{Cinder}

Ross brushed the knots out of Bethany’s hair and kissed her sister’s cheek. Kyle sat across from them, looking almost as lost. They sat in not exactly comfortable but certainly familial silence.

Beside them, the cuffed woman taught Pax how to sing and hit different notes.

It was a strange day.

“Was she…?” The abruptness of Kyle’s words startled Ross. He wet his lips as if trying to find the right words. “I mean, is there any way to know what all she endured?”

Oh. “Dr. Suarez examined her thoroughly. Her nacre was warrior grade, so her healing was accelerated. He said there was no way to know for certain, but there was no evidence of that kind of trauma. Plus Razor said—”

“I don’t give a fuck what that monster said. I wouldn’t believe a word of it.” Volatile and venomous. A terrible mood to have around Bethany right now.

Frowning at her older brother, Ross snapped. “Well then, maybe you’d trust Matt. Because he said in the month he was there, he received no orders for those engagements with her. And he investigated her history up to last year, trying to learn her identity. I don’t know why I’m here reassuring you when—”

Kyle gently took her clenched fists in his hands. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”

“It’s like I couldn’t find her fast enough for you. Or provide enough proof they didn’t abuse her that way. And I don’t think it’s fair to ask me that. Or discuss it in front of her.” The tears. They burned. Ross was sick of crying.

Kyle shifted his position to where he sat between the girls. He put his arm around Ross and tucked her into his side. Timidly, he brushed his fingers through Bethany’s hair. “You went above and beyond to find her. You were so brave. I’ve never been prouder to call you my sister. And this is the only time in your life you’ll hear this from your older brother, but you’re right. I shouldn’t have asked. Especially not in front of her.”

Ross sniffled. “I worry about how to move forward.”

People milled around them, packing and prepping things for the move. The flurry of activity seemed to send Bethany retreating further into herself. She needed stability to adjust. All the excitement and apprehension seeped into their bones.

Kyle kissed both girls on the temples. “You’re right to, but first let’s get to this super-sized safe house. I can’t believe we’ll all be hiding under one roof.”

Iuo stood over them. “I’m sorry to interrupt. Ross, can I borrow you? You’re more familiar with Reipon hospitality technology.”

Right. From her time at his villa. “Of course. Kyle, how long before you go back to Silence?”

Her brother blushed to his ears, as was proper. How dare he rank them second in his priorities to getting laid? Stumbling over his answer, Kyle assured, “I’ll stay with Bethany until you get back.”

“Thank you.” Ross dusted off the back of the cut-off shorts she borrowed from Para’s guard stash. She prayed their missing friends were found quickly. “I’m ready, Iuo.”

Lucy appeared at his side and asked in the most innocent voice, “Do you film porn at this location, too?”

The Lamia gawked, mortified.

Bones pointed and said with a hearty laugh, “That’s where I recognized you from!”

Matt and Puk joined the group. The drone added, “Quality film work. I can’t wait to join the team.”

Twenty-One nudged Bones, careful with the load of crap in his massive arms. “Where can I find these films?”

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Everyone carried cases, bags, and trunks. Stuffed to the brim until they resorted to peeking over the tops of their stacks.

Sagan and Korac entered the group. Her looking fresh despite her bruises. Him looking like a bad decision, but a hell of a night.

Ross blushed at her own thoughts and kept her eyes ducked low. Across the way, Jack waved to her. Unable to raise her hands for all the stuff, she beamed for the young King who crushed on her. Ross told him once that while her sister was missing, she couldn’t find space in her head for romantic thoughts or feelings. But with her sister back, the relief released the floodgates. All for a certain fair-featured and very taken Icarus.

Damn, her face burned.

Xelan, Tameka, and Pax joined the away-team. The toddler delighted in twisting strands of his daddy’s hair together. Tameka gazed up at him with the most beatific smile.

It was a good day.

Tumu walked up to the group last alongside Legir and Ross’ ancestor, Devis. A detached man, like Kyle, he seemed more concerned with how current circumstances impacted him. But she heard good things from Lynn about how he saved their asses and fought well at the arsenal. Ross trusted her opinion on good soldiers.

