“How did he react?” Taj asked when he projected from Crystal.

  “It was a good idea to speak directly, to stop hiding. I told him about the dual-thing only, of course,” Luna said, trying to be calm.

  Taj observed her for a moment.

  She sighed.

  “Did he say what’s next?” he asked.

  “No. But he said who was with him,” she said, her voice tentative.

  “O?”

  “He was with Shadows Young Master; imagine that. My alliance guy,” Luna added and loudly snorted.

  “Interesting.” Taj commented.

  As if he saw her face and decided to ease her, he said more. “Don’t worry too much. I think it is even for the better. It means they know each other and are cooperating. I assume they look for who releases the energy forms, who is behind the attacks. It could be for the better that they were together.”

  “Taj? You still think, these attacks, that it was something someone released?” she asked.

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  “Correct.”

  “I wonder what they think,” she said slowly; it was not a question.

  What could it mean? Luna was curious. It was clear; many things were about to change. What was a day before seemed like the distant past already.

  She wasn’t sure; was it good?

  “O? I can say you will know what they think very soon; you will meet your fiancé, finally,” Taj said.

  “Very funny.” She snorted again.

  “What about this man you like, Silly?” Taj asked.

  Luna could hear it in his voice. Even if his projection was blurry and his voice sometimes distorted, it was easy to spot. Taj didn’t like Silly.

  Not surprisingly, he said it many times. She hid things from Silly, but Silly also hid things from her.

  Taj pointed out many details when she described their meetings; he noticed where information was missing. Or what was specific.

  “Nothing. With Lukai, I think it is clear; I feel good about it. I wonder. Will this Young Master postpone again? Will he decide to fulfill the contract or to break it off? I truly have no idea what direction is more probable. Taj, you?” Luna asked.

  “We cannot do anything about it, as it must be his move. I suggest waiting, for good or bad, as it will be cleared faster than you wish,” he said. He was serious.

  She wasn’t scared. Somehow, her fears were there, of course, but she was feeling bad about it all less and less.

  “… Taj? Without you, I would have been dead a long time ago,” she said.

  It was just the truth.

  “I stay for you, Luna, only for you. We’ve discussed the news. No solution for me, not soon at least. Moon Two as a monument—what an impressive idea. But no terraforming on the horizon. I am here to stay for longer, no?” Taj sighed. “No one else I want to program to be able to ask for my projection after you.”

  “I am the last,” Luna said.

  “You are the last.” Taj nodded.