The council meeting was finally over. The men rose, their expressions a mixture of relief at the end of the tension and intense curiosity regarding their new Luna. Ethan stood up, gave Alicia’s hand one final, proprietary squeeze, and went away for urgent business.
Alicia found herself alone for a precious, fleeting minute, still seated at the massive table. She pressed her fingers to her lips where Ethan's mouth had been, her blush deepening at the memory of the kiss. The entire display had been shocking, embarrassing, and strangely thrilling.
'Skylar?' Alicia reached inward, Skylar responded immediately, no longer a faint whimper in a distant corner, but a low, anxious vibration directly behind her thoughts.
'Too much noise. Too many eyes. Too much power.' Skylar said, overwhelmed b
