“If by someone you mean Sareth, then yes, we agree,” says an out of breath Sayer. “Where do you want these?” he asks me.
I point in front of the desk. “If you can set them up in rows right there, that would be great, but I can do it myself if it’s too much work.”
He brushes me off and two of them make quick work of unloading. Grace and I chat about the books I’ve found on the tablet so far. Her inquisitive, nimble mind intrigues me. I knew she is a scientist by training, and I can’t wait to pick her brain more.
“What will you do with all the space?” she asks.
“One day, I’d like to print these books and have them fill the shelves like a traditional library. Tablets are wonderful for storage and awfully convenient, but nothing compares to the weight and feel of a real book in your hands.”
“I never would have thought of that. I don’t think I’ve ever even held one. On Earth II, they never would have approved of the expense.”
“I understand. The library where I used to work was one of three on the entire station. It had copies of some of the rarest books they brought with them before they left the original Earth.”
“I’ve never been to one of them. I was always so busy studying. It must have been heaven to be surrounded by all that history all day long.” I don’t miss the curious glint in her eyes. She’s wondering what I did to end up on the shuttle heading toward the prison because only a criminal would have earned such a spot.
“It was. Being a librarian there was all I ever wanted.”
She pauses as though waiting for me to continue, but I’m not ready. Not quite yet. Besides, I’d feel…wrong not telling Oz what had happened to me first. There’s a connection there I can’t quite explain, a loyalty that would demand he be the first to know.
“That I can understand. I felt the same way about being a scientist.” She turns and gestures to the boys, who move at her very command. They share a smoldering look that brings heat to my cheeks at merely being in their proximity. I don’t know how they make it work, but somehow I can tell that it does. They’re like three pieces of the same heart. “I can’t wait to see what you do with the place.” She pauses by the door, giving me an intense look I can’t quite read. “I think you’re going to fit right in here. I’m glad you’re here.”
“Thank you,” I tell her.
She nods and turns. I just hope when I do tell her the truth, she doesn’t think less of me.
6
Ozias
Ten Solars Left
I need to clear my rekking nog. I broke the lens and nearly went mad with rage. It was a small variance in my calculations that resulted in too much heat, thus breaking my main piece. Before I could destroy my lab, Jareth pushed me out, told me to take a walk, and promised he and Sayer would get more haxagranules to make another lens.
Fatigue gnaws at my conscience and my eyes water. I crave to crawl into my bed and sleep for many solars straight, but I can’t. Not until I build this mortarekking thermablaster and blow those Kevins right out of the sky.
Rather than heading to my room for some much needed sleep, I explore the facility until I locate her.
Mine.
Quinn.
My mate.
She’s in the Navigation Bay, having commandeered a space for her own. In just a short time, she’s transformed it into something lovely and useful. Pride surges through me knowing that, unlike the other females, my mate hasn’t put up a fight. It’s as though she loves it here. Like she knows she belongs with us.
I lean against the frame of the door, watching her as she works. Her hair is messy and barely held together by her tablet stylus. Legolas has spun up a web and is sitting happily in the middle watching Quinn with its many eyes. She’s humming something beautiful as she scrolls through the tablet.
“Seems I’m not the only one who gets caught up in work and forgets to eat,” I say, making her jolt.
She turns, her dark curls bouncing, and grins at me. Rekk, her glasses make her blue eyes bigger, and she’s so cute.
“Hey,” she chirps as she sets down the tablet. “Like my new digs?”
I saunter over to her and take her hands in mine. “You’ve really made it look nice. I can’t wait to see what all you’ve done.” I sigh heavily. “Later.”
She lifts our conjoined hands and inspects mine. “Oh, Oz, you’re bleeding.”
“Just a cut.”
“It’s gaping. You’re dripping blood all over my library.”
I glance down at the gash. Great. “Avrell’s not here.”