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“Wealth isn't an issue for you any longer,” Lexarit said. “Hire the chair bot. Go home and rest. Once we're released, we'll see to your every need.”

“You need to think of the pup,” Narmuna said. “Please, take the chair and let Opal care for you. We will be at your side soon.”

“Uh, okay, I guess I'll use a chair bot,” she agreed, looking amused again and letting Opal lead her to a bench against the wall. The two women sat down.

“I'll go call one,” Eegruf said, and went back into the front area. The moment he was gone, Opal rushed up to the front of our cell. Unlike me, she was able to slip her slim arms between the bars. She gave me an awkward hug, pressing her head against the bars.

“I'm so sorry, Tolly,” she said. “I'll fix this. The tests shouldn't take long. It's a standard mental wellness test. The Massoc use them for anyone who works around vital systems. I've taken a lot of them over the years.”

“But you'll make sure Cleo is comfortable before you go to take the test, right?” Narmuna asked.

“You should make her a small meal,” Lexarit said.

“Make sure the temperature in your domicile is comfortable for her,” Narmuna ordered.

“Guys, I've been taking care of myself for a long time,” Cleo said from her spot on the bench. “I’m much stronger than I look.”

Neither male said anything, but I knew they didn't agree with her.

Opal ignored Cleo and answered Lexarit and Narmuna. “I’ll take her home first.”

Reaching up to my face, Opal rubbed her hands against my scent glands. Bonding oil coated her hands, and she drew back to rub it into her mane.

We all heard Eegruf returning, so she jumped away to sit next to Cleo. “There was a chair bot not far away. It's almost here. You should meet it in the corridor.”

“Thank you, Soul Eegruf,” Cleo said.

Opal cast me a last look before helping Cleo stand then putting an arm around Cleo's back and guiding her out.

“Did you see her?” Narmuna said the moment we heard the main doors to the brig close. “Isn't she a lovely human?”

Lexarit sounded a rumble of agreement “She’s so very small. Even tinier than Opal.”

“But still strong,” Narmuna said. “She lost her mate, and then we took Opal away. It's amazing she survived.”

“The ancestors have blessed us,” Lexarit said. “We must look after our blessings.”

“You were right,” I said, looking at Narmuna.

“Right about what?” Lexarit asked.

“I knew we’d find more humans,” Narmuna said. “I just didn’t think it would be so soon.”

Chapter 25

Opal

“I've thought of a name,” Cleo said, rubbing her stomach as the chair bot moved us back to our quarters.

“That's great,” I said. Cleo had changed her mind on baby boy's name so many times, I didn't take this announcement seriously.

I wasn’t paying much attention because I was impatient to get her home. Once she was there, I could go to the station wellness manager's office so I could go through all their tests and prove there wasn’t anything wrong with my thinking.

Cleo looked up at me. “You're not going to ask?”

“What name are you thinking about?” I asked.

“Jasper Junior,” she said. “We could call him JJ for short.”