“Well, nothing’s broken,” Aleena muttered as she turned and placed her medical scanner back into its case.

Sarhea’s breath caught in her throat as she attempted to roll her sleeve back down over the raw and painful bruise, which was bad enough that it could be seen even through the fur on her shoulder. She finally let the breath hiss through clenched teeth as the pain slowly subsided.

“You know, you could save yourself the constant pain and trouble if you’d just tell Raith it was you out there. He’d probably stick you on that special little team of his straight away. Then you wouldn’t have to sneak around injured all the time,” Aleena grumbled absently as she carried her equipment over to her dining table and disappeared into her kitchen.

Sarhea sighed heavily as she lowered herself to the Kalatian’s rather lumpy brown sofa. Showing up on Aleena’s doorstep injured had become a regular habit these days. She hated imposing on her friend like this, but if she didn’t, Aleena would lecture her the next time she saw her. Her friend had developed a sixth sense to know when the team had been out and kept a stocked shelf of medical supplies for when she eventually turned up.

“You know I can’t do that. I’ve screwed up enough already just letting my presence out there be known. Half that stubborn fool’s troubles come from trying to find me.”

Aleena’s head appeared from around the corner. Her brows were knitted in a fierce scowl.

“Exactly. If you hadn’t left the city in the first place, all of this could have been avoided,” she spat.

Sarhea’s eyes widened as her mouth opened to fire back, but then she stopped herself; Aleena was right. Her ears swiveled back as she glanced away with a huff.

A sigh sounded from across the room before quiet footsteps slowly approached. Aleena sat on the sofa next to her.

“I’m sorry. That was a bit uncalled for. If it wasn’t for you, there’s no telling where Raith and his team would be. You are right about his stubbornness; he’s always had a knack for getting himself into dangerous situations. Your interference has not changed that. But seriously, sooner or later you are going to have to reveal yourself.”

“I can’t,” she whispered, keeping her eyes diverted.

“Why? I’m not saying you have to tell the whole city-just Raith.”

“I can’t tell anyone. I shouldn’t have told you. Bad…bad things happen to those who know…”

“Come on, Sarhea. Not this again. I don’t see how you can think you are bad luck when all you’ve ever done is save lives. Bad- now that will happen if Raith has to find out about you on his own. You’ve been lying to him. I can see where you’re coming from and can look past it, but Raith…He has a serious thing about lying. I did it once and I still think he’s not forgiven me for it. It doesn’t matter how honorable your intentions are, you lie to him and you’re forever marked.”

Sarhea furrowed a brow as she considered Aleena’s words. Yes, she could definitely see that about Raith. Her face eventually scrunched in a frustrated scowl as she closed her eyes and shook her head.

“He won’t find out. This thing…this curse…that plagues me will not let that happen. Besides, Raith is looking for some unknown new species.”

Aleena simply sighed and gazed out across her small apartment.

“I sure hope you’re right,” she mumbled absently.

There was a hint of worry in Aleena’s voice that Sarhea couldn’t ignore. She was trying to ignore the same worry in herself. Her friend would never say it outright, but Sarhea’s lies had put her in a bad place as well. If Raith discovered her deception, both of them would take the fall. But Raith would not find out…

Sarhea sighed quietly as she slowly stood. Pain flared down her entire right side, causing her stifle a yelp.

“Are you going to be alright?” Aleena called from her seat.

Sarhea’s eyes opened again as the pain eased. “Yeah, I’ll be fine. I’ll be healed up in no time. Thank you, Aleena. I don’t know what I’d do…”

Aleena stood and quickly embraced her. “It’s the least I can do for you, my friend. Now, please go rest, heal, and…stay out of trouble?”

Sarhea winced as she pulled from the embrace and forced a grin. “I’ll try my best, Doc.”

Aleena simply chuckled as they headed for the door. Sarhea lifted her cloak off a hook next the exit and gingerly pulled it.

“Sarhea,” Aleena called as she started out the doorway Aleena opened for her.

Sarhea paused and looked back.

“Please consider what I said,” her friend called behind her with a hint of pleading tone.

Sarhea simply nodded as she pulled her hood up and started down the corridor.

