All the fucks.
This deception didnotlook goodon our part, and with the Stellarians’ reputation—which wasn’t unfounded—I wouldn’t be surprised if Leeloo assumedwewere the ones with nefarious intent.
Or… just Ziggy…
I opened my mouth to speak, to desperately try to smooth things over, but then I felt the walls close in around me.
More specifically, a shield.
Leeloo tutted as the other Eki formed a tight circle around our table. “I hope you do not mind the precaution, My-kuh. We cannot have your mate trackingyoudown—not until we’ve finished our talk.”
31
ZIGGY
Micah had only been gone for a few minutes when I felt his anxiety spike, but I refrained from charging into battle on his behalf..
He told you he could handle this, Ziggy.
It was a struggle, but I refocused as best I could on feeding Pedro leftover hatini, too distracted to care when they threw their spoon on the floor, as usual.
A natural behavior of certain species at this age, apparently.
My thoughts drifted to the concept ofMicahas an Earthling child. Unsurprisingly, the Salahs had barely any family photos in their home while I was there, aside from professional portraits lining the hallways, but Micah displayed more candid snapshots in his bedroom, taped above his desk.
I knew this because as my mission on Earth drew to a close—and Micah and I had grown closer—I’d started sneaking into his bedroom in the middle of the night in my true form. At the time, I’d credited my overwhelmingneedto be close to him as simple curiosity, and the evidence supported this belief. When I wasn’t watching him sleep, I focused on examining the sentimental possessions he had on display, determined to decodewhyI was drawn to this seemingly random Earthling.
My stellar collision all along.
We’d learned the truth about stellar collisions during our first adventure together and saw this harmony in action in the rebel hideout on the moon. Thanks to the different auras of various True Stellarians, Micah was able to identify which had taken full control of their skinsuits versus those coexisting with an equally aware host.
While I’d only melded my consciousness with Micah’s once since then, I was happy with our current arrangement. The piece of my core that remained inside him served its purpose by allowing me to get a better read on his feelings—when he wasn’t purposefully burying them.
I’m one to talk, I suppose…
Due to the piece being so small, I couldn’t read his thoughts. Even if Icould,however, I most likely wouldn’t take advantage of this unfettered access out of respect for his privacy.
I do havesomemorals.
Those morals were hard to remember at the moment, as I anxiously awaited my mate’s return. Micah may have insistedhewasn’t suspicious of the Eki, but that didn’t change the fact my most precious treasure was currently alone and unguarded among creaturesIdidn’t fully trust.
Having Pedro under my watchful eye was appeasing me to some extent. Despite the fangs and other defensive enhancements I hadn’t seen since I’d cornered the Trol in the air vent, theywerejust a baby. A baby who needed my protection.
A baby who could make me extremely powerful…
Stop it, Ziggy.
As with every time these intrusive thoughts crept in, I tried to put as much distance between myself and the karnilian as possible. With how small our rooms were, the best option was to step outside, but I didn’t go far. I left the door cracked as I leaned against the door frame—not only to keep an eye on Pedro, but discourage them from making another hole in the wall to reach me.
Maybe they could gnaw through the shields trapping us in this city…
My gaze lifted to the ceiling high above us, extending my powers to subtly push against the invisible barrier, testing for weaknesses. Unsurprisingly, there were none, which begrudgingly impressed me.
Who is keeping the shields in place?
Leeloo? Or is it a collective effort?
My thoughts wandered to an offhand comment Honnor had made when we first met onApotelesma.It was in reference to their fellow True Stellarians—how they’d all discovered their true purpose, not just by coexisting with their vessels, but by tuning in to each other.
