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was in a place not of her choosing.
    I have to admit that I would rather be here than Cuello’s compound any day, though, she silently conceded as she fell into step beside him.
     
    *.*.*
     
    Sara gently rubbed her forehead and tried to focus on where they were going. She listened as Jaguin quietly explained the different features of the ship as they walked by. It took her a few moments to realize that the soothing sound of his voice was helping the headache that had been a constant nuisance since she woke.
    She didn’t want to admit it, but the continual ache was beginning to worry her. She didn’t know if it was a result of the beating and subsequent concussion, the stress of everything, or something the aliens may have inadvertently done, but she couldn’t seem to shut her brain off.
    Her mind felt fragmented, almost bruised. It was like whatever happened to her had opened a floodgate and she couldn’t shut down all the way so she could rest. Random thoughts sparked to life before burning out almost as quickly. She hadn’t said anything to Tandor, but if it continued, she would.
    The throbbing faded to a dull, persistent ache. The pain still made it difficult for her concentrate on every word the huge man next to her was saying, but at least the full drum corps that was playing in her temple had decreased to a low thump for the moment.
    A tired sigh escaped her and she dropped her hand. She could feel the thin, gold creature moving on her. It was as if it could sense her distress. A shiver ran through her and goosebumps appeared on her arms. She didn’t want to admit that it was freaking her out – but, it was freaking her out.
    “Is it possible to have this stuff go back to you?” she asked in a husky voice before she cleared her throat.
    “Stuff?” Jaguin asked in confusion, glancing down at Sara’s pale face. “Are you unwell? You appear to be paler than before. I should have considered that it was too soon for you to leave the medical unit.”
    “No, it’s not that. I’m fine. It’s just, I’m not used to wearing jewelry, especially jewelry that is alive. It’s freaking me out just a little by the way it is moving around on me. I don’t… I need it off of me,” she ended, coming to a stop again in the corridor as she tried to push down the panic that was rising inside her. “Please.”
    She saw his expression twist in confusion and disappointment before he nodded. Almost immediately, the gold on her arms and around her neck dissolved. She watched in fascination as the gold reformed into the tiny shape of a dragon.
    “Oh!” She whispered, startled as it floated in front of her. Unable to resist, she lifted her hand to hover just under it. She glanced over to Jaguin with wide eyes. “Can I…?”
    “Yes, you may touch it all you wish. You cannot harm it – and it would never harm you, Sara. My symbiot wishes only to protect you,” Jaguin murmured, turning so that he stood in front of her.
    She watched as he lifted one hand and extended a finger. The delicate dragon landed on his outstretched digit, balancing as it folded its nearly transparent wings back against its body. A small, bemused smile curved Sara’s lips when the golden creature tilted its head at her and nodded as if agreeing with Jaguin.
    Sara took a step closer, mesmerized by the beauty of the alien form. She jumped when it reached up and gripped her finger when she went to stroke it. Blinking, she quickly gazed up at Jaguin in uncertainty.
    “It will not harm you,” he assured her again.
    Sara bit her lip and gave him a trembling smile before her gaze moved back to the creature she was holding. It now had both its front and back feet wrapped around her finger. The creature was so long that its tail wound down and around not just her hand, but her wrist as well. A soft, startled giggle escaped Sara when the golden head bent and the dragon suddenly rubbed its cheek against the tip of her finger.
    “This is amazing,” she