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“Then I guess we were meant to be together,” I said, wishing badly we could kiss. I was going to do the four laps this afternoon, damn it! I needed alone time with Tolly.

“I have something for you,” Tolly said, sitting up and fussing with my blankets and pillows and not meeting my gaze. His tone and actions made me suspicious.

“What?”

“You're not going to like it,” he said. “But I need you to accept it.”

Was I going to need to wear a brace for the rest of my life? No, that couldn't be it. The healers would've said something.

“Then you better show me,” I said, preparing myself for something unpleasant.

Tolly opened the pouch on his belt and pulled out something round and slim. It took me a moment to figure out what it was.

“Is that a collar?”

“It's your collar,” he said, then leaned in close to whisper again. “I know you don't want to wear it, but after I bought it, Lexarit modified it so it will latch but not lock. You can take it off at any time. I didn't want to press the issue while you were still recovering, but the staff here is upset that you're not wearing one, and you'll be leaving soon. They consider it important that all humans wear a collar.”

I took the collar from him and examined it. Using his body to shield my movements, I clicked it open and closed a few times.

“It has a tracker so if you're ever kidnapped we'll be able to find you,” he said, then pointed to the glyphs inscribed on the side. “That says Of The Empire. We have the same thing written on all our ships. It means that if a non-Talin tries to do anything to you, they risk the wrath of the Talin Empire.”

It was a collar, but it was also a shield. This item made me safer than any weapons I could ever carry with me.

That change of perspective made it much easier to secure the collar around my neck. The moment the clasp clicked shut I expected to feel some kind of unease or anxiety.

It didn't feel too tight or constraining. Was I crazy that it felt comforting?

“Thank you, Tolly,” I whispered.

He purred. “I should thank you. You've changed everything for the better.”

Chapter 20

Opal

Four laps left me sweaty and lightheaded, but I made it! Leaning against my bed, I looked up at Grifforum.

“I get to leave now, right?”

Grifforum hesitated and I knew he wanted to say no. “You need to stay on the station for another rotation. I want to do one more check before you leave.”

I was so eager to get out of the medical bay that I agreed without hesitation. “Okay.”

Tolly sounded a rumble of agreement. “The maintenance on the ship should be done by then, so that is acceptable.”

I looked over where Sloane was hidden from sight. “I want to talk to Sloane before leaving.”

“Today isn’t going to work,” Grifforum said, sounding a negative rattle. “She was in a lot of discomfort, and we had to heavily medicate her.”

“Tomorrow?” I asked.

“It depends on how her reassessment goes,” Grifforum said. “At the very least we can let you see her, but I won’t know her state of consciousness."

“Yes, I will want to see her,” I agreed. I could only hope she was able to talk. I wanted her to know she was safe from being bought or sold, although telling her that wouldn’t do any good if she couldn’t process what I was saying.

Now that I could go, I was desperate to get out of here. I looked up at Tolly. “I’m ready to leave, please.”

He sounded a rumble of agreement. “As soon as Narmuna and Lexarit get here.”