She did not know how long she meandered through the corridors before the pain began to be too much and she had to seek out the nearest vent entrance. Once in the quiet of her tunnels, she slid to the floor and tried to call upon her healing reserves. She’d been lying to Aleena when she’d said she’d be healed in no time. Healing her injuries was taking longer and longer these days. Ever since she’d done what she had for Lyle, she’d noticed a weakening of her energy’s healing effects. She should not have given those recent offerings to Raith and his team…But she hadn’t wanted to see them in pain…A weak blue-violet flame feebly flickered on her fingers as she reached over to her bruised shoulder. The attempt brought only a slight easing of the pain.

She sighed as she leaned back against the cold stone wall. If she kept this up, she’d have nothing left, then what good would she be to anyone? She’d stop being a threat to them…Sarhea shook the thought away. No, it was too late for that; her promise had bound her to that foolish Leonian and his reckless ways…

Her thoughts drifted her recent encounter. The nighttime hunts were becoming more dangerous. Something was changing; the drones were changing their tactics. She still could not figure out where that drone had come from last night. It was as if it appeared out of thin air. She’d already previously had a feeling that the drones knew they were being hunted and couldn’t shake the growing worry that they were slowly turning the tables…She needed to go out, scout the area and figure out what was happening, but she couldn’t do that as long as Raith continued to go out as well. She should have never made that promise…

Finny’s little face formed in her thoughts and cut through her rising frustrations. It had been a while since she’d seen the boy or even gone to listen to them play. The sounds of their joyful laughter would do wonders for her about now. She slowly pushed herself to stand and headed down the tunnels.

When she arrived at the vent over the storage room, everything was quiet. She slowly dropped down to the shelf and carefully moved to a better vantage point. Her breathing was shallow as she strained to pick up on sounds that alerted her of the children’s presence. There was nothing. She sighed quietly as she lowered herself to her stomach atop the boxes and laid her head on her arms. She allowed herself to recall the memories of the laughter as it echoed around the large room.

A slight clatter sounded from the front of the room. Sarhea’s head shot up, her ears perked and her energy flared, as she searched for any signs that someone was in there. No other sounds were heard. When she felt confident the coast was clear, she laid her head back down and continued to think. Minutes later, another clatter was heard, this time closer.

Sarhea turned over and drew her cloak tightly around her. She allowed the energy to connect with her, energizing her gaze, and searched for any signs of life. Her guides swirled about lazily before settling absently on the shelf she’d fallen from that day so long ago. She quietly began to make her way over to investigate. The aisle below had been cleared of dislodged debris, but a gap still remained on the upper shelf.

Sarhea thought she saw movement below from the corner of her eye. She crouched as she pulled the hood up over her head and searched the energy’s leading. It was still unreactive and gave her no warnings of danger. She slowly climbed down the side of the shelf unit and to the shadows below. She cringed in pain as she made it to the ground. When the pain subsided, she cautiously moved through the shadows to where she thought she’d seen movement.

“Hi!” came a shrill little voice from behind her.

A startled yelp escaped from her as she lurched away from the sound, slipping on the freshly cleaned floor in the process. She fell hard to her rump right out in the middle of the brightly lit cross aisle. Wide hazel eyes peered out at her from the lower level shelf directly across from her.

“Finny?” she finally exclaimed in a hushed tone.

“I know you! You are nice lady with special eyes…Sarhea!” the boy exclaimed as he crawled out from amongst the shelf’s contents.

Panic flooded over her as she instinctively tried to duck deeper into the safety of the cloak, but she’d forgotten to pull up the face shield and the bright light drove away her concealing shadows. She’d just claimed Raith would never discover her. How could she trust herself when she couldn’t even prevent a child from discovering her secret?

“No hide. You safe. The others not here,” the boy said as worry entered his eyes.

Sarhea hesitated and cast a quick glance in both directions. Sure enough, she didn’t hear anything else and her guides were still unreactive. Finny slowly walked over and sat beside her.

“Finny, what are you doing here? Where are your siblings?”

The boy shrugged. “I wanted to see you, only didn’t know cool lady with glowing eyes was you. Even better!”

His precious little grin melted away her apprehension. She slowly put her arm around him and pulled him close.

“I’ve missed seeing you play, hearing you laugh, too. But you can’t keep wandering off. Your family will be very worried.”

“I’ll find them. You can help-like last time!”

She could already see this was going to be trouble, but she was helpless to resist him. She sighed quietly.

“Finny, I will help, but you will have to keep this secret. Your family, Raith, they cannot ever know that it is me that they saw that day when I fell. You must never tell.”

Sarhea hated dragging the boy into her web of lies, but what else could she do?

