io9 is excited to share fiction from Lightspeed Magazine with our readers. Each month, we highlight a story from the current issue of Lightspeed. This month, we are featuring part two of “It Holds Her in the Palm of One Hand” by Lowry Poletti. If you missed part one, you can find it here. Enjoy this captivating tale of Hati, Sun, and their hatchling, Luna. As Sun and Hati discuss the hatchling’s development, their bond grows stronger. Sun shares her belief that the bird is communicating with her through olfactory codes, a theory that intrigues Hati. Their conversation leads Sun to consider keeping secrets from Dossa, her mentor. Meanwhile, Sun and Dossa share a meal together, and their relationship takes a surprising turn as they discuss Hati’s research. The evening brings back memories of their past and the beginnings of a new understanding between them.
