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It’s not the Bond that suddenlythrumsin my mind, but I gasp as if it was.

Their absence is sending a wave of heartache and pain through me – but it’sme.

These emotions are mine entirely – not driven by the Bond. I truly care for these Aurelians, whether or not I’m their Fated Mate. I’d love them regardless.

Now, I just ache to know Marcel, Quint, and Lucius in peacetime. I ache to feel them when our lives aren’t at stake – when we have time forus.

I need them back.

“Lights off,” I command.

Nothing happens. That damned delay.

Then, the words to switch off the light in the language of the Toads spark in my mind – but I bite my tongue before I utter them.

My newfound ability to speak Toad is going to raise some questions – especially from the girl lying in the bed next to me.

Iwantto trust Tessa – but I know that until she’s away from the ship, I’m not safe. She’d betray me to Lord Oblog in a second if it meant saving herself – and I don’t judge her for it.

Tessa isn’t herself anymore, not after what’s happened to her. She’d throw me under the thrusters of a spaceship if it meant clinging to her life, and perhaps in similar circumstances I’d feel the same.

The lights glare down at us from above, despite my command to switch off.

“They don’t work,” Tessa says slowly, her words sleepy. “They’re broken.”

“It’s okay.”

I pull myself out of bed and go to the closet – pulling out two long, flowing shirts.

Tessa is shivering despite the heat. I cover her eyes with one of the shirts, tucking her back into bed. Like a child at bedtime, her breathing slows.

“It’s okay, Tessa,” I reassure her. “You’re going to be fine – I promise. The Aurelians will be back soon, and then you’ll be safe. I swear to you.”

I wish Marcel was here, to comfort me with that same promise.

“Are you sure?” Tessa mumbles, the syllables blending into each other.

“I’m sure. I promise.”

She mumbles something else, which I don’t understand – finally falling into sleep.

I lie down next to her. I cover my eyes, blocking some of the light, but sleep can’t find me as easily.

My mind races.

I can live for thousands of years now – but I’m running out of time. I tug at the Orb-Ring around my finger, the one that disrupts the Bond. I hate it. I hate that it cuts me off from my triad. Ineedto feel them. I need to ask them what to do. I need to come up with a planwiththem.

If only I could communicate with them! If only I could tell them what’s going to happen!

After two more shipments, I’m convinced Lord Oblog is going to wipe the Aurelians out of existence. He says he’s going to let Tessa go free, but I don’t trust him now. She doesn’t know much about Lord Oblog’s operations, but she’s still a loose thread which could unravel his plans.

Oblog doesn’t seem like the type to let loose strands remain.

I blink.

Does he know about Atlantis?

My mind is racing. I feel so alone. I need to warn my Aurelians. I need to warn them so we can find a way to make their dream of paradise a reality again.

I remember the image of Atlantis they’d shared with me – what they believed would be the last safe haven in the universe, before the coming storm.

I need the Aurelians to know that Atlantis is at risk, even before it’s born – a defenceless child in the womb of the universe.

I toss and turn, and only finally does my tiredness take me – pulling me down into tormented darkness.

I pray I won’t dream.