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The door burst open, and Reina fluttered in wearing an acid-green column dress with feathers around the collar that was very nearly an assault on the eyes. Her blue hair was twisted impossibly high, and her bony gray hands were waving frantically in the air.

"They're safe!" she practically shrieked. "They're safe, they're safe!"

Noora stepped forward. "Who's safe, Reina? Slow down."

"Tivek and Morgan!" Reina brandished a small communications device. "I just got a vid call from my former colleague on the Island!"

My heart hammered against my ribs. "The tribute bride space station? They're there?"

Reina nodded so vigorously that I feared for the structural integrity of her neck. "Yes, yes! They're both fine! Well, a little banged up, according to Serge, but nothing serious."

Relief crashed through me with such force that I had to grip the back of a chair to steady myself. "Are you certain?"

"Absolutely positively certain!" Reina waved the device again. "Serge saw them himself! He says that the station captain should be contacting you directly, but he assures me they’re safe."

"Will you stop waving me around?" a high-pitched voice complained from the device. "You're making me dizzy!"

I looked at Noora, one eyebrow raised. "Is that the Gatazoid wedding planner?"

"I'd recognize Serge's voice anywhere," Noora confirmed, her lips twitching with suppressed amusement.

"Zoran!" The voice from the device was clearer now. “We found your missing people! One of our security patrols did, actually, but don't worry, they're resting comfortably now."

I straightened, my mind already shifting to action mode. "I need to contact the Island immediately and let the rest of the rescue team know."

Noora nodded, understanding in her eyes. "Go. Reina and I will catch up with Serge."

I paused just long enough to press a quick kiss to her forehead. "Thank you.”

Then I strode from the room, my steps lighter than they had been in days. Tivek and Morgan were alive. They were safe. That was what mattered. Why they hadn’t made the jump and how they'd ended up at the tribute bride station could wait.

For now, I would allow myself a moment of pure, unadulterated relief.

Chapter

Forty-Eight

Reina

Iclutched the tablet to my chest as I scurried down the long stone corridors of the academy, my heels clacking against the polished floor.

“For the love of the everything holy, will you stop bouncing me around like I'm a sack of potatoes?" Serge's aggrieved voice crackled from the tablet. "I'm getting motion sickness, and let me tell you, that is not a good look on a Gatazoid. Our skin turns the most unfortunate shade of chartreuse."

I giggled and held the tablet out in front of me. "Sorry! I'm just so excited that you found Tivek and Morgan!"

Serge's face filled the screen, his purple shock of hair starting to blaze pink at the roots. "Yes, well, I know Captain Kalex was going to contact Admiral Zoran anyway, but I just delivered them to their fantasy suites and had questions, darling.”

The main hall was nearly empty, with just a few straggling cadets rushing to class and barely sparing me a glance. The lightstreamed through the high windows, casting long beams across the floor and illuminating the dancing dust motes in the air.

"It was so good of you to call me right away," I said, starting up the sweeping staircase. "The Admiral was beside himself with worry, though you wouldn't know it to look at him. Drexians are just so stoic sometimes! But Noora said he hadn't left his office for two whole rotations! Can you imagine?"

"I can't even imagine staying in one place for twohours," Serge drawled. "Though these days I'd kill for a little me-time. I swear, these new tributes are needier than a newborn Fliznot during feeding time."

I reached the top of the stairs, slightly out of breath from chattering and climbing at the same time. The cadet dining hall seemed like the perfect spot for a private conversation, and since classes were in session, it would be empty. I pushed open the heavy wooden doors and stepped inside.

The cavernous room was deserted, just as I'd hoped. The long wooden tables stretched out in neat rows under the vaulted ceiling with its enormous wooden beams. The air still carried the lingering scent of something warm and yeasty with a hint of spice from that morning's breakfast. My tummy rumbled, reminding me that I’d been so worried about Morgan and Tivek that I’d barely eaten.

"Which suites did you give them, hon?" I asked, settling onto one of the benches and placing the tablet carefully on the table in front of me.