That shouldn’t please her so much. Gods knew that she shouldn’t encourage it. Once they had other people to bear them company, she ought to encourage him to make multiple connections—to enrich himself socially. Once he had options—and there would surely be lots of interested parties—he could make a more educated decision regarding intimate matters. Someone else would be a better choice, someone who hadn’t been involved in his transition from a more esoteric existence.

Reason asserted all these things, but her heart might break when he chose someone else to share all his important moments.

[  10  ]

The supplies ran out on the sixth darktide.

Helix had some sense that they must have arrived early, but Qalu didn’t tell him precisely when their contact was arriving. They were both cold, uncomfortable, and dirty, and he could tell she was scared as well. Yet she’d left her home without a second thought and walked away from the only life she’d ever known.

What am I supposed to do?

No answers were forthcoming.

The waiting tested his patience, and an unfamiliar emotion filled him. Helix had no name for this one, as it was sharp and strange, and he was ready to question whether she’d thought this course of action through when a fierce wind swept over them.

“They’re here,” she said, her voice airy with relief.

Of course, Qalu must have been scared and skeptical as well, doubting her own choices, the wisdom of believing in an unknown quantity. He wished he knew how to respond appropriately, but he could only pull her away from the landing site, as experience told him there would be a burn, even if the pilot was flying with engines on low, and they didn’t want to be caught in the burst.

Whoever was inside set down smoothly and Qalu grabbed Aevi, racing toward the small shuttle like their lives depended on it. Perhaps they did.

As Helix gathered their belongings, the hatch slid open. Nobody came out to greet them, a fact that filled him with misgiving. But Qalu boarded without hesitation, and if it wasn’t safe, she would need his protection.

I haven’t tested this body’s combat capabilities yet. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.

As he stepped inside the shuttle, pain pierced his brain and he let out a horrendous sound, like his mouth had ruptured. Slices of memory tried to come, like they were cutting their way in, past flesh and bone. His vision went sideways and scenes superimposed. Gravas Station, he slid through the systems, reveling in the unfettered access. He wasn’t supposed to be there, but he had the entire station at his fingertips, the data streams silver and graceful, everything at his command. Klaxons, intrusion—

“Helix? Are you ill? With your permission, I’ll help you inside.”