Was he kidding? How was I supposed to act like it wasn’t affecting me? I couldn’t get my limbs to move any faster even if I wanted to. I wasn’t even sure I could stand up yet, much less mine any more lucole. Especially if it was killing me. What was I supposed to do?

“Stall. Tell them it’s the stress. That you’re scared.”

I hissed, telling Declan just what I thought of his idea. I might be terrified of what was happening to me, but letting the control room know that I was scared was not something I wanted to do. I didn’t like showing weakness.

“I know. You’re a di Aetes, but even your father would agree with this plan. It makes sense. Your blood pressure is dangerously high, and they’ll believe that you’re too scared to continue. That your fear is giving you a headache. Tell them and sit tight. I have to make a call. I’ll be here, but I’m muting myself, okay?”

I whimpered. Declan was my lifeline. I didn’t want him to be muted.

“I’ll be right back. I promise.”

The earbud went silent. I missed the sound of his soft breathing. It’d been a comfort. I’d been alone on the moon four hours, but I’d never felt as alone as I did that moment.

And now I had to tell the base that I was too stressed out—too afraid—to continue mining. “I think the stress is getting to me.” I bit out the words. “I’m not sure I can do anymore today.”

I tuned out the fury from the base and waited for Declan to come back. I didn’t care how much the jerks back on Abaddon were yelling at me. Declan was right. I had to quit. I was trying—really trying—to make this work, but I couldn’t do it. And I couldn’t go back to the base. I couldn’t put on a suit again. Not today. Not ever.

I wasn’t sure what was going to happen next, and I was scared. I counted my breaths as I waited for Declan to come back and prayed for a miracle.

“Hey.” Declan drew the word out like a soft sigh.

I shoved down the sob that threatened to break free. I was glad Declan was back. So relieved that I wasn’t alone, even if he was light-years away.

“I have a new plan.” He sounded defeated, and I hated that.

I wanted to tell him how thankful I was for all the risks he was taking for me, but I needed something else to happen. I needed that new plan, whatever it was.

“I talked to your father and Lorne on the other line.”

“Thank you.” The words flew out before I could stop them.

“Kid?” Carl said. “You okay?”