“Don’t,” Welga said. “I’ll go lie down. You stay calm and sensible. We might need a different way of life, but global upheaval isn’t the way to get it. Fanatics like revolution, and they don’t care who gets hurt along the way. You’re not that kind of person. Don’t let them turn you into one.”

They fed Carma and the baby first, then Welga, in spite of her protests, and everyone else ate last. Trying to cook for this many people by hand took up most of Nithya’s energy. She had help now, from Zeli and her family, to deal with hand-cleaning and laundering. Sometimes Zeli’s mother cooked, but many of the ingredients she needed weren’t available. With five adults and two children in their tiny flat, the work never ended. Now they had three more, though for how long, she didn’t know. At least the new recruit, Jady Ammanuel, had helped without being asked. Clearly they had been well brought up.

As everyone around her fell asleep, Nithya struggled to stay awake. Luis lay next to her on the floor, his breathing even.

“Are you sleeping?” she whispered.

“No,” he replied, equally softly.

They tiptoed around the prone figures and out to the balcony, sliding the door closed behind them. The night air still held the heat of the day, most of it radiating from the surrounding buildings and street. No moon lit the sky. With everyone conserving power and the stellas gone, their view was the darkest Nithya had ever seen. A thousand stars burned in the sky above.

Her heart pounded as she stood next to the man she loved. “I’m sorry I lied to you,” she said.

“And you’re not sorry about the… abortion.” He forced the word out like a barb stuck in his throat.

Nithya shook her head. She wouldn’t apologize for that, and with all the stress of the Machinehood, she knew she’d made the right decision.

Luis sighed. “Welga reminded me that love also means forgiveness.” He turned and cupped her face in his hands. “You are my wife. I took a vow in front of God, and I intend to honor it. Just promise me—no more lies, okay?”

“That I can do. I promise. Are you—does this mean you’re back? You’re staying?”

“Yes.”

He leaned forward and kissed her forehead, then pulled her against him. Nithya laid her head on his shoulder and held tight. She didn’t want him out of her sight until full network access was restored.

“What do you think about Welga’s plan?” he said, still holding her.

“If she were healthy, she might accomplish something. As it is, I worry that she won’t make it to the station alive.”