Page 138 of Seer Prophet

I sighed again. “There’s one more thing.” I straightened from the table, feeling the smallest amount of tension leave my shoulders.

“And what is that, Esteemed Bridge?” Wreg asked, cautious.

I looked around at all of them, clicking a little in amusement at the wariness I saw there.

“Lily,” I said. “I want to know when Lily can start to leave the tank. On a trial basis.” I cleared my throat, combing my fingers through my hair, realizing only then that it was still damp from the shower I’d taken. Clicking softly, I shook my head. “At the very least, she needs contact with other kids. Revik and I have talked about it, and we simply can’t be in there as much as we’d like. I know everyone pitches in, and we both appreciate that, but we want her to have play dates. With other kids. Human, if there are no other seer kids. Ideally, she’d be able to play in the actual ship, and not be stuck in that damned cell all the time. But we’ll take whatever we can get for now. Whatever passes security muster.”

Another silence fell over the room.

That time, when I looked at Jon, I saw understanding in his eyes.

I saw it in Wreg’s too, even as a smile toyed at the edges of his lips.

Somehow, just in feeling Wreg and Jon’s shift, that hotter current in my light relaxed even more. I felt my relief intensify, maybe just because they all seemed so relieved I wasn’t going to quit. I turned my eyes on Balidor, and saw understanding in his face, as well.

I could see him thinking, too, but I couldn’t read which direction his thoughts were turning now.

“Well?” I asked. “Balidor?”

He nodded, his jaw suddenly firm.

“Yes,” he said.

“Yes, what?”

“Yes… Esteemed Bridge,” he said, smiling.

At his expression, I let out a snort in spite of myself.

Balidor returned my smile, but I saw something else in his eyes, too, something that lingered in the background, reminding me of what I glimpsed on him during my confrontation with Revik in the security station.

“We will arrange it,” he said simply. “Give me twelve hours, Esteemed Bridge. We will then arrange for regular time for your daughter to at least get exposure to other children. I will have them look into more ways we might let her out of the tank on a limited basis, too.”

Feeling something in my heart loosen, something that had been pounding and cracking there for weeks now, I leaned back, gripping the backs of two of the metal chairs. Briefly, I fought tears, but that pain in my chest was worse. It felt good, that pain, but it also seemed to let everything out all at once, catching me off-guard.

I couldn’t quite let Balidor off the hook though, even now.

Are you ever going to really trust me, ‘Dori?I asked him, my thoughts quiet.

He turned, looking at me directly with those light gray eyes.

After a silence where I felt and heard nothing in return from his light, his words rose, equally quiet, in my own mind.

I do trust you, Esteemed Bridge,he sent.I wish you knew how much.

I frowned faintly. I wasn’t sure how to answer that.

Clicking, he only shook his head.I will do as you command. I vow it, sister. Just as I swear my loyalty to you.

I nodded, but felt my chest start to hurt a second time.Sorry for doing it like this. You didn’t leave me a lot of choice, ‘Dori.

He nodded, once, his eyes distant.

I know I didn’t, Esteemed Bridge,he said only.

Looking at that expressionless face, I realized he meant that, too.

Chapter27

---