With ease, Sagan opened a conduit, and they filed through it. Before Ross stepped into it, she overheard Xelan say to the Seamswalker. “Have I already said how amazed I am with your ability and control?”

Before he died, Ross only knew him secondhand from Kyle. Now she understood all of his bitterness toward the Icarus. How could a teenage boy compete with someone like Xelan for the center of attention?

Through the conduit, she glimpsed that once monochromatic world now doused in purple. It made Ross smile as she stepped into paradise. The sleek amber glass and black rock villa dwarfed the colony in Enki. Accompanied by terrace gardens, infinity pools, and a view of Reipon’s capital oasis. She recognized the planet’s most prestigious city from her time in Iuo’s place. Xelan’s house overshadowed the Lamia’s estate by several stories and a few vistas.

“Absolutely breathtaking.”

Iuo admired it with her before sharing, “The Prince of Cinder was always big on glass and sweeping views. I’ll help you find a place for that stuff, and then you can help me turn on the power and water supplies. They’re self-contained. Do you know what that means?”

Yes, she knew from reading Xelan’s diaries. “They leave no utility trace.”

“Brilliant, sidekick. Let’s go.” They passed Legir helping Twenty-One, grinding the Lamia to a halt. “One second, Ross.” With a heavy case in hand, he tapped the leader of Yu and took him aside.

She tagged along, feeling like a welcome eavesdropper.

Iuo closed his eyes and took a deep breath before confessing, “I bought them, Legir.” He set the case on a granite countertop and opened it for the Yu leader. Thirteen amber glass plates laid within.

Ross wasn’t sure of their significance, but the ancient planetary leader leaked from the holes in his face. He pulled the Lamia in for a hug.

An elegant voice interrupted the warm moment. “If only you’d believe me when I tell you we never meant them any harm. But you won’t. And I understand.”

Korac.

The Icarus who made Ross’ heart skip leaned against the kitchen archway. Sagan appeared behind him, confused. He took her hand and muttered something that hurt and shocked her. Her eyes pleaded at him. But Korac shook his head and approached the triangular alien. “Legir of Yu, in accordance to the Tenements of Vengeance, I surrender my neck to you for the deaths of your sons.”

Korac went to one knee.

No. No, everything was working out for them. Why would he do this? Ross went to Sagan’s side and chafed her arm, consoling her in murmurs. Sagan gazed at the other men with her heart open to them.

It was hard to determine Legir’s response. His face hardly formed expressions, and his filmy eyes rolled freely in his head. After a block of silence, he touched Korac’s shoulder. The Icarus gazed up at him. In that unusual, monotonous voice, the Yu leader commanded, “General to the King, you followed your orders. I do not hold you responsible. I only ask that you recount your deeds as a caution for those who follow blindly.”

Korac bowed deeply. “I will. Thank you. Your wisdom matches your grace.”

Sagan rushed to him and chided him for offering his life after everything they went through.

With that out of the way, the Lamia and Ross returned to work. Half an hour later, people milled in and out of the conduit with supplies and plenty of gratitudes to share.

Ross and Iuo spent most of the time in the utility bunker. They got the water going first. All the pools, fountains, and waterfalls filled quickly and drained into the self-filtering system. But the two struggled with the power. With the sun setting, it needed a jump, or they’d finish moving in amid total darkness.

Tameka appeared in the doorway. “I heard you need some help with the power.”

Iuo’s black and blue eyes widened. “I think you’re a tad overkill, but I won’t say no to it.”

“I need a source. Do you know if your suns have nacres?”

This time Ross’ eyes widened. “Are you serious?”

The redhead blinked, and that brilliant green swallowed her eyes. “Yes. They do.” She touched the containment system, and the bunker’s lights powered on. Everything flared and illuminated. She gripped both Iuo and Ross by the shoulder. “Have some on me.”

They grinned at one another. Ross wasn’t tired anymore. No. She was powered by a star and felt its flames boiling in her blood. Energized, she set about moving everyone into this house by dawn.

“Feel free to juice me up anytime, Tameka.”