“What happens if you find them?” Tess asked. “What happens to the people who had me?”
“If they’re stupid enough to come back to Hothrest, they’ll face Hothian justice.” Baralt’s voice went hard and cold in a way that reminded her that he’d been a gladiator once. That he’d killed for sport before he’d killed for duty. “And Hothian justice isn’t gentle with illegal slavers.”
Satisfaction flickered across Tess’s face, followed by something darker. “Good.”
Izzie cleared her throat, and smiled at Tess. “I understand you want to leave Hothrest. Have you thought about where you want to go? Once you leave here?”
Tess blinked. “Somewhere warm. Somewhere that isn’t—” She gestured vaguely. “Here.”
“I was afraid you were going to say Earth,” Izzie said quietly.
“I don’t think I could. Not now. Not after everything.”
The three of them exchanged glances, the same knowledge passing between them. They couldn’t go back to who they had been before.
“There are a few planets that might suit you,” Baralt said thoughtfully. “Safe places, or as safe as anywhere gets.”
“Like where?” Tess asked, her expression a mixture of hope and suspicion.
“Sherae, for one.” Baralt pulled something up on his tablet. “It’s an ocean world with a warm climate, and a number of small islands. They’ve got strict laws against slavery. It’s not perfect, but it’s better than most.”
“That’s Athtar’s home base,” Njkall added. “And his mate is human.”
Tess raised an eyebrow. “How do you know that?”
“She was here on Hothrest for a while.”
“Sherae,” Tess said slowly. “Ocean world. Warm.”
“I can send a message to Athtar, if you want,” Baralt offered. “To let them know you’re coming, and see if they can help you get settled.”
“I—” Tess stopped. For the first time since Polly had met her, she looked uncertain instead of angry. “I’ll think about it.”
“Take your time. There’s no rush.” Izzie reached out and patted her arm, quickly pulling her hand back when Tess tensed. “Sorry. But really, you don’t have to decide anything today. You’re safe here. That’s what matters.”
Safe.Polly turned the word over in her mind. A year ago, she hadn’t believed in safe. Safe was a lie people told themselves,a pretty story that shattered the moment someone stronger decided to take what they wanted. But she was beginning to think that safe was something you could build. Piece by piece. Day by day. Out of people who showed up when they said they would and kept the promises they made.
“Thank you,” Tess said stiffly. “For the information.”
“Thank you for sharing your information with me.” Baralt rose, massive and somehow not threatening despite his size. “I’ll be in touch. Njkall, a word before you go?”
The two males stepped aside, their voices dropping to a low murmur she couldn’t quite catch. She watched Njkall nod and saw Baralt’s expression shift into something grim, and wondered what they were discussing that they didn’t want the women to hear.
Izzie appeared at her elbow. “How are you doing, Polly? Really?”
She considered lying, but decided it wasn’t worth the effort. “Right now, I’m scared. But better than I expected, most of the time.”
“That’s good.” Izzie smiled. “You’ve come a long way from the girl I met last year.”
“I have. Thanks to Njkall.”
“I know he helped, but don’t give him all the credit.”
Before she could respond, Njkall was back at her side. “Ready?”
She almost said yes. The word was right there, but she wasn’t ready to go home yet. Not quite.
“Actually,” she said, and her voice only wavered a little, “I want to see the jewelry shop. The one that sells my work. Could we… Would you take me there?”
