She demonstrated by swinging the apple up and around the lamp, holding it so one side was lit all the time. "The City of Night is almost in the center of the dark side. That's the realm of the Pure Bloods, and their influence stretches to cover most of this hemisphere. We," she gestured around her, "come from a place called Penumbra City. It's a mile or so into the Day Side. The Pure Bloods dare not venture there, or they'll die. The sunlight's fatal to ‘em."
"So that part of the myth — the one about them hating sunlight because it'll kill ‘em — is also true?"
"Oh yes. I understand you Earth people also believe Pure Bloods have an aversion to holy symbols. That's not true — or, if it is, it's not true on BloodDark."
"Uh huh? I sure wished I had something that would've worked against the scumbag who took Cathy and me."
Adena's face showed sympathy. "You never saw her again?"
"No. One of the thugs, a guy like something out of a Grimm's fairytale, came and took me and a bunch of other guys from the cell. They herded us onto a train out of God's train set and took us to the mining camp where you found me. They made us work until we dropped and were no further use. " He shivered again. "I don't know how much longer I would've survived if you hadn't come along."
Adena looked him over. "From your condition, I'd say that you must've been at the camp for around a couple of months."
"You have months, and days, and weeks?"
She smiled. "Yes, but I suspect not as you know them. You managed to escape. We saw the riot."
"Yeah. One of the ogre taskmasters at the work-face choked on his food. I took a chance and buried a pickax point in his chest. The rest you know, or can guess at."
She nodded and her eyes twinkled. "Indeed. It was well done."
He smiled out of modesty, liking her praise. "How did you come to be there at the camp, Captain?"
"We're on a cargo run to the City of Night. The fires alerted us to something going down in the mining camp, so we took a look-see." She shrugged. "Most times the Pure Bloods are busy bickering among themselves, and that's fine for us. We don't poke the nest if we can avoid it. Other times..."
She grinned, and Greg noticed for the first time how pointed her canine teeth looked. He found the effect unnerving.
"Other times," she went on, "we pick up what we can from them, when we can." Adena looked at him and rubbed her jaw. "You might be a bonus find on our run. Equally, you might not."
He sat up in alarm and clutched the blanket, remembering his nakedness almost too late. "You're heading back to that city? I don't want to be retaken by those scumbags!"
She held up a hand. "We won't let it happen. Finder's keepers, I think you say."
Her eyes closed until they were mere slits. She appeared to be thinking. Greg ventured a question that had been weighing on him. "Captain, is... is there any way I can rescue Cathy and get back home?"
Adena opened her eyes fully. "There's always a chance, Greg, but I'm sorry to tell you it's small. The Portal's in the center of the City of Night, and it's the only way on and off this world. The great Houses of the Pure Bloods vie for control of it. Some are more lax at guarding it than others. As far as I know, the current controllers are House Alpha. They're tougher than most, but under Pure Blood law they have to let others use the Portal. All the Houses who hold control tax those who use it. It's what makes controlling it so good for them. Did you see an emblem anywhere after you arrived through the Portal? I might be able to tell you who took Cathy."
Greg thought. "I did see a badge on the vampire guy's cloak. It looked like a Gothic arch with two white hands in prayer underneath."
She nodded at once. "House Caronel. They're one of the minor Houses, but that's not to say they're weak."
"So, we're heading back there." Greg's voice sounded flat to his ears.
"We are. Should be there in two days."
"It's not like I have much choice." He sighed and looked Adena in the eye. "I owe you a huge debt, Captain. I don't know how I'll repay you."
"Something will come in time, perhaps." Adena stood to go then paused and touched his hand where it lay outside the bedclothes. "You must rest. I don't expect you to work your passage, so be easy. If you need anything, Conner's just a call away. Use the bell button on the wall above you. When you're feeling up to it, and if your feet don't hurt too much, we'd welcome you at dinner. There's only one other passenger on this run. He might like the company."
"Thanks."
Adena left. Greg sipped some water then laid down, the effort of talking so much tired him. His mind turned to Cathy with an attached sense of guilt at not thinking of her earlier. I wonder if she's even alive? Whatever happens, I'll try to find her!
Adena walked through the lounge on her way to the flight deck and found Zared waiting for her. As she entered he stood and drew a sealed envelope from the interior pocket of his jacket. "We are one day out from Penumbra City, Captain. As promised here are the directions to the location in the City of Night my uncle wishes you to fly to."
He handed her the envelope. Using her thumb, Adena broke the wax seal and opened it. She scanned the few lines of directions and her eyebrows rose. "The location written here is quite deep
