Amber

"I— What? I'm going to help you?"

My head was hit with a rush of confusion by the claim. I was just a small human woman who could barely keep myself alive these past years. Yet here was this big, strong, intimidating man standing before me needing my help. It just didn't make any sense.

"Yes, Amber. Yes, you are."

"How the hell could I help you? I'm the one in trouble right now!"

"Let's go get some dinner. Some place quieter where we can talk without prying ears."

Ryrik scanned the room around us. I did the same but didn't spot any suspicious characters spying on us. But maybe he saw something I couldn't, which was just more evidence that I'd be no help to him.

"Dinner?" I responded. "I'm still on shift. I don't have a break for a few more hours. Even then, I'm only allowed?—"

"I'm your boss. You get a break if I say you do."

Ryrik then grabbed me by the arm and dragged me away. Before I knew it, he had taken me to a private dining area in a restaurant somehow even fancier than the one I worked in. Cloth on tables. Chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. Soft music playing from somewhere. The room was gorgeous yet empty besides us and a waiter rushing to greet us.

"Two of whatever the chef's special is tonight," Ryrik ordered before the waiter even reached us. He then pulled out a seat and gestured for me to sit down. "Don't worry, dinner is on me."

"Oh," I said as I sat down. "Thank you."

A feeling tugged at my chest. I was well aware that normal women got to go on dates with men who adored them. I'd never had the pleasure of being on one myself, but I had to imagine it would feel something like this. For a moment, I let myself imagine I was Ryrik's date, rather than his employee turned captive. It felt nice, and, for a moment, I smiled at him.

"Of course. But with that, I expect something out of you in return."

"Oh…" Nothing that I hadn't been through before. Though part of me had hoped Ryrik wasn't going to see me in that way.

"No," Ryrik said quickly. "I see that look on your face. Not that. I just have some more questions for you that I want the truth for."

"Of course." Relief flooded into me. "But what more could you need to know?"

"Whatever there is to tell me, Amber. Any detail about Conii and her plan, no matter how small, could be the key to stopping her."

"Okay," I responded. "But I truly don't know much. She wasn't exactly monologuing her plan to me or anything."

"Still," he said. "What exactly was it she needed from you? Were you just passing information along? Did you smuggle anything into the casino? Anything out?"

I wondered how many times I'd need to tell this guy the same answer. Maybe he still didn't trust me. Maybe he was waiting to see if I'd crack, if my answer would change.

"Just information out. I was instructed to eavesdrop, flirt, bribe, or really anything to get guests to spill their guts."

"And exactly what information did you pass along?"

"Everything and anything. Financial information, mining reports, what businesses are about to merge with who, who's having an affair, who's getting divorced, and anything else I've heard. I don't know what she plans to do with any of that, if she even can do anything."

"But you weren't told to target anyone specific? Prod for anything in particular?"

"No. No specific areas or targets," I responded quickly. "I mean, I guess judging by where she got me a job, she wants information on the wealthy guests. Which bartenders are sleeping with which chefs doesn't really interest her. But you probably already assumed that."

"Yes, our guests being the targets does make sense," he said. "Did she ever say anything that implied she worked with anyone else, or for anyone else?"

"No, I don't think so. Again, at least around me, she kept her plans close to the chest."

"Of course," he said. Ryrik looked a little disappointed. As if he had really hoped I was about to say something that would knock over all the dominos until Conii was in his custody. "Final question for the evening… Do you know where Isa is being held?"

I simply shook my head.

"I know she's somewhere in the complex of buildings that Conii uses for her base, but that's all." My throat closed for a moment. "It drives me crazy when I think of it. I've been to the stronghold, gotten orders from Conii. But I can't find Isa. She's got to be there somewhere, but…"

I couldn't continue, but I didn't need to.

"I figured not," Ryrik said. "But it was worth asking."

At that point, the waiter returned. He silently placed a plate down in front of both of us, some sort of roast. I didn't even know what the dish was called or what animal the meat came from. But from a single look, I could tell it likely cost more than all the food I ate in the last year combined.

A second waiter appeared to pour us each a glass of wine. Then they both disappeared without a single word.

"Dig in," Ryrik said.

"Are you sure? This looks very… My answers didn't exactly help you, did they?"

"No, but it'd be foolish of me to expect all the pieces to come together so soon. While it may not seem like it, you've been helpful. And will have the chance to be helpful again."

Ryrik proceeded to cut into his dinner. I followed suit. The meat cut like butter. It took all my control to not devour it immediately when my stomach growled.

