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“Yes” My voice is uncertain That moment is fixed in my mind forever—the look on Danica’s face, almost like she knehat I wanted her to do Then the way she bent down in concentration, and the way Taxx froze More and

“Your training and your reflexes saved the situation” His voice is calm

I’ht, and I shakewas a mess”

He slapsto be a series ofisn’t for the weak, Gorde We will never be perfect But we need to do our best, and keepforward” He looks into my face “Do you understand? We make the best of e have, and we use all of our resources”

I nod, encouraged “I do Thank you, Master”

“Thank you Now get back out there and spend ti comes I promise you that there will be few, ahe first arrives”

I sht

“I will Thank you”

Benn

“Co, and I want you to see it before the sun sets”

“I just need a few things” She giggles at my eye roll; she likes it when I tease her

“If I knew humans were so slow…” I throw up my hands

“You’d have gotten down on the ground to beg me to show you how to properly savor each moment?” She raises an eyebrow and puts a fluid packet into her satchel “If I knew Zandians were so intent on racing around all the time…”

I snatch her up in lorious pale blonde hair, soft and fly-away, like rant, delicate—like her I speak into her neck “Savoring how long it takes to prepare your snacks? Veck, baby, do you need the entire cupboard?”

“And then soet these days” Before the visit to Dr Daneth, she was tense Afterwards, she eased up I think she’s getting acclimated to life here with us