“Any others like me?”
“…No. You are the last.”
Thank God for that. She turned back to the controls.Thrusters on.The ship lurched forward, but after that, it glided with no sense of movement.Shields up so we don’t fry on reentry.
“Female?”
“Cordelia,” she said.
“C-Cordelia?”
Scowling, she turned toward him. “What?”
“There is someone at the door.”
CHAPTER 52
Fifteen Minutes Ago
Rentir paced the hall for a third time, his tail thrashing behind him. Every fiber of his being itched to crawl after Cordelia, but it wasn’t possible. All he could do was wait and pray that she was able to find someone to end the lockdown without coming to harm.
“You should conserve your energy,” Thalen said sagely, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest.
“That is easy for you to say. You do not know this itch beneath your skin. My world is not right when she is not with me.”
Thalen rubbed at his chest with one hand, just over his heart, frowning. “I may understand more than you think.”
Rentir stopped dead, looking over at the male in shock. Cold dread followed. “Who?” he rasped, muscles tensed in anticipation.
He’d been in close contact with Cordelia that day. Could it be…
Thalen huffed, rolling his eyes. “It is not your human, Rentir. Breathe.”
Relief sang through him. “Then who?”
Thalen rubbed the back of his neck, his mouth flattening. “…Sophia. It is not so intense as you describe, only a faint stirring, but I have felt the distance this day. It gnaws at the edges of my mind.”
Rentir barked a laugh, prompting a glare from Thalen.
“What is funny?” he demanded.
“She nearly killed you.”
Thalen rolled his eyes and waved a hand in the air. “Nonsense.”
“It took the medpod hours to mend you!”
“Rubbish.”
Rentir regarded him silently, wondering if he was imagining the flicker of uncertainty in his eyes. “Does she know?”
Thalen shifted restlessly, his tail twitching. “No. It is too soon. I would not put such pressure on her.”
Rentir nodded, though the self-restraint was a mystery to him. “She seems kind.”
Thalen’s mouth tugged to one side in a lopsided smile. “She is.”
“I wish you happiness with her.”
