Hands gloved and stuffed into her pockets again, she followed Todd through their tour, marveling at the architecture and the work being done around them. It was all fascinating to her, since she didn't understand the first thing of what they might be doing at those control panels.

"He died," she said quietly, with a quick glance at her companion. "About a year ago. We were ambushed and he was hurt. There was nothing anyone could do for him." Her shoulders hunched slightly, and the words tasted like ash on her tongue. "Except for me. He asked me to absorb him, all the way, so he could stay with me. He insists it was the best kiss he'd ever had."