In a future where outposts swelter beneath a nuclear sun and run-gunners patrol dusty wastelands to protect against winged creatures known as devlars, Trin is the mech at the waystation in Arens. He has a thing for the gunners: rough men with strong hands and hard bodies, who roll through his garage like the hot desert wind. Gerrick’s the best gunner around, a quick draw with a deadly aim and a penchant for sharing his pallet with young men. He has a roving eye and roaming hands, and has left a string of broken hearts in his wake. Having heard the tales of Gerrick's bravery and seen the man in action for himself, Trin has fallen in love with the man he believes Gerrick to be, and he’s sure he can change the gunner’s mind if given the chance. Gerrick’s all he wants out of this blasted world, and he tells anyone who will listen. Then Gerrick rides through Arens. He’s heard the rumors of what Trin will do for a gunner who only mentions his name. What he wants to know is, what will Trin do for him?

Trin

Her lips twist with uncertainty. “Don’t,” she says simply.


For a moment he stands there and waits, sure she’ll add to that. Something along the lines of don’t whatmight be nice. But she doesn’t, just meets his gaze and waits for him to take up the scuffle where she left off. He doesn’t want to ask what she means, that would concede too much, and he surely doesn’t want to brush off this conversation altogether—if he walks away now she’ll get pissed, and probably tackle him halfway down the hall. Finally he decides to ignore the whole situation, pretend she didn’t just try to drag him back downstairs, and start fresh. Rubbing at his elbow, sore where he must’ve knocked it on the steps, he asks, “Have you seen Gerrick?”


“You don’t want to go there,” she says. She must mean the shower, and when Trin takes a step in that direction, she grabs his elbow again. Unexpected fear leaps in his chest. “Are you listening to me? I said you don’t—”


Chapter 27