I took a deep breath and leaned back against the tunnel wall, drawing my knees up. “Edith, not even you can solve everything.”
“Well, you don’t know that if you won’t tell me. Once again,wise.”
Chuckling, I shook my head. I gripped the touchstone, my mind’s eye seeing the stylus on his trinkets shelf. “No, you can’t solve this problem. It’s something I need to handle on my own.”
She released a long breath. “Fine, be that way. Ihaveasked for your help before.”
“You have.” My project on the AI kill code was her idea, after all.
“I want to help you as well. We’re friends.”
“You do,” I told her. “You are a dear friend, Edith, and right now, that’s all I need.”
“Fine, but I’m always here if you want to talk.”
“I do know that, but thank you for the reminder.” I ended the session and pushed my touchstone back into my pocket.
Talking to Edith, even if I hadn’t told her about what was going on, helped calm me, but it wouldn’t last. My instincts were especially potent when it came to Monqilcolnen. The thought of him wanting someone else while being with me was a knife deep in my gut.
However, I needed to get my work done, so I did my best to put the commander out of my thoughts and focus. It only slightly worked, but I was able to repair the misfiring, though I did have to log the split wire repair—the repair because of my temper. Hopefully Qinlin wouldn’t want to speak to me about it.
I shimmied out of the tunnels, intending to head to the promenade and meet with Urgg and Seth, when I caught sight of Camden staring out of the large window that looked out to space. The window was framed with vines erupting with flowers, and he was gripping the safety bar and taking deep breaths. I frowned, eyebrows drawing together.
“Camden,” I called, heading toward him. “Are you well?”
“Of course. I’m always fine.”
That was a lie, but before I pressed, I silenced the questions. Just as I didn’t want Edith to pester me, it was very possible Camden didn’t want me to pester him either. So I swallowed my concerns and instead asked, “Where is Noxlyn?”
He released a sigh. “Busy.”
My frown deepened. Basically, every time I saw either of them, it was with each other. They always seemed to be right beside each other. If Camden had been anyone else, I would’ve thought he and Noxlyn might have been courting, but the human didn’t like males and had no desire for romance currently, as he’d said.
Unable to remain silent, I asked, “Is there an issue?”
“I’m missing my little brother.”
My head cocked. I remembered him mentioning a younger brother. Was this why he had come on theAdmiral Venin the first place? Probably. I should’ve put it together earlier. Wait. Had he told me? I had a vague memory of him talking about something like that. I hadn’t really been paying attention. I’d been distracted of late.
“Has the Cohort said whether you can bring him on board?”
He shook his head. “No. Teddy is having the same issue about his family.” Camden faced me, eyes stark. “I can’t leave Kai there.”
“Why?”
“When I was taken, he was still a kid. I mean, he’s eighteen, maybe. I don’t honestly know how long it’s been exactly. But he lived with our father, who wasn’t… Well, let’s just say kind. I have to talk to Kai. I have to tell him I didn’t abandon him, and more importantly, I have to make sure he’s safe. Here. With me.”
“Have you told the Cohort this?”
“No. But I did ask to bring him here.”
I shifted closer to Camden. “Exposing yourself to people can be hard, but if you tell the Cohort all of this, in great detail, and reference that you in all honor are responsible for Kai and cannot leave him behind, then it will help you.”
“Really?” he asked with a smile.
“Yes. Ask Caleb to help you. No one is as good at twisting words around as him.”
Camden sagged. “Thank you, Wyn.”