Finny held his finger to his mouth and said “Shhh.” He grinned widely. “I keep secret. No worry.”

“Promise?”

His grinned widened. “I promise. Like you promised to keep Rafe safe.”

Sarhea sighed quietly. “Yes, like that promise.”

Silence fell as she held him close and tried to figure out what to do about him. She knew the others would be worried sick and looking for him. Then there was the part of her that just wanted to shrink into the shadows and hold him forever. Sarhea shook her head. She had to stop letting herself think that way; it was not healthy.

“How does your hands do that?” came a curious little voice.

Sarhea looked down to see Finny staring at her hand in wonder. Wisps of violet haze rose off her fingers. She held it up before her. Before she could stop him, Finny crawled into her lap and grabbed her hand. He burst into a quiet fit of giggles.

“That tickles!” he laughed, his wide eyes looking up at her. “What is that?”

She couldn’t help but smile. She felt her energy flow into him and every time that he laughed, it seemed to flow back through their connection. The energy that flowed back to her through his hand felt different…stronger…

She felt the sudden need to tap her reserves. Natural vision faded as the energy took over. Finny’s form was replaced by glowing lines of bluish white and the strong, similarly colored flame of his soul flared within him. With every little chuckle, a pulse of it flowed through his little body, combined with her violet energy at their connected hands where it strengthened, then was pushed back into her. She released her hold on her reserves and stared down at the child with wide eyes. What was happening to her now?

“It is my energy,” she finally whispered, answering his previous question.

Finny raised a brow. “Energy?”

His confusion suddenly melted away. “Like the energy Rafe talks about?”

He suddenly sucked in a sharp breath, his eyes growing wide and excited. “Are you a Guardian?”

Sarhea smiled warmly down at his adorable little face.

“No, I am not a guardian.”

Finny’s face scrunched into a concentrated pout.

“But I have known guardians,” she continued.

The boy brightened. “Really?”

“Yes. My mother…my mother is a guardian, so is my father. They have given me this energy. They gave it so it could help me and so I could use it to help others.”

How she wished this was true. It had been a long time since she’d allowed herself to think this, and it brought about a sense of peace…False peace, she reminded herself.

“Cool…” he exclaimed, the word drawn out for an extended breath before he hesitated and glanced up at her with questioning eyes.

“Your mommy and daddy gone…like mine?”

Sorrow stabbed at her heart as she gazed back at him. “Yes, but they have been gone for a very long time. I was very little, like you, when they left. But they are always with me…with me in the energy.”

“Maybe mine too?” He grew quiet for a moment. “I don’t remember my mommy and daddy. I only remember Bubby and Sissy…Layla and Makar…Rafe,” he mumbled as he concentrated.

Finny did not cry nor did she sense any overwhelming sorrow from him. He’d been much too young to remember what happened. Perhaps it was for the best. She wanted to cry for him as she pulled him into a protective hug.

“Yes, maybe they are with my parents, watching over you and your family.”

He smiled up at her as he snuggled into the folds of her cloak. A strong, healing warmth began to encircle them. Sarhea knew it had to be originating from Finny. It went deeper than the physical; it found its way deep into her wounded past. She vaguely recalled Raith claiming that Finny was special. There was so much more to that statement than the good commander realized. She didn’t understand how it was possible, but she quit trying to analyze it. She continued to hold the boy in silence and let his energy heal her soul.

The pair of them had almost drifted off to sleep when the sudden sound of an opening door jolted Sarhea back to reality.

“Finny! Finny, are you in here?” came Sealee’s voice.

Finny’s head shot up quickly before he suddenly ducked back down.

“Hide!” he whispered.

Sarhea scowled as she tried to shove the panic aside. “Finny, you must go to them. They are worried!”

“Don’t want to yet. Hide, or they find us!”

He slid out of her lap as she rose to a crouch and pulled up the cloak’s face shield. Finny’s pleading eyes begged her to hide him.

“Oh, you little rascal! Come on,” she whispered and quickly glanced about. “You are going to get me into trouble,” she grumbled.

He only grinned and latched onto the arm she offered to him. She pulled him up onto her hip as she silently retreated back into the shadows. She soon caught sight of Sealee’s worried face.

“Finny! Finny, where are you!” she called.

Sarhea cringed. She couldn’t decipher the energy’s leading and was torn on what to do.

“Hide,” Finny whispered again as Sealee started into the darker areas toward them.

