Page 20 of Zayrik

Zep climbed onto my shoulder, pressing warm against my collarbone reminding meI wasn’t alone.

Nav, of course, hadthoughts. “Your heart rate suggests fatigue. You are running at thirty-eight percent efficiency.”

I scowled, rolling my head against the seat. “Shut up, Nav.”

“I could. But that would not change the fact that you are... statistically speaking, making poor survival choices.”

Zep trilled softly, curling against my jacket like he agreed.

Traitors. Both of them.

I should have been strategizing my next move. But my body had other ideas.

I barely reached the nearest room with a bunk before my knees saidabsolutely not.

Just five minutes.

I stretched out, ignoring howgoodit felt to not be on my feet.

Zep curled up against my chest, his tiny claws kneading at my jacket. A comfort I didn’t deserve.

Nav’s voice softenedjust slightly. “Are you going to tell him?”

My stomach tightened. I knew exactly what the AI meant.

Zayrik.

He wasn’t an idiot. He’d already figured out that something was off. He just didn’t knowhow badit really was.

I stared at the ceiling. “There’s nothing to tell.”

Navhummed,like it didn’t believe me. “Interesting. Your vitals suggest otherwise.”

I glared at my wristband. “I swear to the stars, Nav—”

“Your hands are shaking.”

Ifroze. Then slowly curled my fingers into fists.

Nav wasn’t wrong.

I felt too much. And Ihatedit.

I was good at surviving. Good at making things up as I went. But this?This was different.

I hadno ideahow to handle someone like Zayrik.

His confidence, his presence, the way he looked at me like he saw something I wasn’t ready to show.

It had been easier when I thought I couldditch him at the next outpost.

But now? I wasn’t sure I wanted to.

I exhaled, turning onto my side. I wasn’t ready for whatever this was.Not yet.

Zep let out a soft chirp, curling closer.

I let my eyes close.

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