throat tightened painfully. I had to force down a breath. “Fiona is unconscious on the bridge. Miko is…dead. Shiori was taken in a bid to get me on board the Overseer’s ship, but then Big Guy showed up and chased him off.” I waved a hand toward Big Guy. He needed a name—preferably one that fit the only person I’d ever seen the Overseer fear.
I glanced at Shade’s leg. “And I need one of those laser healer things to close this up. I already took the bullet out.”
Surral produced the healing instrument I needed from her medical kit.
“I can wait,” Shade said. “Go to Fiona first.” He lifted a corner of the sterile pad to look at his thigh. “It’s almost stopped bleeding again.”
“Who is this?” Surral asked.
In spite of everything, I felt heat crawl up my neck. “The lying fuckhead,” I answered.
“Ah” was all she said.
Shade’s wry smile said he totally deserved that. Which he did.
Mareeka didn’t ask. She didn’t waste time when she knew she’d get the information later from Surral.
“I have two.” Surral handed me the medical laser. “Just press the green button until the healing is done. It couldn’t be easier.”
Shade’s and my thanks fell on her back as she immediately climbed on board the Endeavor to try to help Fiona. Two nurses went with her while two others went to check on the Starway 8 sentinels. Mareeka started to follow Surral, but I stopped her with a hand on her arm. Surral was the doctor, and I needed to warn Mareeka.
I waited until the administrators had divided themselves between the Endeavor and the downed goons in the next bay over before saying, “I think I’ve put Starway 8 in danger.”
She cocked her head to one side. “Why do you say that?”
“The Overseer found me here. He’ll think you harbored me. That I come here…” I shook my head. “He could retaliate.”
“I know who you are, Tess. I’ve known since the day your uncle dropped you off.”
I stared at her in shock.
“You keep running from that man, and you let me worry about the rest.”
“No.” It didn’t work that way. I wasn’t a kid anymore. “I’m responsible for this place.”
“You aren’t. I am.”
I drew back, hurt.
Mareeka softened the verbal blow with a gentle hand on my cheek. “If he decides we harbored you, then destroying us would take away something he could use against you. The Overseer is a lot of things, but stupid isn’t one of them. And if Bridgebane doesn’t tell him your true connection to Starway 8, the Overseer might not realize the extent of it. Also, there are thousands of people alive in the galaxy right now with a strong sentimental attachment to this place. Attacking us would have the potential to turn public opinion against him.”
“And he thrives on adulation.”
She nodded. “‘Baby Killer’ has a terrible ring to it, doesn’t it?”
It did. There was a good chance he wouldn’t risk that. The Overseer had gotten away with atrocities in times of war, but we were technically at peace. Nuking the galaxy’s biggest orphanage for no apparent reason would do more than raise eyebrows. It could raise arms against him, especially considering the type of people Mareeka churned out of this place.
“What about an infection? An epidemic? Something subtle?” I asked.
“And what would be the point of that?” she asked.
“To take you from me.” Just like he’d taken Mom. And Miko. And Shiori.
“If he can’t glory in his accomplishment, it isn’t one. Baby Killer, Tess.” She shook her head. “He won’t do it.”
“Be careful. Be vigilant,” I said, not quite convinced. I wasn’t sure the Overseer was truly sane, and this line of reasoning required rational thought.
“I will.” She hugged me. “I promise.”
Mareeka turned and went into the ship. Big Guy followed, having listened to every word. Surral would already be doing everything possible to save Fiona. Mareeka and Big Guy… They’d probably help with Miko.
My heart suddenly hurt. It hurt so hard it burst.
I bit back a sob.
“Baby.” Shade reached for me.
“Don’t touch me!” I snapped.
He drew his hand back, his fingers curling into a fist.
“Don’t touch me,” I said more softly, “or I’ll break.”
“If you break, I’ll put you back together.”
Emotion ripped through me. I wanted to believe that. “Says the man who tore me apart.”
Something flickered in Shade’s eyes. “I’m sorry, Tess,” he said.
I nodded, acknowledging his words. But I suspected we both knew that the healing I needed now mostly came from the inside, as did forgiveness.