But here, at last, she felt like she was home. She’d found her place. She was here to stay.
Her reunion with the crew had been unexpectedly touching. Malvery had almost crushed her ribs with a hug, before planting a big, whiskery kiss on her cheek. Frey was similarly effusive. Pinn slapped her on the arm; Harkins babbled, jubilant. Silo nodded respectfully, which was as close as he ever came to a joyous outburst. Even Crake seemed happy to see her, though there was a wariness in his eyes, as if he expected her to reject his handshake.
‘Thank you,’ he said, simply.
‘I brought Bess,’ she said, thumbing behind her at the open maw of the cargo hold. ‘She’s in there.’
Crake’s eyes filled with tears and his face split into an uncontrollable grin that was half a sob; then he hugged her, clutching her tightly to him. She was surprised enough to hug him back. Of all people, Crake had been the one who should have been most enthusiastic in his loathing. He was smart, and knowledgeable in the hidden ways. He’d have guessed her nature by now.
And yet he embraced her, as the others did.
She’d hoped that at best they would let her go on her way. She’d hoped that they’d be grateful enough for their rescue that they’d keep her secret from the Century Knights, no matter how dangerous they knew her to be. The idea of taking her back was ridiculous. They might tolerate an openly practising daemonist on board, but how could you get on with a woman whose heart didn’t beat, who didn’t need to breathe or sleep or eat? How could you ever trust someone like that? Robbed of the common vulnerabilities of humanity, how could you ever know what they might do next?
She’d accepted that they might turn her in. Gratitude didn’t apply to monsters. They might try to destroy her. She’d been ready for that. It was an acceptable risk.
But they greeted her like an old friend.
She hardly dared believe what was happening. Surely they were just relieved at escaping execution, and hadn’t had time to think it through? If that was the case, then their suspicions would grow as soon as their happiness faded. She couldn’t bear that. She had to know if they accepted her as she was or if they simply hadn’t taken in the truth yet.
‘I suppose . . .’ she said, once Crake had released her. ‘I suppose I owe you an explanation.’
‘No,’ said Pinn, beaming.
Jez frowned at his abruptness, and the twinkle of amusement in his piggy eyes. ‘No, I mean, you must be wondering how I did it.’
Silo shrugged.
‘Not really,’ said Frey.
‘Nope,’ said Harkins.
‘Couldn’t give a dog’s arse, frankly,’ Malvery added.
She looked at the faces of the crew, and she began to understand. Perhaps they knew exactly what she was, perhaps not. But it didn’t matter, because they didn’t care. She was one of them.
‘You?’ she asked Crake.
‘I already know how you did it,’ he said. ‘No need to tell me.’ His smile was warm. Bringing Bess back had indebted him to her for ever. Bringing the Ketty Jay back had won the hearts of the rest of them.
Seeing their grinning faces, joined together in a conspiracy of support, she at last let herself believe. The grin spread to her face too.
