Duress (A Bad Batch Fanfic Book 2)

The sunset on Pabu was like nothing Saedii had ever seen.

Pinks and oranges frosted the lacy clouds along the horizon. The colors crept up – all the way up above their heads, like ink bleeding into dry paper. Beneath, they reflected on the water in a shimmering haze of neon light, dappling around the white specks of sleeping birds bobbing in the gentle waves. Little veins of lavender and navy were just beginning to edge in as the night fought for control.

Phee's villa had a perfect view of the water. It was nestled towards the top of the island – one of the first homes built, she'd told them as she'd shown them around earlier. Made entirely of sun-bleached sandstone, it was one of the larger homes on Pabu, built right on the edge of the bluffs. Two stories tall and with a wide balcony along the second floor, it felt more like a miniature palace than a house.

Saedii and the Batch sat at Phee's table on the balcony. Overhead, small lights crisscrossed like little bits of silk, each as bright as a star. Before them, spread out along the long table, was a massive feast.

Wrecker had nearly cried at the sight. So had Saedii, though she'd never admit it.

Bowls of steaming vegetables smothered in butter. Baskets of ripe fruit. Mountains of rice and potatoes, flavored with rich spices – some that Saedii had never smelled before. Miniature cakes and whipped puddings. Boxes of little candies.

And fish.

Tons and tons of fish. Raw, cooked, fried, rolled in rice – each looking more delicious than the rest.

Somehow, it made all the food on Teth look like stale ration bars.

Across the table, Wrecker gave a delighted burp. "This is the best food I've ever had."

"I'm glad you like it." Phee took a very haughty sip from her glass. Inside, wine the shade of daeka plums was giving off a sweet, spicy scent.

Saedii had tried to snag a glass earlier, but Echo had caught her and poured her water instead. Which was so not fair, considering all the others (minus Omega) were also drinking the wine.

"Where do you get all this food?" Omega asked as she tried a piece of a bright orange fish dripping with a lemony sauce.

"We grow everything ourselves," Phee said proudly.

Echo swirled his glass of wine. "I would think it's hard to grow anything here."

As Phee opened her mouth to answer, Tech suddenly blurted, "An analysis of the soil has revealed it to be volcanic, which means it is rich in nutrients. Paired with the moist island air, the environment is a prime candidate for vegetation growth."

"Right you are, Brown Eyes." Phee's voice grew warm.

Tech flushed at the sound.

Crosshair made a face.

"Come on, Crosshair. You can't still be mad, can you?" Phee asked. She gestured to the lovely patio around them. "Not after you've seen this."

"I'm not mad. I'm nauseous," Crosshair muttered. "Can't you keep your heated gazes away from my brother?"

"Not when he looks that delicious."

That blush on Tech's face grew nearly as bright as the sunset. Saedii and Omega caught each other's eye and giggled.

Hunter watched the exchange with an upturn to his lips. Enjoying the sight of Tech floundering under Phee's attention. Of his brothers exchanging some brotherly banter.

The tension around Phee was still there, but far less suffocating than it had been earlier. Somehow, seeing this place and the villagers had eased some of the anger the Batch had held towards Phee for lying. If Saedii was being honest, a part of her even respected Phee for her commitment to her people. She'd do anything for them.