“Yes,” she said, lying a little to save herown pride.
“So do I.”
She stared at him, speechless.
“That’s why I don’t want you to take thetest.” He rested his hands on her shoulders. “If you pass, theMalarans will insist. Don’t you see that? And we will refuse. Andthen our alliance with them will be strained forever. Even if theywin their conflict with Alluva, they’ll always remember we refusedto give them the one thing they asked us for.”
“You’re so sure I’ll match Grandpa?” Shechoked on an unexpected lump in her throat. “Why?”
“I’ve always known. You may not be a warriorin the same sense he was. And you’d certainly make a terriblepresident. But you’re destined for something great. And I’m goingto make sure you survive to discover what it is.” Logan’s voicegrew husky. “It’s not your destiny to die on Malara. I won’t allowit, so don’t bother arguing.”
She tried to focus despite the mist in hereyes. “I can’t believe you’re saying this. You called me abrat.”
“You are a brat.” He grinned. “But sowas your grandfather. My father told me stories about DanielQuito’s misbegotten childhood, and trust me, the resemblance beganin the cradle.”
Zia bit her lip. “Would Daniel Quito want meto take this test? And if I pass it, would he want me to go toMalara?”
“He isn’t here. I am. It’s my duty toprotect you.”
“Your duty, Rem’s duty, Uncle J’s duty . . .”She gave him a wistful smile, embarrassed by the sudden profusionof heroes in her life. “I’ve never been so popular.”
“Rem?” The commander’s eyebrow arched again,this time in disapproval. “I’ve been meaning to ask, what’s yourrelationship with Aengus’s kid?”
She laughed. “There isn’t one. Unless I go toMalara, and then he’ll be my very, very best friend.”Touching Logan’s shoulder, she added more sincerely, “I appreciateyour concern, Commander. And I value your advice. But I’m stillgoing to let them test me.”
“Zee—”
“Don’t worry. I won’t be a match. But itmeans a lot that you think I would.”
She could see his jaw clench, but he didn’targue. Instead, he asked in an oddly gentle tone, “Do you mind if Istay? I’d like to be here when the decisions—yourdecisions—are made. And Zee?”
She bit her lip. “Yes, sir?”
“You need to trust me. Not ‘Rem.’ NotHumber. They didn’t earn it. But I did, by twenty years of loyalservice to your grandfather, your mother, and now, your uncle.”
Zia nodded slowly. It was true, wasn’t it?Rem had an agenda, as her uncle had noted, and as Rem himself hadconfirmed with his quips and barbs. Stone versus Quito—may the bestfamily win.
And Ambassador Humber? He wanted to saveMalara—which was understandable, but still, it made his advicesuspect when it came to the safety of an Earthling.
So what was Commander Sean Logan’s angle? Didhe have a personal stake in this as well?
“Like I said, it’s a strange week,” she toldhim finally. “Let’s hope it’s over soon, so I can get back to whatI do best—having fun. But in the meantime . . .” She jutted herchin forward again, this time with more authority. “Let’s find outwhat makes me tick—or not. Shall we?”
Chapter5
The best thing about Zia’s conversation withCommander Logan was that it gave her something to think about asshe slid into the Malaran tube. Lights were flashing; explosivesounds assaulted her; tiny pinpoints of electricity stabbed herfingertips; and despite a heady flow of oxygen aimed straight ather face, she had the distinct impression she could suffocate atany moment.
Yet all she could think about was thecommander. It was almost surreal, having him declare his loyalty toher now, after all these years. Now that she didn’t need himanymore.
Not because she had Rem—even she knewthat wasn’t true. Rem was too obsessed with vindicating his familyto really be Zia’s ally.
No, it wasn’t about either of them—Loganor Rem. It was about Quito the Great. Or rather, thepossibility that a part of him lived on in her. It was a littlescary, but the alternative—that no part of him lived on inanyone—was worse. Shocking. Unacceptable.
The Malarans needed Quito. And in astrange way, so did Earth.
So did Zia.
And so, when the lights in the tube flashed,she noted them. When her fingers tingled, she wriggled them. Whentiny bursts of sound assaulted her ears, she strained todistinguish them. For the first time in her life, she didn’t justwant to pass a test—she wanted to ace it.
She wasn’t in competition with her UncleJared—or at least, she didn’t think she was—but still shewas sure she was doing better than he’d done. No way could he havehad this wild stimulation—this rush—and be as passive as he’dseemed afterward. Exhausted, maybe, but like the exhaustion thatfollowed a particularly rousing game of sky paddle—the kind thatwould make one’s nerve endings quiver for hours.
Just about the time she began losing focus,Dr. Annur announced that the test was over, and the tube began toslowly slide away. As soon as her face and shoulders were clear ofit, she scrambled out, skinning her knee in the process.
Commander Logan was by her side in aninstant. “Zee? Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” She bit back a silly smile.“Really.”
“What was it like?” Rem asked, his eyessparkling with curiosity.
“Like playing sky paddle with Quito theGreat.”
“You’re kidding.” He grinned. “What arush.”
“That is a very good sign, is it not, Dr.Annur?” Humber murmured.
Annur shrugged. “We will see. I will beginthe analysis immediately.”
Zia’s own doctor stepped forward and restedhis hand on her arm. “Any pain? Dizziness? Disorientation?”
“I’m starving, but otherwise, couldn’t bebetter.”
Fuller laughed. “The president sent someprotein shakes along with your change of clothing. Try to relax andenjoy your lunch.”
“I will.”
“I need to get back to work. If youexperience any delayed side effects, my office is right down thehall. And don’t forget to call me when the results are ready.”
“I won’t. Thanks, Dr. Fuller.”
When Zia’s physician had left, CommanderLogan instructed her briskly. “Go and change. We can have lunchtogether outside.” He hesitated, then told Rem, “You can join us ifyou’d like.”
“Thanks, sir. Sounds good.”
“Okay,” Zia told them. “I’ll see you guys ina minute.” When they hesitated, she pretended to glare. “Shoo! Iwant to talk to
