(Chapter 1) (Chapter 2) (Chapter 3) (Chapter 4) (Chapter 5) (Chapter 6) (Chapter 7) (Chapter 8) (Chapter 9) (Chapter 10) (Chapter 11)(Chapter 12) (Chapter 13) (Chapter 14) (FAQ)
The next second beat down like an eternity, pregnant and chaffing with the ship’s artificial heat. Its hot wind swept in behind Cinnabar, and the only motion existed in the tiny, fluttering movements of her hair. In a singular fluid action, Cinnabar dropped her right hand and swung her left forward, palm open and offered. Her mouth turned up with a soft smile, thin lips stretching white.
“I’m sorry. That was rude of me.” Her voice came in authoritative clips, but the edge was gone from it. It was softer now, quieter, warm with something like understanding. Her eyes flickered to Tourmaline’s stumped right arm. “Battle injury?”
“Something like that,” Tourmaline answered. They clasped their left hand in Cinnabar’s and moved with the one, solid shake she offered. Her grip was tight, but not crushing. Tourmaline struggled to meet its firmness. “I’m Tourmaline.”
Cinnabar nodded, before allowing her hungry eyes moved among the four of them. The ships engines died down in a twisting whine. The air grew flat, but did not lose its sucking heart. Cinnabar started first with scanning Tourmaline’s gem, before shifting her focus to Amethyst on Tourmaline’s right, and Pearl on their left. Her gaze lingered a moment longer on Garnet.
“Garnet’s gems are on her palms,” Tourmaline answered aloud. They clamped their mouth shut, rocking with a wave of regret as they became aware a second too late that Cinnabar’s question hadn’t been verbal.