The moment Veer and Rani stepped out of the kitchen, the dim corridor flared to life, panels igniting like flickering candles. A familiar chime cut through the hum of the spacecraft, and then her voice—ethereal, filled the air. Ariella had found them first.
"I believe you're looking for me," Ariella said, her tone shimmering with command. "I'd meet you face-to-face, but circumstances forbid it. Lucky for us, I've been hunting you down too."
Instinctively, they turned to check on their son, but Ariella reassured them. "Theo will be more than enough to keep him company."
A soft trail of lights illuminated the floor, forming a path in front of them. "Just follow the lights; they'll guide you to a different location."
"I can come too?" Rani asked, her voice cautious.
"Of course. I know you have reservations about this, and your input is important. There's no need for suspicion; I don't operate in the open, but I also don't deal in threats. Your lives are not at risk."
