. According to his record, he will prove an excellent member of our group. I am sure you two would work remarkably and profitably