The Neko's Tail (Book 2 of Astara)

The First Days

Artemis sat beside Elias, his mind still in shock. Reinard was dead, his body already being prepared for burial. They wouldn’t be there the burial. Ceirel had banished them from the Artego house, and Artemis couldn’t say he blamed the Faro. The tiger had caused the death of both his kites. The Alliance had been quick to step in and sentence Neistar to death after it was discovered he had been part of the plot to rekindle the war.

He wasn’t the only plotter. General Aro was revealed to be the mastermind, influenced by money from the Empire. Reinard’s death had been the catalyst for blowing the whole plot open.

But that was no comfort.

And so they sat in silence as Eigal drove them to the base, where their ship waited. Iason and Geiro sat with them, another vehicle behind them bringing the Xanar who had accompanied the group. Artemis could see Geiro’s mind whirling away, but the tiger couldn’t bring himself to care. He felt empty inside, and as bad as he felt, he knew Elias felt worse. And he had no idea how to help either of them.

The cars pulled up to the base and Geiro and Iason stepped out of the car. Artemis started to follow them but was stopped by Eigal.

“I’m sorry Captain,” the black Faro said quietly. “You are a good person and Ceirel knows that. He is in a lot of pain.”

“I know. Take care of him,” Artemis said.

Eigal nodded. He couldn’t understand the tiger that well but the tone was unmistakable.

Artemis helped Elias out of the vehicle, the neko pulling away as soon as he had his balance. He had been silent since they left Ceirel, and Artemis was concerned for him.

He made sure the neko stayed close to him as they walked toward their ship, Geiro and Iason bringing up the rear. Their job was complete as soon as he was on the ship. It was a moment that couldn’t come soon enough.

They got several stares as they passed through the base. Both still bore the marks of death on them. Elias’ arms and clothes were soaked in Reinard’s lifeblood and he wore a haunted look Artemis knew was not going to fade easily. It was worse than when he killed the person on his planet, so much worse, and Artemis prayed to anyone who might listen that the neko would recover.

The ship came into sight and Artemis picked up his pace, hurrying toward the vessel. His hand hit the lock, the ramp sliding down. Artemis made sure Elias got on the ship, turning to face his guards.

“Thank you,” he said.

They nodded.

“Stay safe Captain,” Iason said quietly.

Artemis followed Elias up the ramp, finding the neko staring at a wall blankly. The tiger raised the ramp, locking the ship, and placed a hand on Elias’ shoulder.

Elias flinched away, pushing past Artemis and into the main body of the ship. The tiger heard a door open and close.

“Okay Artemis. You need to take off,” he said out loud, trying to find the motivation to leave.

But now that he was on his own, Artemis didn’t want to do anything. He pushed himself, walking to the cockpit. If they didn’t leave, someone still could attack them. At the moment Artemis realized he didn’t care. Let someone try to attack the ship. They’d find a pissed-off tiger with nothing to lose.