There was nowhere to go, nowhere to hide…nowhere but up. Sarhea hesitated. Did she dare reveal her secrets to this special little boy? He already knew her most important secret…

“Can you keep a really big secret?” she whispered.

He nodded silently. Without further word, she quickly lifted him and swung him over onto her back. She ignored the pain in her right side.

“Hold on very tight,” she whispered.

His little arms wrapped around her neck as Sarhea moved to the shelf that sat under her vent opening. She quickly climbed the unit, making it to the top just as Sealee appeared around the back side of the neighboring unit. They ducked down into the top row boxes.

“Finny!” she called again.

“Sealee! Is he in there?” came Braunt’s voice from the front.

“I don’t think so!” she called and headed back towards his voice.

Soon, silence had fallen once more. Sarhea cautiously lifted herself and moved to the boxes under the vent opening. She guided Finny off her back.

“Ok, I’m about to lift you into that hole up there. When you have the chance, climb up into the tunnel onto flat ground. Ok?”

“That hole?” he pointed.

“Yes. Can you do it?”

“Yes,” he confirmed with a determined grin.

Sarhea carefully lifted him under his arms and poked his curious little head up into the vent opening. She soon felt him start to pull himself up. She helped by lifting under his feet until his weight disappeared. Then she climbed in after him.

Finny’s eyes were wide with wonder as he sat in the meager light and looked all around. “Where are we?”

“A secret place,” she replied and scooted over next to him.

“I like it. Your secrets are cool,” he replied with a grin.

“Finny, why are you hiding from your family?”

His excitement faded into a scowl.

“They are being mean. Won’t let me play and won’t play with me. I bored. All things I do to have fun, they yell at me.”

His angry pouty face was almost more adorable than his grins. Sarhea smiled and put an arm around him.

“What happened to them being the best gift?”

He huffed. “They are sometimes. Not now. You best gift now.”

She chuckled lightly. She’d never had siblings or friends her age growing up, so she didn’t quite know how to relate. Observing others wasn’t quite the same. But she did know he cared for his family.

“I will play with you for a little bit. But then you will have to go back. If you stay away too long, then there could be real trouble. What if Raith sends soldiers to look for you?”

Finny’s eyes widened. “Happened before. I got in big trouble.” He paused. “Ok. Play a little then I go home,” he conceded with a pout.

“Alright, let’s go,” she said.

---

“Alright Finny. It’s time to go home,” Sarhea said to the little boy as they stood outside the Temple of Light.

She had no idea how much time had passed while she had taken him to all her favorite places. They had chatted endlessly and shared lots of laughter. It had been a surprise when they ended up outside the Temple. She still was not comfortable with the place, but the boy had wanted to go in. After a short visit about Guardians and energy, she had led him out. She could no longer ignore the prodding she felt to get him home.

“Already? But we were having fun,” he pouted.

“I know, but remember what I said about following the energy? Well right now it is telling me to take you home. It is very important to listen to it or we might find that trouble I mentioned earlier.”

“Ok,” he said with a sigh.

“Who do you want to find? Sissy? Bubby?”

Finny was silent for a moment then shook his head.

“They will be mad at me. Probably yell. Better to find Rafe. He never yells.”

Sarhea hesitated.

“Alright, I can try to find him, but he might yell at me,” she replied.

The response earned her a questioning gaze.

“He likes you, so he doesn’t yell. I am not his favorite person,” she added.

“I no let him yell at you. We had fun,” the boy replied in determination.

“Yes, but he can’t know that. He would yell at us both if he knew we played instead of getting you back to your family.”

He seemed to understand what she meant.

“Ok. Our secret.”

Guilt flooded through her as she realized she was leading him to keep secrets. Sarhea took his hand and sought her guide’s direction.

“That way,” Finny said, pointing to the right.

Her eyes widened. She had just been shown to take the path to the right. Finny seemed to be quite in tune and sensitive to the energy around him.

“Yes, that is the way,” she confirmed as she led him down the corridor.

Nearly thirty minutes had passed before Sarhea felt they were nearing their destination. They were now on what she had come to consider the main level. She figured it to be well after lunch, and for a normally quiet time period, there was quite a bit of activity. There were definitely more guards and soldiers about, and they appeared to be searching. Sarhea cringed.

“I think they are looking for you. We have to make sure that only Raith finds us. Help me keep a watch for him,” she whispered.

