Eva set the Omnipod down. “Isn’t your home in that old Sanctuary where I . . . um, met you today?”

“That abandoned cave?” Rovender spit the rest of the husks out. “That was just shelter for the night. No, my home was quite far from here.”

Eva looked out into the night. She didn’t feel as vulnerable and scared as she had during the day. In the dark, things appeared closer. Cozy. More comfortable. And now she was no longer alone, just like in the picture on the WondLa. She thought of Muthr. “Do you have a family back home, Rovender?”

“A family?” He took a drink, swallowing audibly. “No family. Not anymore.” Rovender’s voice sounded distant. Lonely.

Eva sat quietly for a moment. She didn’t want to pry and upset him, or give reason for him to abandon her again. “I never had a family,” she said softly, watching Otto. “I always wanted one—but I never got one.”

“Then you are lucky, Eva Nine.” Rovender gathered his things and stood, pulling his rucksack back over his shoulders. “Come. It is time to go.”

CHAPTER 12: SAND-SNIPERS

We need to go that way.” Eva stood at the forest edge, pointing across the plain. She could no longer see the line of trees on the opposite side, for the crescent moon was now hiding behind thick clouds, soaking the world in blackness. However, the Omnipod softly illuminated her face, and Rovender’s, as it displayed a detailed map of the surrounding area. A blinking dot indicated where her Sanctuary was located.

The Omnipod drew an arrow on the map. “Walking at a leisurely pace,” it said, “you should arrive at your destination in approximately one hour and thirty-seven minutes.”

“If we can get to Muthr, she can help us find the others,” Eva said, tracing the holographic trail on the Omnipod with her finger.

“Us?” Rovender broke his gaze from the device. “I will lead you back to your home. From there I must bid you farewell, Eva Nine.”

“But we escaped together.” She looked up from the Omnipod. “I thought we were friends.”

“Indeed that was a bit of excitement this afternoon,” Rovender said, placing his hand on Eva’s shoulder. “And I am richer for our paths crossing, but my journey continues in a different direction from yours.”

“Is it because of Besteel?”

“No,” Rovender said. “But when we split up, he will no longer be able to track us as easily. Which is good for us all, Otto included.”

Eva studied his face as best she could in the pale glow of the Omnipod; however, like Muthr, he appeared stoic.

“Okay, then. Fine. Let’s go. I’m sure Muthr is waiting for me.” She started across the dark flat field of gravel and stone.

Rovender grabbed her arm. “No, no, no,” he said. “We cannot travel over this ground.” Otto clucked in approval.

Eva scoffed. “Why not? I ‘traveled’ all over it today.”