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ship. Then Lepsi can tell his brother to eat it, right?
And, who else in your family?” He hoped that would stop them again.
    Talos put a hand over Lepsi’s
mouth. “Condensed version: Lepsi’s father favors his brother, Federoy . Federoy is an arrogant
prick who can’t put his shoes on right unless Daddy tells him. Go explore
Elstwhere. We’ll see you later.”
    They dove into the current of souls
traipsing the crowded corridors, drifting away, disappearing among the throng
of colorful Backworlders. Shit.
    For a moment, Craze had an
overwhelming urge to run after them. His mind reeled, unsettled, unmoored. He
forced deep, even breaths while the coveralls squeezed his chest.
    “Don’t lose it now, jeez,” he
whispered. “A long way to go until this all resolves itself. Damn you, Bast.”
    Leaning against the wall, he
soothed his nerves by picturing shelves and bottles in his mind, setting the
containers of alcohol in a pleasing, precise order. His heart slowed and so did
his pulse.
    “It’ll be all right. Will go find a
coat ‘n see what Elstwhere has to offer. Maybe I don’t have to travel any
farther than this.” Right. He’d used his smarts to maneuver situations in his
favor plenty of times on Siegna. There was no reason those same techniques shouldn’t
work on Elstwhere. All he had to do was find the right person. “Simple.”
Fortified, he left the wall, heading for the streets.
    Verkinn elders dotted the station.
He didn’t detect any prodders, but he ducked out of their sights and into the
sea of traveling folks. The asshole councilmen changed his mind about staying
here though. He didn’t want to settle too close to home and have to put up with
their shit. Nope. He’d use his talents to get on the aviarmen’s vessel and to make more chips, so he could leave Siegna and Elstwhere far
behind.

 
     
    CHAPTER 6
     
     
     
    Craze fought his way through the
constant stream of people down to ground level and out into the streets of
Elstwhere. He sought vulnerability to take advantage of, enumerating all of his
past successes in increasing revenue for Bast’s tavern. He knew he had what it took to make something happen. And he would.
Dammitall.
    He could see no end to the city.
Its buildings spiraled to giddy heights, blocking out the world, most of the
sky, and natural light. Many of the edifices rose to match the stature of the
docking facility, sprawling in curling shapes, like a bizarre forest of giant
dancers frozen in mid leaps and twirls.
    He listened to unfamiliar
languages, heard the squawk of traffic, and the shrill signals directing it.
Doors slammed. People shouted and laughed. They pushed past him, rushing,
kicking up the air that was dryer and more sour than Siegna’s. He didn’t taste
as many nutrients in it. The coveralls were slow to compensate. His heart
pumped harder, his blood flowed faster. His steps faltered.
    People swore at him, shouting,
“Dumbass.” A couple of hard shoves sent him into traffic. Horns blared, treads
churned toward him.
    A hand pulled him back to the
walkway. “You should be more careful.”
    The person stood slender and
graceful, matching the architecture of the city, reminding Craze of new shoots
on a ganya tree. He couldn’t tell whether his rescuer
was a he or a she, having purple-tinted skin and long dark waves framing a pair
of flirty neon green eyes. As Craze watched, the Backworlder sprouted breasts
which grew into an ample bosom. He had heard about bi-gendered folks, people
who could change sexes, but he’d never seen it before.
    A vine tattoo ran along her jaw line
and down her throat. She took inventory of Craze, pausing on his new, shiny
boots. Her enormous irises dilated, growing darker, and she licked her lips.
    She saw Craze as prey. He could smell
the predator on her. He also detected the possibility of profit. His pulse
quickened at the thought of this game. The best thing was to let her label him
as weak. He could use her