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“I could never walk freely on the planet” I shake my head “I spent most of my time in a lab or sometimes in a small outdoor barred yard with the other humans for a little exercise”

He looks pained, so I add, “But that’s behind me now”

“Yes” He looks away “We need to be careful Seke sent, —ah, I looked up all the information I could find on Dentron” He clears his throat “Like you mentioned, the locals are not advanced—they’re feral and kill strangers on sight They use poisoned arrows that can travel over half a mile But I’ve found a field far from their listed habitations Hopefully it has the flowers”

“Okay” I’ht begin to wind across the alien sky, fingers of cerulean and pink against the inky black Without warning, several suns radiate light, as if turned on by an invisible giant

“Oh!” I gasp “It’s beautiful—I’ve never seen anything like it”

“You’re going to love Zandia” His face breaks out into a s very distant “We have gorgeous sunsets And there’s a waterfall with a crystal grotto When the lights shine, it’s just…” he shakes his head, seely at a loss for words “The crystals are powerful and healing—at least to my species But I think certain humans also find them so”

“I’d like to see a waterfall”

“You will”

“Beings can just go there, to see it? Do you need per to understand

“It’s open to all Zandians”

“Could I go with you? Will you take me there e arrive? I would love to see it”

His sht now let’s focus on thefrom a cabinet Rips open a packet

My senses are on high alert as I scent the tang of medicinal alcohol, the refined blend that is used to ensure hunize rowl and stand in attack

“What are you doing?” My voice is fierce even as adrenaline makes me sick with anxiety “What’s in your hand?”

The thing, long and sliht I back up