Page 61 of Galactic Sentinels: Vol. 1
His little trunk twitches with mischief.
“Well, you’re back!" I shoot back. "Done traumatizing the local wildlife?”
“Nice deflection! Still thinking about our beautiful friend, huh?”
“So, Wingo, was your walk fruitful?” Akifumi asks.
“Gnuffgnuff!” Wingo replies.
“Rohh, Wingo, you make it sound like a tragedy! Where are your manners? Why don’t you talk to him like you do with Ileana and me?”
Akifumi looks at him, puzzled. In all the time we’ve been around him, Wingo’s never given him anything but the basic gnuffgnuff. I’ve always had to translate.
“Is he mentally communicating with Ileana?” Akifumi asks.
“Gnuffgnuff!”
“Well, I’ll try not to take offense at this privilege you’re denying me,” my mentor says dryly.
Ouch. That sounds like a diplomatic incident in the making. Especially since there’s no logical reason for Wingo to limit his telepathy to just Ileana and me.
I look at him, but he’s staring at me, eyes wide.
“What’s up? What’s going on? Did I grow a second belly button or something?” I ask, half-joking.
“Nah, no second belly button in sight. Or a second trunk, for that matter.”
“Then what is it? Why are you staring at me like that?”
“Your link! How interesting! It’s fading…”
That doesn’t make any sense. Why would my link—
“It’s gone!”Wingo blurts out.“Your link has disappeared. Ileana’s gone!”
Chapter 16.
Ileana.
I wake slowly, still wrapped in the soft afterglow of happiness. Pherebos makes me feel whole. I’m starting to realize that this man—so strong, yet so gentle—has quietly taken root in my heart. Despite all my doubts, I’m falling for him… deeply, irreversibly.
I reach out, but the bed beside me is already cold. Again. Maybe he’s out running with Wingo. Or maybe he’s making breakfast—there’s a rich, familiar scent in the air. Coffee? I didn’t even know we had coffee on MyFaS. Up until now, it’s only been herbal infusions.
I slip on the tunic Pherebos made for me from local plants, soft and light against my skin. Just as I’m about to go find him, I catch a glimpse of movement behind the rear wall. He must be out on the terrace, watching the sunrise.
I head toward the door, but then I hear a voice—deep, unfamiliar. A man’s voice. I pause, instinctively staying hidden, and catch fragments of their conversation.
“I’ve got the girl a fake ID bracelet that’ll get her into anywhere in the Confederation. She’s free to go wherever she wants now.”
So this is Akifumi—the one Pherebos told me about. He must’ve arrived early, which explains why Pherebos left my room so quietly. And he brought me a new ID. Could this really mean I’ll have full freedom again? The chance to travel, to find a place to practice medicine? My heart leaps at the thought.
But then I hear Pherebos respond, his voice low and firm:
“Thank you for that. But I’m not planning to tell her just yet. I’d rather keep her here with me.”
What?
I freeze. Did I hear that right?
