“Neither of us is that lucky.” I hold up the bag. “But I found some food.” Volethos’ eyes lock onto the bag, and he licks his dry lips. “And I found a medbot.”
For a moment I see genuine surprise—the humbling sort—flicker across his face before he looks away and reaches toward the bag. “Looks like you just might be my new lucky talisman.”
I pull the bag away before he can grab it. “Medbot first. This is probably all the food in this place, and you’ll need it after you’re healed.”
When he bares his teeth and hisses at me, I rummage in the bag and toss him a hydro pouch. He tears it open with his teeth and drains it in a few swallows. So I toss him another.
“Let’s go,” I say after he finishes that one too. Volethos is unsteady as I pull him to his feet, but once he’s upright, he stays that way.
I wrinkle my nose when I loop his arm around my shoulders. “Vittu! When did you last shower?”
“Sorry to offend your delicate senses,” Volethos growls. “I haven’t exactly had much chance, trying not to die and all.”
We’re close in height, but where I’ve got muscle bulk, he’s wiry. Possibly from malnutrition. Or illness. Or both.
“You said you’ve known Igid since you were kits,” I prod when we start a slow limp back toward the center of the station.
For several long moments, Volethos is quiet, and I start to wonder if he’ll take the bait and talk or ignore me. In the end, he decides to talk.
“She wasn’t much more than six or eight revs when she came to Jarain’s house,” he sighs. “She was a pretentious thing, even when she was still pretty skittish.”
* * *
Volethos
* * *
I’m at the counter eating breakfast when I hear the sound of a throat clearing. Swinging my head around, I find Jarain standing in the doorway with a girl in front of him.
Her arms are wrapped tightly around herself, with her chin tucked against her chest as she watches me intently from under a set of thick lashes. I recognize the ill-fitting shirt and pants she’s wearing because I outgrew them several seasons ago.
Her black hair is plaited tightly from the top of her head to where it stops at her waist. Oh, and she’sblue.I’ve never seen anyone blue before.
“This is Igid,” Jarain says, his hand hovering over her head but not touching her. “I want you to show her around. She’s a little skittish, so don’t go pushing her.”
I nod, my eyes not leaving the frightened girl. I know the drill. Igid isn’t the first kit Jarain has brought here since he took me in three revs ago.
“Yes, sir.”
Jarain huffs but doesn’t correct me. He hates it when I call him sir, but it’s better thanMaster,which he hates even more.
“Igid, this is Volethos,” Jarain says to her, waving a hand in my direction. “He’ll watch over you, show you around. We’ll all meet here for lunch, then I’ll show you the shop.”
She nods but doesn’t lose the terrified glint in her eyes. Over her head, Jarain gives me a meaningful look before heading out of the kitchen.
“Are you hungry?” I ask once we’re alone.
She shakes her head, and I sigh.
“Look, Jarain isn’t like any of the Masters you might have had before,” I tell her. “He’s a good male and would never…” Her eyes have grown huge, and she’s lost some of her blue coloring. “You know what? I have a better idea.”
Slipping off my stool, I take my bowl to the replicator then head back to Igid. “Follow me, I know the perfect place.”
* * *
My feet shuffle to a stop, and my head swings over to look at Volethos. “What kind of Masters did she have before Jarain?” I’m pretty sure of the answer I’m going to get, and my stomach twists.
Volethos lets out a mirthless snort. “Oh, I think you can use your imagination and be pretty accurate in this case.”
