Page 40 of Made For The Alien Warrior

Adhi linked their arms. “I’m so glad you found us, Symphony. I was going out of my mind with worry on those cliffs.”

“Is that why you were calling to me?”

“Calling you?” She scrunched her nose as they walked back to the caves. “I didn’t call you.”

Her steps slowed, but Adhi kept walking. Her hand pulled away from Adhi’s and dropped limply to her side.

Symphony stared at her. “Haven’t you heard voices too?”

“No.” Adhi peered at her as if she was crazy. “Why would I hear voices?”

“But you called me. I know you did.”

Adhi pulled her lips in. “I… I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“There you are,” Kia said, bouncing up to them. Her dark hair streamed behind her. Pale cheeks flushing, she latched on to Symphony’s hand. “Tiegan is getting impatient. He really wants to talk to you.”

“Not right now,” Symphony mumbled.

Kia peered closer at her. “Are you okay? You look… shaken.”

“I’m just trying to figure something out.”

“What thing?”

“I don’t even know.” Symphony threw her hand up. “None of this—the fact that I’m here, that she’s here,” she nodded at Adhi, “it all makes zero sense.”

“Don’t worry. Pin and the others will figure this out.”

“Where are they?” Adhi asked.

“In the war room. Are you ready to see them?”

“I am.” Adhi gave her an inquisitive look. “Does your offer still stand, Symphony?”

She blew out a breath. “Of course. Let’s go.”

Kia waved. “We’ll make dinner so you can have something to eat when you come out, Adhi. Emma’samazingin the kitchen.” She smiled. “And don’t worry about your friend. The Healer and Rune will find a way to help her.”

“Thank you.”

Symphony led Adhi to the war room. She sensed the other woman’s nerves and calmed her with a squeeze of the hand. It was new to be the one offering comfort. She was having so many new experiences on this planet. Her first time being someone’s strength. Her first kiss. Her first… love triangle?

She shook that thought off and marched into the war room with her head held high. There were holograms covering most of the walls. A table surrounded by tall tree stumps were the only furnishings.

Her eyes, as if drawn by a magnet, sought out Tiegan. He was standing on the opposite end of the room, his jaw clenched and his arms folded over his muscular chest.

Symphony avoided his gaze and spoke to Korben, “We’re here.”

“Sim-pony,” Korben said in a gentle voice, “we wish to speak only with Adhi.”

Adhi’s hand tightened around Symphony’s wrist.

She lifted her chin. “Adhi asked me to stay.”

Zar, a tough-looking Plutonian with a scar over his eyebrow nub, spoke up. “We only ask this to check whether your stories corroborate.”

“We aren’t going to lie,” Symphony argued.