It was not long before her guides darted off around the corner, leaving her with a sharp sense of anticipation. Raith soon emerged from a corridor behind where they stood in the shadows. He stepped quickly into the intersection and was promptly bombarded with questions from several citizens. She could sense his urgent mood and could see the worry in his expression.

“He is very worried. This is my fault,” she whispered.

She felt Finny squeeze her hand. “My fault,” he countered quietly.

Sarhea forced a smile before it quickly faded. Raith was about to leave down the opposite corridor. She silently begged the guides to redirect his path. There were too many soldiers down the way he was heading, and she wanted to confront him alone. She had no desire to have an audience if he chose to get vocal with her.

Raith suddenly paused and cast a discerning glance back the way he had come. For a moment, he didn’t move, his brow furrowed in intense concentration. He took a few steps back their direction before pausing again. He suddenly turned and headed back toward the corridor he’d emerged from originally.

Sarhea cringed as he quickly passed by. She pulled Finny with her as she left the shadows and tried to step after him.

“Commander Raith!” she called.

Raith paused, his ears flattening slightly. The agitation and frustration in his gaze melted away the moment he spotted Finny at her side. He practically jogged over to them. Sarhea felt Finny shy back and nudge into her leg. She’d left her cloak in the tunnels, so there was nothing for him to hide in. She glanced down to see his large ears lying completely back.

“Finnick!” Raith exclaimed as he stopped just short of them.

Sarhea could sense his desire to fall to his knees and scoop the boy into his arms. She couldn’t understand why he wouldn’t. He would play with reckless abandon when he thought no one was watching, but was so reserved in public.

His green eyes were questioning as he cast a quick glance over to her.

“Rafe, don’t be mad,” Finny whispered.

Raith’s gaze fell to Finny again and he finally knelt.

“I’m trying not to. Your brother and sister are so worried. You have been gone for hours!”

He looked up at her again before standing.

“It seems you have another skill to add to the list. This is the second time you have found the wandering escape artist. Where was he this time?”

Sarhea had spent the last half hour trying to decide how she would respond to this very question. Aleena’s words had haunted her thoughts. She didn’t want to lie to him, not when he had finally stopped glaring at her all the time.

Before she could respond, a chorus of worried voiced arose from the corridor Raith had almost disappeared down. Soon, the four older Leonian children came into view. They spotted Raith before they saw her and Finny. When they suddenly spotted him, Sarhea felt the boy try to move in behind her. Raith threw her a curious glance.

“Finny! I see Finny!” Layla shouted as the group broke into a run towards them.

Finny’s grip on her hand tightened and she allowed a small measure of peace to transfer to him. Raith stepped into the children’s path before they overran her.

“Slow down, guys. Yes, Finny has been found. Before you make a scene, catch your breaths and relax a second,” he cautioned with raised hands.

The four hesitated and attempted to do as asked. Braunt gave her a questioning look.

“You again? Aren’t you the one who found Finny last time he got lost?”

“Yes,” she replied quietly while trying to guide the bashful boy back to her side.

“I…I don’t know what to say. We’ve been looking for him everywhere,” Braunt said between panting breaths.

“Naughty little trouble maker,” Makar mumbled.

Sealee quickly reached back and slapped the older boy on the shoulder.

“Hey!”

“Alright now. The search is over. It has been a long day and everyone’s tired. Take Finny and go back to your quarters. Since you missed lunch, I’ll have some food sent to you,” Raith interjected before the group got any testier with one another.

Braunt reached out to take Finny’s hand. The boy shied back slightly, his grip tightening on her hand.

“Come on Finny. Time to go home,” he called.

Finny looked up at her with pleading eyes.

“Time to go home, Finny,” she whispered and led him out away from her protection.

He pouted one last time before sighing and reaching for Braunt’s hand. His hazel eyes locked onto her again before Braunt’s tugging finally prodded him to follow. Sarhea watched as the group began to leave the area. Just before they were out of sight, she heard the bickering start once more. She sighed heavily before casting a weary glance over to Raith. He was also watching the children leave.

“Finny wanted me to take him to you so he wouldn’t have to deal with his siblings’ anger,” she finally said.

“Sometimes I don’t under him. Those families are so close, yet ever so often, he pulls a stunt like this and gets everyone so worked up,” Raith muttered absently.

Sarhea watched him as he continued to glaze down the corridor the children had disappeared down.

“They may be close, but they are still siblings. Finny told me he wanted to get away because they were not being nice to him.”

“What? How can that be?”

