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how to work around his gift to keep from saying things he’s not supposed to.”
    Shaking his head, Alan decided to sit instead of stand. The movement made him seem much more broken rather than the strong, stoic persona he usually presented. He folded his hands in front of him. “I don’t think this is true. He’s told me how he’s witnessed conversations in the cargo hold of our ship between the leak and their contact on Earth. How he tried to catch them in the act and failed. At the same time, my boss does raise an interesting point. The night Sprout was taken for rehabilitation she was able to escape quickly and without being seen. Few people can teleport. It’s not a common ability.”
    â€œMust feel nice to know he’s positive it’s not you,” she said, grasping for some kind of silver lining to lighten his spirits.
    He scoffed quietly. “He knows because he already tested and observed me for long periods of time to make sure I was trustworthy. I was the first person he suspected. That’s hardly something to be proud of. My dilemma isn’t about how I’m going to find the leak. I know I will. I refuse to fail at this mission. The future of the war depends on us keeping our actions secret from the enemy.”
    â€œYou don’t know how to approach Jaes about the subject.” Her gaze softened with sadness as she put the pieces together. “He’s your friend and your roommate. Insulting him could create a huge wedge between you two.”
    â€œYes, and all we have is one another. Our families are back on Altura, and we both have the same bad luck with making friends.” He chuckled. “If I ask him, I’ll get a straight and honest answer. When I asked him if he was the leak, he seemed so...crushed. I’d prefer to find a better way of figuring it out. But I need to know if I can trust him because if I can have his help, then the task will be significantly easier. So obviously, the sooner, the better.”
    Cadence put together a few packets, thinking his predicament over. “The way I see it is you have two options. Ask him what he thinks about the leak having help on the ship and see what he says, or you can test him. Tell him something the leak would need to know and follow him. Can you be invisible to him like you can to all of us?”
    â€œNo, it doesn’t work on my shipmates,” he mumbled. “I know I should just talk to him about all of this. It’s the right way to do things.”
    â€œIf he’s your friend, he’ll understand, especially if he’s innocent. Only someone who has something to hide would get mad,” she said, feeling a little like a hypocrite. After all, wasn’t she doing the exact same thing to JD? Only she did have something to hide. Hesitantly, she reached out and touched his forearm with her hand. “Well, mad enough to end a friendship. Given the nature of your work, I’m sure he’d realize you’re only asking because your boss wants you to be certain.”
    He took in a deep breath then exhaled slowly. “The same thoughts came across my mind as well. I wanted your reassurance anyway. It helps me feel stronger when I know you’re supporting my decisions.”
    â€œWe’re a team, it’s what we do.” She had to will herself not to blush. It was by far the best compliment she’d ever received. I can’t read too much into it.
    His next words didn’t help with that much. “We are, but I’m talking specifically and only about you.” Alan lowered his gaze to his hands, or more specifically, her hand still resting on his arm. “I’m not sure why I feel so calm when we’re together. It’s good to be around someone who understands, that’s probably why. The others can’t see past my being from another planet. I like how you see me as the same. We are, you know. The same, I mean. Genetically