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B efore I could say anything, my wristband chimed again, but it was just mine this time. An incoming call from Hazel. I tapped Decline, then sent her a quick message.

Eating dinner. I’ll call after.

Okay.

I was sure she wanted to explain what had happened, but I wasn’t in the right place or frame of mind to have that conversation at the moment. I looked up. Frank was watching me.

“You okay?”

“I’m fine.” Which, obviously, I was not.

Benni wrinkled her nose. “Deep sight? Does that mean like psychic readings? Fortune-telling? That sort of thing?”

“I think so.” I was frowning and couldn’t stop myself.

Vashti gestured with her fork. “Some people believe psychic abilities might be possible if the full potential of the brain could be realized.”

“Do you?” I asked.

She shrugged. “I’ve seen strange things in my line of work. I’m not sure.”

Zanya looked far too interested. “Maybe they could tell me if I’m going to meet a nice man.”

Benni snorted. “Even I could tell you that. Not on this ship.” She laughed. “Sorry, Frank, but I think you’re the exception. Most of the good ones are taken.”

“Easy for you to say,” Zanya shot back. “You already have Will. I don’t even have a compdroid to keep me company. Not that I could afford one.”

I felt for her. She loved Harry and often mentioned the little dog she’d had as a kid.

“Okay, I’ve got Will,” Benni said. “But I didn’t meet him on the Athos .”

“No, but you did meet him in training.” I shook my head. “Zanya, you will meet someone when the time is right. You can’t force those kinds of things. What’s important is that it happens naturally.”

Zanya sighed, and a heavy silence fell over the table.

“I don’t think letting the Ohuli tell people’s fortunes is such a good idea,” Frank said softly.

“Why not?” Vashti asked.

“People could get false expectations, which would set them up for disappointment. Or they could be told something unfortunate. It just doesn’t seem like a great thing.

Unless, of course, it’s strictly set up for entertainment purposes only.

” He shrugged. “Even then, feelings are likely to get hurt.”

“Frank’s right,” I said. “Nothing good is going to come of this. Mark my words.”

“Oh, Ellis,” Zanya said. “We’re all adults. We can make our own decisions.”

I nodded, conceding her point. “That’s true. We are and we can, and my decision is not to have anything to do with it.”

“Same,” Benni said. “I think those Ohuli are the galaxy’s equivalent of a sideshow. I don’t have time for freaks and games.”

“Benedicta!” Zanya glared at her.

“What? It’s how I feel.” Benni picked up her tray. “I gotta go. Will and I are hitting the Red Lion for darts. See you all tomorrow.”

And with that, she left.

Zanya looked hurt, and Vashti was silent. All around us, the dining hall buzzed with conversation, but we were suddenly in an odd little bubble of uncomfortable quiet.

Even though I wasn’t feeling much like being a peacemaker, I couldn’t leave things like that. “Zanya, whatever you want to do, we aren’t going to judge you for it.”

She grabbed her tray, eyes flashing. “Well, thank you for your permission.” Then she stood up and stormed off.

I sighed. “I didn’t mean to upset her. I was trying to make things better.”

Vashti patted my hand. “I know. And she knows that, too. She just needs a little time to cool off. Whatever’s going on with her is not a true reflection of how she feels about you.”

“Thanks.”

“She might be…” Vashti sighed. “I hate to say it, but maybe a little jealous about what you and Frank have.”

Frank straightened his fork. “I shouldn’t come to dinner anymore. It’s intruding on your time as friends.”

“Frank…” I wanted to tell him he was wrong, but I really didn’t know what was going on with Zanya.

“No, it’s all right.” He gave us a quick smile. “I don’t want to come between friends. I’m not upset. Except for the fact that I may have contributed to this.”

“We should go,” I said softly. “Have a good night, Vashti.”

“You, too,” she said. “Both of you.”

Frank and I walked back to his place in silence. I felt bad for Zanya. Somehow, it felt like we’d ganged up on her without meaning to. I did not like that someone I cared about was hurting.

Frank put his hand on the printlock to open his door. “You okay to hang out? If you’d rather not, I understand.”

The door whooshed open.

“No, I’m good. Although I do need to call Hazel back.”

“I can go in my office and shut the door.”

I shook my head and stepped inside. “It’s not that kind of call. Nothing private. Nothing I wouldn’t tell you anyway.”

“All right.” He came in behind me, and the door closed. “Decaf?”

“Sure.” I sat on the couch and tapped Hazel’s contact icon.

My holoscreen popped up as she answered right away. She looked past me. “You’re at Frank’s?”

“Yes, why? Is this something he can’t hear?”

“No, it’s fine.” She sighed. “I know you saw the alert that went out.”

“Everyone did.” I made a face. “Sort of an odd alert, don’t you think? I wouldn’t think fortune-telling is exactly alert-worthy, if you ask me.”

“Between us, I don’t think it is either, but the official word from FAN is these Ohuli might be the last of their kind and we are to treat them as special guests while they are on board the Athos .

FAN has designated them an endangered people.

In fact, per FAN’s request, they’re being moved to a suite tomorrow. ”

“Seriously?”

She nodded, looking none too pleased about it. “Yes.”

“And the fortune-telling bit?”

“Deep sight, Mom. That’s the official term and the one we’re supposed to use. Again, something FAN has asked us to allow since it’s what the Ohuli are known for.”

“And did the Ohuli ask to be allowed to do this, or did you ask them if they wanted to?”

“They asked. FAN cleared it.” She frowned. “Personally, I think it’s a load of bunk, but this comes from higher up.”

At least I’d raised her right. “So there’s nothing you can do.”

“No.” She swallowed and glanced off-screen. “There’s one more thing.”

A gut feeling told me I wasn’t going to like her one more thing. “What’s that?”

“They’d like one of the smaller classrooms in the library to use as a place to meet with those wishing to use their services.”

I stared at her. My gut had been right. “No.”

“Mom.”

I closed my eyes, trying to get my temper under control. I didn’t get mad often, but this? This was raising my temperature pretty quickly. “Why can’t they have a guest room? Wouldn’t that be more comfortable?”

“They requested a room in the library because they’re already doing meditation in there. I know you don’t like this. I don’t either, but FAN has asked that?—”

“FAN can go?—”

“It’s okay,” Frank said with a nod. “Give them the room. Just give me a little time in there first.”

I didn’t know what he was planning, but I trusted him. I pursed my lips, trying not to lose what little cool I had left. After a moment, I looked at Hazel again. “Fine. They can have one of the small classrooms. The one right next to the big one they’ve already taken over.”

“Thanks, Mom. I know this is a lot. I promise it will be made up to you.”

I just frowned. I couldn’t think of anything that would make it up to me, and honestly, I didn’t care. “Good night, Hazel.”

“Good night, Mom. Love you.”

I hung up. I was mad, and there was no denying it. I looked at Frank. “What are you going to do?”

“We’re going to get in there and make sure we have some eyes and ears in place.” His mouth bent in a curious grin. “So long as you’re okay with that.”

Stars above, he was devilishly handsome when he had something up his sleeve. “How soon can you be ready to leave?”