Raith’s gaze now locked onto her.

“The older children do not always have the patients to deal with his wants. It is only natural. They are growing up and have differing desires and needs. Finny felt left out, so he went to find his own fun.”

Raith arched a brow. “You seem to know a lot about children. Were you part of a large family?”

His sudden curiosity was unnerving. Sarhea hesitated, her ears swiveling back, as she considered how to respond.

“No, I had no siblings,” she responded carefully. “Though I observed families around me. No matter how close siblings are, they rarely get along all the time. As young as Finny is, it would be good if there were other children his age for him to play with.”

Raith sighed.

“We’ve tried to get him to go to child care where there are many his age. He will have nothing to do with the place. He is fearful of all the adults and hides from the other children. Do not take this the wrong way, but it baffles me how he so quickly latched on to you and he hardly even knows you.”

Sarhea glanced away as she stepped out into the intersection and tried to decide on the best route to take from the area. She didn’t want to spend too much time around him.

“Perhaps he senses a kindred spirit in me,” she replied absently as she inwardly sought direction.

“Kindred spirit? I find it hard to believe that a Cassarian woman would have anything in common with a Leonian toddler.”

The comment stopped her cold. She’d not thought about her words and now found herself having to explain. Her gaze turned back to him to see the questioning stare she knew she would find. She sighed quietly.

“We do have one thing in common. I know what it is like to be orphaned at a young age,” she finally replied quietly.

There was no response as the questioning glare faded from his eyes. Sarhea finally decided to take the corridor she knew would eventually lead her back to the observatory.

“I never did hear where you found him,” Raith said, changing the subject.

Sarhea sighed as she tried to decide how to answer.

“I found him outside some sort of storage room,” she finally replied. It was the best plausible answer she could derive that was not a complete lie.

“Really? We’ve had eyes on that area for more than an hour. The children like to play there. How long ago did you discover him?”

Sarhea’s eyes widened. Seemed she could not escape another predicament of words. It was quickly becoming difficult to stick to even half-truths, but she had to try.

“It…I’m not entirely sure,” she finally stammered.

She expected the now raised brow and demanding glare that was directed at her.

“We may have taken longer to find you than I had intended,” she replied carefully.

“Longer than you intended? What exactly does that mean? We…the children were worried sick!” he exclaimed in rising tones.

She quickly backed away and turned to face him. “I know I should have brought him straight away, and believe me, I intended to! But he kept talking and asking me questions and wanting to see this or that, do this or that…How could I say no to those big pleading eyes? He was already upset with his siblings and I couldn’t stand to see him so sad. I did my best to lead his curiosity in the direction I figured we’d find you.”

Raith was silent as he glared at her with a stern scowl. He finally sighed in frustration and stepped back.

“Finny can have that effect on you. Just…just next time, and knowing Finny there will be a next time, please contact someone, anyone, to let them know he is alright so we don’t needlessly divert our limited resources.” He began to turn away.

She nodded her understanding and was grateful that the situation had not turned into the familiar confrontation. A quiet idea tugged at the edges of her thoughts.

“Commander?”

Raith hesitated and turned back to her.

“If the children ever want time for themselves where they can play without having to watch a toddler, I would be more than happy to watch him for a bit.”

He seemed surprised by the offer.

“You would spend time with an overly curious little boy, just for the heck of it?”

She allowed a simple smile. “As you yourself once said, Finny is a very special little boy.”

Raith sighed quietly and lightly shook his head.

“I will keep the offer in mind for the next time I hear the older ones complaining. I suppose it has been happening more here recently,” he replied and paused, a critical shadow falling over his features. “Which reminds me. Your profile is somehow incomplete. You have no listed quarters or id code to contact you by. Why is that?”

Sarhea’s eyes widened at the sudden change of subject. An all too familiar defensive panic tried to rise within her and she struggled to keep it contained. His question had not been laced with the usual distaste, and he’d not demanded any other information, so she had to assume he at least partially bought her profile story.

“I…I’m sorry…I’ve not had a good opportunity to get it taken care of and it keeps slipping my mind. I’ll get the issue resolved as soon as possible. Aleena knows how to contact me,” she quickly replied, cringing as the familiar deception began creeping back into her words.

“Aleena. Another thing to keep in mind,” he finally muttered after eyeing her critically for several moments.

Sarhea was beginning to get nervous. Too much talking around Raith was starting to lead into areas she needed to keep him out of.