After a single bite, I had to pause and savor the taste. The meat melted in my mouth. I always thought that was just an expression fancy and rich people said. But this meat literally did. I never thought I'd ever experience anything like this. And there were some on the station who ate like this every day.

"Wait," I said as the realization hit me. "What do you mean I'll have the chance to be helpful again? I don't know what other questions you could ask that I'd have answers for."

"No more questions," Ryrik said as he took another bite of his dinner. "Probably. About Conii at least, for now."

"Then how could I help?"

"I want you to just keep doing what you're doing."

"Excuse me?"

"You need to keep up appearances. Don't let anyone know that I've caught on to you. Certainly, don't let them know you've told me everything. You and Isa would not last long if that got out."

"You want me to keep working for them?"

I was expecting him to take me away from them. Cut off their access to the casino through me. These Vinduthi were just full of surprises.

"Of course, I do. You are our one link to Conii and her plans. That's a valuable resource that we can't risk giving up. So, yes. Don't change anything about your behavior. Don't tell anyone about our conversations. But keep me up to date on any developments."

"Sure…"

"In the meantime, I'll come up with a real plan. And let you know when I have it ready."

I cut off another small piece of the meat before me. I very slowly raised it to my mouth.

"You're eating with a Vinduthi, Amber," Ryrik said with a hint of amusement in his voice. "You don't have to worry about being polite."

"Sorry, I'm trying to pace myself. I've never had anything this good before. I want it to last."

"You've never had Mondion roast before?"

"This is made of Mondions?" My stomach turned.

"No," Ryrik said quickly. "No, no, no, it's not. It's just the traditional spices and cooking methods of the Mondions. Don't worry. It's made from some livestock. Nothing with thumbs or language."

"Oh…" My heart rate slowed. Then I couldn't help but laugh at myself. "No, clearly, I've never even heard of it. Never had anything this good."

"Really?"

"With the Quilthar, I never got more than table scraps. And before them, I was lucky to eat anything at all."

"Well," Ryrik said. "If you keep helping me take down Conii, I'll be sure to reward you with more meals like this. Whatever your heart, or stomach, may desire."

He smiled at me in a way I didn't think he was capable of until then. It was charming, almost. Even as I sat there fearing for my life, I couldn't help but get a little caught up in it. Once more, I was lured into a comfortable daydream of dating a rich, handsome man who wanted nothing more than to treat me. The thought of getting to eat like this every day was exhilarating, but not as much as the thought of sharing it with Ryrik.

A girl could dream.

"Thank you. I'll help however I can…"

I couldn't help but feel a little warmth growing in my chest at his offer. It was odd. Just a few hours ago, I was sure he was going to kill me. Now we were eating dinner together. And I didn't think I'd mind eating with him again.

And maybe again.

"So far, how have you enjoyed your time working at the Black Star Casino?" Ryrik asked.

"Um." I bit my lip and shrugged. "About as well as anyone who"s been forced into being an indentured servant on the threat of their friend's life."

"Right." Ryrik's full lips went up in a half-smile. "I should've guessed that."

We both laughed together for a moment at the ridiculous question. Though a part of me understood why he asked. Having dinner with him just now, I almost let myself forget everything going on around us. He was hardly the scary Vinduthi I first pegged him as.

"Have you been at the Black Star Casino for long?"

"I have."

"How did you start?"

"Well, Draven and the other guys running the casino with us, we all went through the war together. We're a brotherhood. When the war ended, we found ourselves in this line of work. And it's clearly been lucrative. Though, it's proven to be its own kind of war."

"What do you mean?"

"Let's just say Conii is not the first, and likely won't be the last, that we've had a run in with. When you sit on a throne, you have to expect enemies to come for the crown."

"Right. I imagine there is never a quiet day around here."

"Hardly. Always something to be doing. I'm not even sure the last time I truly sat down just to have a meal with—" Ryrik paused at the sound of a bell ringing.

He then quickly pulled out a device from his pocket. He quietly looked at it for a moment before stuffing it back in his pocket and returning his attention to me.

"I'm so sorry, Amber," he said while making intense eye contact. "Duty calls. That was Draven and I must answer him. Feel free to wait around to finish your dinner and wine, and you can also have what I didn't finish. Don't worry about the bill and head straight home after. Okay?"

"Okay."

"Goodnight, Amber."

"Goodnight."

Before I could even fully finish the word, Ryrik headed to the door. His comms device was already on, and he was back to work.

I quickly finished the leftover food and wine and hurried out as well.

The walk back to my place in The Under was anything but peaceful. I had to walk through some of the worst territories Thodos III had to offer a young woman on her own. But by this point, no one had tried anything with me. Yet.

I shouldn't have been so confident.