Torran’s property was beautiful. It was carefully landscaped but retained a wild kind of beauty with a profusion of native plants, none of which I recognized. I’d studied the offline map Kee had sent to my comm. The property had to be nearly a hectare, but it was hard to judge the size from the ground because the winding paths were obscured from each other.

I had just begun to relax for the first time since Valovia had shown up on Starlight’s display when Torran just happened to appear on the random path I’d chosen. He’d changed back into civilian clothes, though the dark slacks and thigh-length, long-sleeved tunic were far nicer than the casual clothes he’d worn on Starlight.

I raised an eyebrow at him. “Did you sprint down the other path so it would look like you ran into me by chance?”

He shook his head, amusement in his eyes. “Believe it or not, I was merely enjoying a walk. I’ve been away for a long time and while Starlight’s garden was nice, it’s not the same.” He frowned at me and looked around. “Are you alone?”

Warning tingles licked up my spine. If they felt more like anticipation than concern, I ignored it.

“Luna is around here somewhere,” I hedged. “Why? Is your property unsafe? If so, you should’ve told me. My people are out, too, and I need to warn them.”

He shook his head. “The property is safe enough. I did not think your first officer would let you explore on your own in unknown territory. He seems . . . protective.”

“Eli does have an overprotective tendency,” I agreed easily. “He’s currently using it on Lexi and Anja.” I cocked my head and thought about the snatches of conversation I’d caught over the comm. “And Havil, I believe.”

Torran’s eyes went distant, then he dipped his head in agreement. “And Chira.”

I chuckled. “It’s a party over there, wherever they are.”

“Do you wish to join them? I can . . .”

I waved him off before he completed the offer. “I sent them off together on purpose so I could enjoy a quiet walk with Luna.”

Torran hesitated, then asked, “May I join you?”

“If you’d like, but I’m planning to walk the whole property, so you don’t have to stick around once you’ve gotten enough fresh air. Do you know where the thieves gained entry?”

Torran’s mouth compressed, but he nodded. “Shall I show you?”

“Just point it out when we get there.”

He silently fell in beside me, letting me set the pace. We ambled along while Luna frolicked through the greenery. For all of my relaxed pace, I kept a sharp eye on our surroundings.