“I’m sorry I’ve taken so much of your time. I know you are busy,” she started and turned toward her previously chosen corridor.

“Sarhea, there is another thing I wish to speak to you about, since you are here.”

She inwardly cringed as she paused and turned back to him. “Yes?”

He moved in next to her, motioning for her to continue as she had been. There was an uneasy churning in her chest as she started walking down the corridor.

“You never responded to my previous offer to assist you in finding a place to contribute,” he started. “Have you settled on anything yet?”

“No,” she replied hesitantly.

“Hmm. Well, a situation has arisen recently which may have use for your particular skills.”

She paused and gave him a questioning glance. “Sir?”

“I may need your assistance with the Rigons, seeing as you are the only one besides Sarsan who has ever successfully communicated with their General Tsa.”

“Has there been more conflicts? I thought things had calmed down a little.”

He scowled at the floor. “No and yes, but I fear this is a calm before the storm. I cannot give details, but it may become necessary for you to mediate a confrontation with Tsa. I hope that it will not come to this, but given the nature of the situation, I fear it is inevitable. I’m sorry to be vague, but until it happens…”

She could sense his uncertainty as he gazed at her intently, waiting for a response.

“Can I count on you to help if the need arises?”

Sarhea hesitated. Getting involved in this was dangerous, but she was having a hard time ignoring his green eyes. Leonians could have such persuasive eyes when they wanted or needed something.

“I suppose I could help if the situation requires mediation. But sir, you will have to learn to deal with them on your own.”

He only huffed as his gaze lingered down the corridor. She turned to resume her trek toward the observatory.

“Look out!” Raith’s alarmed voice suddenly rang out.

Strong hands grabbed her by the shoulders and yanked her backwards toward the corridor wall. Pain shot through her bruised right side; she’d nearly forgotten about it. And by her obvious pained reaction, now Raith would know.

A group of rowdy kids came flying by on strange wheeled scooters.

“Hey you! Stop! You are not allowed to ride those things in here!” he yelled after them.

He yanked his sat-com from its place on his belt. “Naylan, those Tatlik boys are at it again! They’re heading your way! Make sure to confiscate those contraptions of theirs this time!” he barked into the device.

“Yes sir! We got them in sight!” came the reply.

He turned back to her, the anger still burning in his eyes. There was no way for her to down play the searing pain she felt as she tried to move into what little shadows there were in the corridor. Her mind frantically began scrambling for a logical response to the questions that would be coming.

“You are injured?” His critical gaze locked onto her arm.

“It’s nothing-just a bruise,” she quickly replied.

His hand came to rest on her uninjured shoulder as he guided her into better light. She flinched away with narrowed eyes when he lifted the edge of her sleeve.

“Just a bruise? That is one hell of a bruise!”

“It’s nothing. I had Aleena check it out and all is well. Just a bruise.” She immediately cringed when she realized she’d just dragged Aleena into her mess.

“How did it happen? I assume she made an incident report. That is no minor injury.”

“I…it…its embarrassing. I’d really rather not…”

Raith’s eyes narrowed as he took on an all too familiar countenance.

“There is no incident report, is there? I need to know what happened so one can be made.” His voice grew hard.

Sarhea scowled fiercely back at him but after several moments, he showed no sign of backing down.

“Fine! I…fell trying to conqueror Talen’s machine,” she lied.

She was met by a calculating, critical stare.

“That thing has been turned off for over a week.”

“That’s why it’s so embarrassing! I fell when it wasn’t moving!”

“Let me get this straight. You kick the crap out of half my scouting force, but fall from an unmoving machine?”

“We can’t always be flawless at everything. I was over confident given the circumstances and made a mistake. Now I’m paying for it. There is no incident report because I did not tell Aleena what happened. Rest assured-it will not happen again.”

He continued to glare at her in silence. She couldn’t place why, but she suddenly felt a rising sense of worry.

“Do not allow another injury to occur without a prompt report. If it happens again, I’ll revoke the access I have allowed you and Aleena to my facilities,” he growled and turned from her.

Without further word, he quickly headed back in the direction the troublemaking kids had gone.

Sarhea was left standing with mouth agape and a deep warning churned in her spirit. He’d allowed her access? Why had he done that? Why, if not to keep watch on her…That last look in his eyes added extra worry to the growing dread. She quickly continued down the corridor and away from the intersection. She would have to be extra careful from here on out. She couldn’t help but feel she’d reignited his suspicions…