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“It is.” He nodded and put on his own overcoat. “All right, I think it’s time.”

“Okay. Bye, Mom. Love you.” She squeezed Carol’s hand. “Bye, Dad.” Nadzia kissed her fingers and placed them on the sanative capsule.

“Enjoy yourselves. Love you two,” Carol said before they exited the room.

Nadzia

Before they walked out of the hospital, she touched her wrist like Aculus had indicated. Her steps faltered when the armor grew, sliding over her skin. It was such a bizarre sensation. It was a good thing she was wearing shorts and a tank top or her clothes would’ve bunched up when the living armor slid over them. She had to repress the urge to freak out as the shell slid up her neck, past her lips, into her mouth then over her nose and eyes.

“Nadzia?” Aculus placed a hand against her back.

She felt the pressure of his touch but none of the finer sensations like the warmth of his hand or impressions from his individual fingers.

Is this how Aculus feels things all the time?It was disconcerting and cool at the same time. Another thought occurred to her and she grinned evilly.Well no wonder he’s so skittish when I touch his quick.

“What’s that smile for?” Aculus arched his brow.

“Nothing. This is just odd.” She glanced at Aculus and was stunned by another observation.

He was crisp and she could see him perfectly, although there was a red tinge to everything. But the odd part was that she didn’t have to look up to look him in the eyes.

“I’m taller!”

“You are. And wider,” he added.

“Well I could do without that part,” she smirked and looked down at her hips.

“It wasn’t an insult,” Aculus snorted. “Are you good to walk?”

She nodded and started forward again, only to stumble. Awkward didn’t begin to describe trying to walk in the bony armor. But at least no one looked at her funny, so the disguise must’ve been convincing. Then again, the long, hooded jacket kept her mostly hidden.

“Are you sure you’re good, bonehead?” Aculus chuckled.

“Hey, that’s your nickname.” She swatted him in the stomach.

“Oof. And you’re stronger, too,” he groaned as they headed out of the hospital.

“Sorry. This is going to take some getting used to.” She grimaced and turned toward the cruiser but he stopped her.

“We have to leave it, too,” he commented and guided her toward a crowded square.

“I should’ve known that.” They left everything else behind that could be used to locate them.

They wove their way through the commons and down several crowded streets. Although they weren’t really streets the way she was used to them. These thoroughfares were mostly occupied by pedestrians. The main vehicles that traveled on the ground were hovering buggies that carried children or goods. Instead the ships of different sizes that the Osivoire used like cars whipped overhead, above and between the stone buildings.

“What the hell!” she said in awe and a bit of fright, when a pair of overgrown spiders pulling an ornate carriage passed at a leisurely pace in front of them.

“They’re for sightseeing. We can ride in one the rest of the way if you’d like,” Aculus offered.

She always wanted to go on a carriage ride, but not one pulled by massive spiders. That was not romantic, that was the thing nightmares were made of.

“No, thank you,” she blanched.

“All right,” he chuckled at her expression.

The farther they went she noticed numerous sleek ships converging on a large building ahead.

“Is that where we’re going?”