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“But what if the baby told the ood creature?”

“They can’t do that” She squeezes my palm “Not until they’re far older Are you nervous, Danica? I pro” But when she looks at ain The way she doesn’t quite meet my eyes What does she knoas relieved that nobody coh, the truth will come out

“I know you will” I sip the water “I want to knoill happen So I can be prepared”

“Let’s go over it”

As she talks, showingup supplies, I nod and pay close attention to what I’ to need as a bare minimum to do this safely By myself Just in case it comes to that

Chapter 12

Gorde

“So Taxx still won’t say anything?” I blow out my breath and turn to Master Seke, the old warrior who trained every surviving Zandian after our planet was invaded He’s a father figure to us A mentor His face looks more lined than usual, and I wonder if the pressures of keeping Zandia guarded are getting to him

“He’s gone mute” Seke strides to theand looks out

“I still don’t understand why he wanted to take the ship, and Danica both” I frown “We had just saved his life and brought hi that’d he’d coh crime to immediately leave?”

Seke frowns “My best guess is blackmail”

“How?” I glance over at him

“I think he was being compelled to do it But for what reason?” He crosses his arms

“Why can’t he just tell us?” My voice is sharp

“Beings are rarely logical, even Zandians” The Master at Arm’s voice is dry “Upfront communication could solve so many problems”