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head.
A catwalk opened up on her right, leading right through the forest s heart.
A posted sign indicated that the concourse was located at the other end.
According to the station flyer, most of the kafés could be found in the
concourse area.
Perfect. She smiled and headed down the catwalk through the arching
trees, completely enchanted.
The concourse was like any other interstellar shopping mall, with rows of
exotic shops along a thoroughfare and potted trees and decorative benches
scattered everywhere. There wasn t an enormous amount of foot traffic, but
what there was, was very colorful. She spotted dozens of different alien
races shopping, eating, and chatting along with various human races from all
over the Imperium.
Mixed among the shops were a number of crowded kafés, but according to
her talent, none of them were where she was supposed to be. With a heavy
sigh, Luxi kept walking.
As she reached the far end of the concourse, the station lights dimmed into
station sunset, and then station night. Tall, archaic lamp posts of black iron
winked on to provide lighting. Overhead, thousands of tiny lights flickered
to life, acting as stars in the completely contained world.
The Pouting Mermaid Kafé sat on the very edge of the upper gallery
overlooking the formal gardens two stories below. The shop itself was little
more than a fancifully nautical roofed counter framed by a pair of potted
dwarf-oaks.
A dozen or so small round tables were scattered by the balcony for
relaxing patrons, of which there was only one. A young man in a steel-gray,
floor-length informal coat lounged casually at one of the tables under the
golden glow of a lamppost. He held a cup in one gloved hand and a small
fiction-reader in the other.
Within her, chance entwined with opportunity. She had arrived at the right
place.
Luxi approached the counter and pulled out her data card. She was simply
dying for a cup of kaffa.
The young man behind the counter was busily cleaning one of the antique
kaffa brewers that lined the back wall. Artistic cups and mugs perched in
nooks on the side walls. He glanced up and smiled. Hi, I m Brett. What can
I get you? He was perfectly ordinary. Brown hair, brown eyes, and a
slightly rumpled green apron covered his black shirt and trousers.
Hi, Brett, I m Luxi. She grinned and gave him her order.
Brett grabbed a huge green mug from the wall and started his machines.
So, Luxi, what brings you to Port Destiny?
Luxi shook her head. Just passing through. But I was wondering, would
you mind if I borrowed one of your tables to do some fortune-telling?
Brett glanced over at her, his eyes wide. Fortune-telling? Here?
Luxi s brows lifted. Is there a rule against it?
Brett curled his lip sourly. No, it s just that most of the other fortune-
tellers hit the kafés closer to the middle of the concourse. He poured a
liberal amount of cream into the green mug, then filled it with freshly
brewed black kaffa. You any good?
Luxi grinned. Better than most.
Brett handed her the steaming mug and lifted his brow. Sure about that,
are you?
Luxi took the cup in both hands. The hot brew smelled heavenly. Let s
put it this way -- my talent got me fired from my last job as an information
leak, and I was only the receptionist.
Whoa ... Brett blinked. You must be a major talent.
Luxi shrugged. I have no idea. Unlike normal psi-talents, this one doesn t
show up under testing. She smiled. Want to test it yourself?
Brett s mouth fell open. Me? Oh, hell yeah!
Pardon me.
Huh? Luxi turned and nearly dropped her cup. The young man in the
long gray coat stood by her left elbow with his hands tucked behind him. His
eyes were as green as the leaves on the trees and seemed brilliant against the
deep auburn of his tightly bound hair. The long tail falling over his breast
and nearly to his waist was bound in steel-gray ribbon nearly to the end, as
though to hide the deep, fiery color. His face was strongly but arrestingly
carved, though he seemed young. And his mouth ... He had the fullest, most
kissable lips Luxi had ever seen.
He quirked up a dark red brow and smiled at Luxi. May I observe your
work?
Luxi nearly staggered from the effect. Whoa, that smile should have a
warning label. She swallowed to get her voice back. That s up to Brett; it s
his fortune.
Brett grinned. Sure, I don t mind. Want a refill while you re here?
The young man turned to Brett. That would be wonderful. And, if I may,
please put the young lady s order on my tab.
Luxi felt the tiniest shiver. The young man s voice was surprisingly deep
and flavored with a rich, exotic accent. He had one of those voices that could
recite a grocery list and sound compelling.
He turned to Luxi. You don t mind, do you?
Yes, please! I mean no; I mean thank you. Luxi felt her cheeks heat. It
was hard to think past that lethal smile.
You are quite welcome. He gave her a small bow. I am Amun Verity.
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