Free Burn With Me (Legend of the Sun Whisperers) by Christle Gray

moved programs and processes aside and concentrated on the nugget of information, even dedicating a few more circuits to this new byte.  Data scrolled past in vast streams as she pursued the idea, excitement replacing her frustration with each new calculation. Though she had concentrated on Serra ’s lung function with the biometric scan, CAIT had taken a complete and thorough data blueprint of Serra’s entire body, which included brain function and mapping. And with that kind of information at hand…
    The excitement of her discovery made CAIT work with even more fervor as she divided her systems between this new project and her system repairs and really buckled down to work.
    ****
    The trip back to their ramshackle home passed quickly, and in silence. Draco tried to carry Serra himself, but Maddelyn refused, unable to relinquish the little girl from her grasp.  Feeling the child ’s heartbeat against her own was one more reassurance that Maddelyn needed.
    Draco hurried ahead and opened the door for them to duck rapidly inside. Maddelyn set the child on her feet. Her face was paler than usual, her blue eyes dim. “How about something to eat before bed, huh?”
    Serra shook her head. “I just want to sleep, Maddie.”
    The little girl sounded so defeated, Maddleyn ’s heart wrenched. “Ok, sweetie.  Let’s get your nightgown on and get you in bed.”
    Maddelyn helped Serra change her clothes and tucked her tightly in under the covers.  “Sweet dreams, baby. I love you.”
    “Love you too, Maddie,” Serra whispered. Her labored breathing almost immediately fell into the even pattern Maddelyn had grown so accustomed to.
    She walked over behind the curtain where her bed was, Draco following. Anger and frustration heated the blood in her veins. The past twenty-four hours had taken their toll.
    She spun and jabbed her finger into Draco ’s chest. “We should never have taken her out again so soon after last night! Her lungs are stressed enough already! That attack was your fault!” Maddelyn’s voice came out in a hot angry whisper.
    Draco widened his eyes, stunned at her reaction. “I never meant to cause you or Serra any distress, Maddelyn. I only wanted to help you as you helped me. I didn’t plan to crash into your world, or your life.”
    “That little girl is all I have left, do you understand that? Everyone I’ ve ever cared about is dead . Do you know how that feels?”
    Draco brought his hand up between them and grabbed the hand with the offending finger, his thumb lightly massaging her palm. Though Maddelyn didn ’t want it to, the gesture had a calming effect. “Actually, things were so chaotic with the attack on my world, I don’t know if any others of my people have survived. I don’t even know if my planet is still there.”
    Maddelyn felt some of the anger and frustration dissipate with his words. And his continued soothing touch. “You might be the only Sun Whisperer left?”
    Draco tilted his head, his blond locks brushing his collar. “CAIT has been unable to establish contact with any other survivors, or even verify that the planet is still there.”
    “But how can a planet disappear? Wouldn’ t CAIT be able to locate debris if it had been blown up or something?”
    Draco dropped her hand and took a deep breath. “Now you see why I am so concerned about getting my ship back to full operating capacity. I need to go back and see what has happened to my own world, and my people.”
    A sigh of defeat left Maddelyn ’s lips. “Of all the worlds for you to crash on, why did it have to be this one?”
    Draco shrugged and gave a boyish grin. “Serra seems to think that I’m an angel that she wished into existence for you.”
    Maddelyn couldn ’t help but smile. That sounded like Serra. Still capable of the innocence and wonder of childhood, despite all the horror that her little eyes had seen.
    Silence stretched between them, making the small space feel eerily quiet.
    And that’s when