“Queen Ojo’s father,” Zin answered. “To say that I was enthusiastic about journeying here would be an understatement. I long for discovery and illumination gained from venturing into unfamiliar territory. However, after we arrived, and commenced construction of the city, there were . . . complications.”

Eva sat cross-legged on the tabletop next to her belongings. She took a bite of the oatmeal-colored bar. “Complications?” she said. “Like what?”

Zin’s chirrupy voice became low. “Mainly with my sister Darius, who abhorred this place. As soon as we landed here, she was continually haunted by visions of its brutal and violent past—a past that she tried to block out. Yet she was bombarded by dark memories in her dreams at night and meditations by day. Eventually she fled, looking for refuge—a meadow, a lake, a mountain that had only a peaceful past . . . a place of tranquillity.” Zin drifted low to the floor, like a fallen leaf. “She isolated herself from the rest of us. I never heard from her again.”

Eva furrowed her brow. “But I didn’t meet Daria.”

“Darius, no,” Zin corrected her, his voice soft. “You met Arius. Darius died under mysterious circumstances some time ago.”

“Oh, no,” Eva said, setting her SustiBar down. “I’m sorry.”

“My brother and other sister were, understandably, upset.” Zin fluttered back up, toward the skylight. “They wanted to find her and depart from Orbona immediately.”

Eva watched as he looked out into the night sky. “But you didn’t, did you?” she asked.

“I had given my word to the Ojo family to remain here as an adviser. I could not disavow my responsibilities to them, or to myself.” Zin gazed outside, unmoving. “My family abandoned me, then dissolved communication with me.” There was resentment in his voice. “They simply did not understand the pressures I was dealing with.”

“But they are your siblings,” Eva said in earnest. “Do you know how lucky you are to have a brother and sister?”

“Luck has nothing to do with it, Eva Nine,” Zin said, and sniffed. He fluttered back down to her. “But, as you suggested regarding the tardigrade, I need to speak with them. Starting with Arius.”

“Why?” Eva leaned forward, curious.

“I am intrigued about the circumstances surrounding my sister’s death. But that is neither here nor there as far as you are concerned.” It was apparent that Zin was losing his patience. “So now, tell me, where does Arius reside?”

“Are you going to see her?” Eva asked. She wondered what the Halcyonus would think of another like Arius floating into their village.

“I’ve not exited these secure grounds since we settled here,” Zin replied. “But I feel it is time. I need to see my sister.”

“She told me my future, you know,” Eva said, looking down at the mark in her skin.

“Did she?” Zin chuckled. “Can you recall any of her ramblings?”