Page 113 of The Edge of Dawn

“I wouldn’t say famous. If you know classical music, you might be aware of me.”

“I’m sorry. I’m afraid I’m not much into classical music. My latest obsession is with Galaxy Dancehall, or G-Hall, or whatever it’s called.”

Noa laughed. “There have been a couple of huge hits in that genre lately, right? Not many people are into classical these days. But it still has its devotees. Some things never really fade. Anyway, enough about me. Let’s talk about the artifacts. Elgon’s come across something we might be able to use to help you communicate with Dragek, even across these very vast distances. It’s certainly worth a try.”

“Why me? Can’t you use the thing to talk to them?”

“I’ve tried, and I kinda can, but we’re talking about a phenomenal distance here. Considering your and Dragek’s current state, Elgon has a theory that it might be easier for you.”

“I’m sorry for the hundred questions, but what current state?”

“That’s perfectly okay. I know exactly how you feel. You can ask me anything you like. I don’t mind at all. Even the most ridiculous-seeming stuff. Don’t hold back.”

“Okay, but what state are you talking about?”

“Oh, that? Where you feel like you can’t think about anything else but him? Like you would do the most crazy things, like try and go after him or fight someone to the death if anything threatened him? Like you want him with every last fiber of your being, and the Universe feels like it’s at a complete standstill until you both get what you’re so very obviously meant to have? That kind of feeling?”

Jade tried to conceal her surprise. How could Noa describe the feeling so accurately? “I take it you’ve been there, done that.”

“That’s why I’m here, trying to make sure you have every bit of guidance and support that you need.”

“What is it, exactly? What’s happening to me?”

“This is the problem with our Kordolians. As well-meaning as they are, they can be absolutely terrible at explaining things, especially important things like this. Honey, you and Dragek are going through Mating Fever.”

“Mating Fever?” Jade suddenly wanted to see Dragek more than ever so she could wring his neck in an affectionate kind of way. She could still feel him in the background, deep down in the essence of her being. “You’re right. He really is shit at explaining things. But I do want to see if I can connect with him through my… abilities if I can. The not knowing of it all is driving me insane.”

“He’s fine for now. We can always communicate with them through the regular channels, but Elgon and I thought this might be very helpful for teaching you how to harness your abilities overall. When your motivation for doing something is this powerful, sometimes certain things become intuitive. It’s exciting to think about what might happen, isn’t it?”

“I guess…” A cloud of butterflies burst inside Jade’s stomach. Of course she wanted to see if she could reach out to Dragek… and also sharpen her abilities. If this talent of hers—once a curse, now a phenomenon—could become useful, then she would do everything in her power to become good at wielding it, especially if it would help Dragek.

Knowing him, he would never complain or grow bitter about his existence and his past, but some deep instinct told her he needed her.

“All right, let’s do it,” she said resolutely.

“I was hoping you’d say that. Actually, I knew you would.”

“We’ve only just met. How did you know I wouldn’t be completely freaked out by all of this?”

“Some things, you just know.” Noa rose to her feet and gestured toward the doorway. “Come with me.”

Jade took a few steps forward, then stopped. A loud rumble came from lower down… in her belly.

Noa gave her a quizzical look. “When was the last time you ate?”

“I… can’t remember, actually.”

“Dragek should have attended to that first, but he has very little experience with humans, and Kordolians tend to treat their bodies like machines. Let’s go and have something to eat first. Then we can get down to the tricky stuff.”

“Sounds good. Food is, uh, as well-catered as everything else on this station?”

Noa smiled and nodded. “You could say that.”

“I didn’t even need to ask, did I?”

“Well, what else did you expect from a bunch of uber-capable, unrelenting, perfectionistic control freaks? That’s why, even though I’m worried sick about Ash, I can just keep myself together. Because if it’s them, everything will be fine in the end.”

THIRTY-EIGHT

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