Chapter 3

"Someone heard me," Tasa said, giddy at the thought. She'd reacted out of instinct and hadn't believed that anyone would hear her, much less try to help. But the murmured I'm coming in a male voice in her head proved otherwise. She knew that he was like her, too. And that was nothing short of a miracle.

"What? The whole wing probably heard you," Falda said as she stitched together a ripped sleeve. "These crew members are so clumsy, aren't they?"

"No, you don't understand," Tasa said. She tied a careful knot on the tunic she was repairing, then set it aside. "He heard me with his psi ability."

"I thought that was a myth among Aridians." Falda placed another garment in Tasa's waiting hands. "There are a few buttons missing. I've set some in a container right there." She pointed.

"Thank you," Tasa murmured as she plucked a button out of the container. "No, it's not myth, just very rare. Usually a Royal House ability." She focused on not stabbing herself as she worked her needle and thread through the buttonhole in the garment. "What is this, anyway? It feels like silk."

"I believe it's part of a ceremonial robe."

Tasa wrinkled her nose. She remembered the smells the so-called ceremonies made and the drunken festivities afterward. But this garment didn't smell like anything, and for that she was grateful. "He said he was coming."

"Are you sure it's not just wishful thinking?" Falda asked. "I hate to be a pessimist, but?—"

"I heard his voice in my head," Tasa said. "It's a voice I haven't heard before."

How do I find you? The male voice again, in her head.

She couldn't answer him. She wasn't a telepath. Her empathy gave her a very limited ability to hear things thought to her, but nothing else.

"He's confused," Tasa said. "I wonder…" She sent a tendril of psi energy out, searching for him. When it touched him, she felt the unmistakable taint of magic.

She shivered.

Was her savior one who used magic—one who was capable of horrible things?

"Tasa? What are you thinking about? You look like someone just tried to force-feed you those worms you don't like."

"No," Tasa said. "I'm trying to get a read on our savior. I think…he's a magic user." She sighed. "Just my luck! I have a savior, and he uses magic."

"I remember that vaguely," Falda said as she picked up another garment to mend. "We Karians don't have a problem with magic. Or psi, either. Why are you Aridians so against magic anyway?"

"Our ancestors were hit with magic in a war, and it did horrible things to many people. Using magic is wrong."

"Well, it's not like hundreds of people are lining up to save us." Falda's voice was bitter. "I doubt even ten people on this ship know we exist."

"I hope he respects my beliefs," Tasa said, and Falda gave her a sharp look. "What? I'm risking my soul here! Need I remind you of the Aridian afterlife?"

"You only go to paradise if you are free of taint. And magic will stain your soul. I know," Falda said with a sigh. "I'm sorry. Of course it's a big risk. But it's also a bigger risk to stay here. We may not get another opportunity. Ever." She attacked her garment like it was an enemy, and Tasa could feel how sad she was, thinking she'd be stuck here forever.

Tasa wasn't being a very good friend, was she? She touched Falda's hand. "I'm sorry. I understand. I want to leave, too." Her shoulders slumped. "I need to get over this."

"Maybe you're wrong about him," Falda said, her hand stilling on her garment.

"My senses are never wrong," Tasa scoffed. "I will try to keep an open mind about this savior of ours, all right? We will get out of here, one way or another."

"That's the spirit," Falda said with a smile.