Page 74 of Polestar
“Hey, don’t cry, Ana.”
Don’t cry?This is all my fault.And if they’re still here after all this time, there’s nothing I can do to save them.
“This is not your fault, sweetheart.It’s because of you they’re even alive.”
She sniffled, dabbing her eyes on her sleeve.
What do you mean?
She had the sense he’d settled next to her.His energy felt closer, stronger as it mingled with hers.
“I-uh,” he sighed.“Ana, I’m sorry I pushed you away when you tried to warn me something bad was going to happen at sea.Your ability kept these guys alive.Even thoughIdied, I could save them because your warnings gave me the edge I needed to react in time to get them out.”
The Navy is still investigating.
“Yeah, I’ve been watching that, too.They’re doing their best, but you need to let them know what happened.”
Ana snorted.
Right.
“No really.We’re going to figure out how to get you out of here,” Antony insisted.
Ana laughed.Someone shuffled further away.
Antony, they’ve been trapped for over a month If they—trained for conflict guys—haven’t been able to escape, how do you thinkIcan?
“You, sweetheart, have me.Now that you’re listening.”
She grit her teeth.
You haven’t changed.
“Why should I?”
Aren’t you supposed to be all-knowing and full of compassion and grace in the afterlife?
“Yeah, sure, but I got things to do first.Like save my guys, then I can go slap some wings on my back.Help me out here.”
She rubbed her temples, praying the pounding would ease soon so that she could deal with this … what the hell was this?
“Life, Ana.This is life,” Antony said, dropping some of his bluster.
A cool prickling sensation drifted across her cheek.
If there had been more light in the room, she would have seen Antony’s hand caressing her face.
She leaned into it.
I really miss you.
“Me too, sweetheart.”
She had the impression he pressed a staticky kiss on her forehead.
“I have an idea.Do you know how to bi-locate, like that girl that you interviewed did?”
Just in theory.I’m not skilled enough in my ability yet.Any time Maeda tried to guide me through the process, I just snapped back into my body.
