“What is that awful sound?” mumbled Deimos. Romy was surprised how long he’d lasted tonight. If Houston wasn’t so intoxicated he would have given the twin his marching orders hours ago.

Nancy chuckled sleepily. “The didgeridoo sounds beautiful when it’s played properly. Houston just sucks.”

“He’s had too much to drink.” Eddie shifted.

“No,” Nancy disagreed. “He sucks when he’s sober, too.”

Eddie rubbed his eyes. “I a-actually think h-he’s a little better when he’s pissed.”

Elara snorted, wiping away a few tears of mirth.

“How long have they been here? Atlas and Houston?” Deimos asked the teens.

Nancy shrugged. “They come and go. Usually they only stay a couple of weeks. But with you guys here I guess they’ve extended it.”

Her knot was silent.

Deimos continued. “And what is it Atlas actually does?” He jerked as Phobos kicked him under the table.

“T-Tina says it’s classified and we’re better not to notice it if we know what’s good for us,” Eddie said.

So Knot 27 weren’t the only ones in the dark.

Romy still had her eyes on Atlas. Before she knew what she was doing, her chair was pushed back and her feet were leading her to the stage. To him.

He was glaring at Houston.

“You don’t like his playing?” Romy asked.

Atlas quirked an eyebrow at her obvious amusement. “Would you rather he continued?”

She pretended to think hard before smiling up into his grey eyes.

The lanterns still burned overhead. And past their dim light, the stars twinkled far above. There were so many of them. It was one thing Romy loved down here—the stars. They were lost when you lived among them. Stars didn’t look so good through high-powered telescopes—not pretty and sparkling like they did from here.

A woman was screaming with laughter from the dance floor.

Dragging her eyes to the sound, Romy was surprised to see who the noise came from.

Tina appeared to be nearly as drunk as Houston.

The drop-dead gorgeous woman wavered on her little feet. Why did she have to be so tiny?

Atlas called to two nearby soldiers. “Officers, please escort Ms. Lyons to her room.”

That was when Romy found out that although the woman was small, she was not weak. Tina planted her feet, barking at the two soldiers when they neared her. The dancers weaving on the floor halted to watch the ruckus. This was one of their camp leaders. Romy could see their shocked looks.

Atlas searched for and held her gaze. “I need to sort that out.” He sighed.

Romy realised it was funny how she could laugh like she meant it, even as her stomach fell to her feet. “Okay,” she forced out. There isn’t anyone else who can do it?

“You sure?”

“I’m sure. It’s probably best.” She wished he’d see through her words.