“Please stay,” I whisper. “Please be our family. Forever.”
She holds me for a long time.
“I want to,” she finally says, voice all rough. “Tavia, I want to stay so much it scares me.”
“Then stay! If you want to, just stay!”
“It’s not that simple. I have debts. Problems. People looking for me who might hurt anyone I’m with.”
“Papa can fix problems. He’s really good at fixing things.”
“Not these problems.”
“But you haven’t asked him!”
She pulls back to look at me. “You really are exceptional, you know that?”
“Pickles says it all the time.”
“Small person,” Pickles says through the bay speakers. “The Captain is correct. You demonstrate exceptional emotional intelligence. I am... quite proud. However, I must request you return to the residential pod immediately. There is a situation requiring your attention.”
“What kind of situation?” Dove asks.
“I would prefer to discuss this in private.”
We head back quickly. Papa’s already there, standing in the kitchen with his markings doing complicated patterns.
“What’s wrong?” Dove asks.
“Pickles intercepted a communication. He believes you should hear it.”
“What communication?”
“From your creditors,” Papa says quietly.
A stranger’s voice fills the room, smooth and dangerous: “Dove Foxton. Collection Agent Niz’kor, Blackstar Collective. We’ve received intelligence that atmospheric conditions are improving ahead of forecasts. Our recovery team will arrive at your current coordinates in forty-eight hours. We suggest you prepare payment arrangements. For your sake, and the sake of anyone currently harboring you.”
Silence.
Dove’s face goes white. Papa’s markings flare danger-bright.
“They know exactly where I am. And they’re threatening you.”
“Dove—”
“I have to leave. Now. Before they get here. I can’t let them hurt you.”
“You’re not leaving. We’ll handle this together.”
“You don’t understand. If I stay, they’ll—”
“If you leave, I’ll come after you.”
They stare at each other. Papa’s markings are blazing now.
“Cetus, they could hurt Tavia. I won’t risk that.”
“And I won’t let you face them alone.”
