"Are you sure?" Evelyn asked after a startled pause. "You're kind of upset about it."
"I'm not upset for the reason you assume I am!" Kiera snapped. "Just take me and the damn tarantula in the kitchen home!"
"You are home."
"No, Evey, I'm not."
Evelyn's gaze fell to the painting again. "So that is why he's destroying everything," she said softly.
"I don't know why, but I really don't blame him!" Kiera replied. "I'm ready. You can get the tarantula."
It took a full minute for Evelyn to realize just how serious she was. Evelyn moved after a long, considering look, leaving the studio for the kitchen. Kiera released a deep breath and trailed her. Evelyn removed the obstacle from the door and snagged the tarantula cat as it darted past her.
Silently, the two left the row house for the park across the street, where the spacecraft was hidden in the Monterey mist. Kiera's heart still did somersaults, and she felt both doubtful Evelyn would follow through and ecstatic at the prospect. She didn't doubt Jetr had reached out to Evelyn, or her friend would never have come. The odd little man was the loyal ally A'Ran considered him! The spacecraft's door opened, and her excitement grew. She followed Evelyn into the craft, seeing only one Qatwali warrior to pilot the craft.
She sat across from Evelyn, who continued to give her the odd look, and clasped her hands together hard to keep them from shaking as they took off. After a thick moment of silence, Evelyn rose to place the tarantula cat near the pilot and sealed off the door between the tiny cabin and pilot. She reached into a drawer at the back of the craft.
"I've got snacks," Evelyn said. "Oh, and you may need one of these."
She produced an armband. Kiera raised the arm of her sweatshirt to reveal the band she already wore. Evelyn looked at her hard again but said nothing.
Kiera lowered the shirt, glad she'd never convinced herself to remove the band. It was her last connection to Anshan and its dhjan. Her stomach churned as the day grew on. There were no windows on the tiny craft, only the two of them and two benches long enough for them to stretch out on. She didn't want to talk to Evelyn and lay down soon after the feeling of the craft ascending-- similar to the pressure felt in a plane-- stopped.
Her mind went crazy with thoughts and emotions, and she wondered if A'Ran would be happy to see her. She didn't know if the choice she made was the right one, but she knew staying alone in the row house had been the wrong one. She wondered how he'd destroyed his own planet, whether his sisters were still safe. If he wanted to see her.