The Companion Clause isn't written. It's cosmic, unspoken, inevitable. A cruel rhythm built into her life: Every companion leaves. Every connection unravels. Time gives her love-and then takes it away.
Chapter 1 Ashfall
The planet was bleeding light again.
Volcanic ash drifted in slow spirals through the thick jungle air, glowing faintly where it caught the sulfur-tinted sun. Trees-twisted things with glassy bark-creaked as if they knew the ground below was about to split open again.
The Time Mistress stepped over a bubbling crack in the earth, her boots hissing where they touched the steaming rock. She didn't flinch.
"You ever land somewhere nice?" Talon called from behind her, voice muffled slightly by the rebreather over his face. "You know. Beaches. Air that doesn't melt your lungs?"
"I did once," she said, not turning. "The air was full of aphrodisiac pollen and the locals only spoke in riddles. You would've hated it."
"Sounds like paradise," he muttered.
She smirked.
He caught up to her with that same confident, soldier's stride she pretended not to notice. His armor was worn, patched in three places with dark metal that didn't match. He hadn't shaved in days. The stubble suited him.
"So," he said, scanning the horizon. "This 'Star-Seed' thing we're here to retrieve-how dangerous is it?"
"Oh, very," she replied breezily. "Extremely unstable. Might sing. Might explode. Or both."
Talon gave her a long, flat look. "And you brought me along why?"
"I like watching you sweat."
A rumble echoed from beneath their feet, deep and hungry. The jungle hissed in response. Somewhere in the distance, something screamed like a bird that had never heard of joy.
Talon exhaled slowly. "One day, Mistress, you're going to take me somewhere quiet. Peaceful."
"That would be tragic," she said, already walking toward the next crack in the ground. "I'd have to find new ways to make you suffer."
He chuckled, low and rough.
Then followed her into the fire.