“You are kind,” Auto-Nav echoed.
Torian smiled and left them alone, hopping down the steps to the living area. Celise was peering out the bank of windows, and startled when she realized she had company. Shock had settled over her features, which must mean she wasreallyimpressed. Normally, mild intrigue was all Celise offered.
“I—I can’t believe this was hiding in the nebula, all this time. It’s massive.” Celise rubbed her arm, suddenly uncertain.
“Wait until you get inside.” Torian wasn’t uncertain at all. She was so excited to show her sister around. She beckoned Celise down the steps to the cargo bay. “We’ll be back, Moss!”
“I will join you inside.”
That made Torian pause. “Inside?”
“With this proximity to Vaesa, I have reconnected to the colony Dutch borrowed, and the one I created during your confrontation with the draic. Both have access to cameras and speakers throughout the station.” Moss paused. “No, I am not leaving. Ihave enough processing power to split my attention.” Another pause. “It is unrealistic to expect myentirefocus, Auto-Nav.”
Celise quirked an eyebrow.
Torian waved it off, mouthing,Later.Then she said, out loud: “See you there, then. Bye, Auto-Nav! We’ll be back in a bit.” She pressed the holographic panel to open the cargo bay door, leading Celise into the warm air of Vaesa.
The dock was still distractingly ornate, framed with wooden carvings and handmade rugs. It smelled as earthen as the first time they’d visited—but now, after touching down on Rhymarra, Torian could really appreciate how good the air quality felt here. While Celise ran her fingers along a worn wooden bench, gaping at the architecture, Torian hunted for any indication that Zen and Dutch had arrived.
Nothing. Curious.
“Looks like we’re alone for now.” Torian tilted her head. “They must have docked somewhere else.”
Celise wasn’t listening. She’d skipped to a short tree with shimmering round leaves beside the dock’s entrance. Skeptically, she put her hand on its smooth, white bark—and then pivoted back to Torian. “This place has trees. Actualtrees.”
Torian rolled her eyes. “I told you it had trees.”
“I didn’tbelieveyou.”
“That sounds like a you-problem.” Torian smirked and stepped past her, through the dock’s wide doorway into the central dome’s outer ring. Above them, the kerrac tree shimmered in artificial wind. The pine forest surrounding it was barely visible over the buildings. Celise stared at all of it.
“It’s magical, huh?” Torian breathed. She couldn’t believe she actually got to share this with her sister. Without Dutch’s help, without Moss, Torian would have had a much different week. But this…
This was hope. True hope.
Celise noticed her gaze and quickly rearranged her features.“Don’t get ideas, Torian. Just because I’m impressed doesn’t mean I’m moving here. There’s no—”
“Halt!”
A deep voice echoed overhead, and a new draic—not Zenthielutos—slammed to the ground a breath later. This one was also male, and had dark purple scales. His horns were more curved than Zen’s, and he bared his fangs. “Who are you? State your business.”
Celise yelped, fumbling in her pockets. She found a holopad pen in her pocket and brandished it like a sword, even as she staggered backward. “G-get back!”
Torian and the draic both stared at it.
“Wow. Very threatening, Lise.” Torian gently lowered the pen with two fingers. She couldn’t blame her sister for that response, especially since she’d done almost the same thing—but now it felt doubly stupid. Torian faced the draic, raising an eyebrow. “Are you with Zenthielutos’s crew? I’m Torian Razner. The one who purchased Sequelta vel Dutch-Ath’s ship?”
The draic instantly relaxed, his wings folding slightly. “Hmm. Zen told me you’d be coming at some point.” He crossed his arms, one claw tapping against his scales. “Well, you’re late, but I suppose it’s good you finally got here. I’m Voranthir, Zen’s medic.”
A doctor. Already, Celise perked up, assessing the draic with professional curiosity now.
The draic didn’t seem to have the same opinion. He noticed Celise looking and narrowed his slitted eyes.
Torian cleared her throat and offered a hand, mostly out of habit. The draic regarded her, then took her hand as if humoring her human customs. His grip was comically loose—which, she supposed, was better than how tight itcouldhave been.
“Are you going to put that… weapon… away?” Voranthir gestured at the holopad pen.
Celise’s cheeks colored, but she stood her ground. “Why? Does it intimidate you?”
