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can save her.”
    Looking at the older woman, Sky noted that she had a peculiar crackling energy around her aura. The woman slowly lowered her weapon but kept it ready. “I have a companion with me. He only has a short knife. He is no danger to you. May he come in?”
    The woman raised the blaster. “Why have you come?”
    Sky sighed. “May I sit? You can let your granddaughter out of the closet now. They would have found her anyway.”
    Absently, the woman gestured to the table and Sky had a seat. “You can call in your companion. I won’t shoot him.”
    The sounds of battle were getting closer, but Sky acted as if she had all the time in the world.
    “Tavik, come in. It’s as safe as it is going to get.” She adjusted her skirt as she sat and the woman focussed her gaze on Sky’s belt.
    “Are those scissors?”
    “Yes. I am a seamstress. Come in, Tavik.” She raised one hand slowly and beckoned him in.
    The woman tightened her hands on the blaster, but she didn’t raise it when Tavik entered her home.
    “Sky, the invaders are getting closer.” His tone was low and quiet, but she heard the tension in his voice.
    “I know, Tavik, but she is determined to make a stand and I will not have the child traumatized by the removal. Her grandmother has to let her go. Now, sit down before she shoots you.”
    There was a tea set on the table and Sky poured the hot beverage into a cup and offered the other to the stunned woman who’s attention was now firmly fixed on her.
    “Have a seat, Randa. You are going to have to defend your home, but she will not be in it.”
    Jerking forward with slow steps, Randa took a seat with the two strangers and sipped at her tea. “You can keep her safe?”
    “I can deliver her to a place where she will grow tall and strong, living life to the fullest.” Sky placed her hand on the woman’s darker skin and smiled into the kind eyes that had been worn by time.
    “How can I know that you speak the truth?”
    Sky shrugged. “You can’t, but you can trust that with the death squad killing everyone in the village, they would not stop for one child. I can see two very distinct possibilities for your grandchild. In one, she dies here and her father’s people whisper rumours about her secretly living among them, and in the other, I take her to safety and the rumours say the same thing, but she gets to live a life on a free world with a family who loves her and will make sure her line extends far into your future.”
    Randa had tears in her eyes. “How do I know that you are not working for them?”
    Sky lifted her gaze and stared into the woman’s eyes. “Tell me what you see.”
    “Stars, so many stars.” Randa shuddered.
    Sky dropped her lids to half-mast once again. “Apparently, some call us Sentinels, but you can call me Sky.”
    The sounds of battle drew closer and Tavik tensed. “We have to go, Sky.”
    She nodded. “Will you trust me with her future?”
    Randa’s tears streamed endlessly down her face. “Take my life with her. She will be in my heart as long as my soul lives.”
    Sky waited as Randa went to the cellar and lifted a little girl out. The six-year-old was sniffling and her bright eyes were wide in her dark face. It was the ivory glow of her hair and brows that marked her as different.
    “Veema, I want you to go with this lady and live a good life. My time is over, but they have promised me that you will have a chance to start over. You will behave and know for now and always that you are loved.”
    Veema nodded and hiccupped. Her cheeks were marked with tears.
    Sky held out her arms and the little girl curled against her. “Hello, Veema, I am Sky and I will take care of you.”
    “Will you take care of Nanna too?”
    Randa moved to speak, but Sky whispered, “No, sweetie, she has to stay here so that everyone thinks you are dead. When your own grandchildren come back, they will honour her for her sacrifice today.”
    Veema stuck her thumb into her mouth