Sword of Dreams (The Reforged Trilogy) by Erica Lindquist, Aron Christensen

fascinated to see what you can do. How many spells do you know? What exactly do they do?"
    "Mostly fire and lightning spells," Duaal told the Ixthian. "Gavriel was an expert killer. That's… most of what we did. I know a few other charms, though. How to inflict pain by stimulating the nerves and a nice little push spell."
    He demonstrated with few word of Arcadian – " Anaa'ma vanii !" – and the still air swirled around him. It ruffled Duaal's hair and set the napkins on the nearby table flying. Panna laughed delightedly and applauded while Gruth snarled and snatched one of the napkins in his claws.
    "Very impressive," Xen said. "And your teacher used to cast these spell through you, correct? How did he do that?"
    "I don't know," Duaal said. "It was horrible, if that helps."
    Xen's shiny silver brow furrowed. "Can you elaborate?"
    Duaal shifted uncomfortably on the couch. The attention was apparently not as pleasant as he had hoped. Xia cleared her throat and curled her antennae toward Xen.
    "That was all years ago now. Duaal was very young and probably recalls little," she said.
    Xen nodded in understanding and turned his attention on Gripper. The Arboran stood at the counter beside the cooktop, poking a serving spoon uncertainly at the thick stew. Phillip had almost managed to make it taste as though it was made of meat instead of brown protein paste.
    "And an actual alien, a species I've never seen before," Xen said. "Simply amazing."
    Gripper looked up, spoon dripping brown protein sludge onto the counter. He dropped it back into the stew and took a couple of large somatoes from the refrigerator. "Yeah, I kind of thought so, too. We had no idea there were people living on other planets either. If I ever get home, I'm not sure anyone will believe all this."
    "There's been no discovery like you in centuries," Xen said. His expression was intent. "Studying your physiology and genetics would tell us a great deal about your species and your planet."
    "Really? It would?" Gripper sat down beside Maeve. "Like what?"
    "An examination of your lungs might reveal differences in your native atmosphere. Obviously, it's close enough to CWA standard that you can breathe. But how close? And your bones will be quite telling about the gravity of your homeworld…"
    "My bones? You want to look at my bones?" Gripper looked around the room, searching for help.
    Xia came to his rescue. She touched Xen's elbow gently. "I don't think that's necessary."
    "Thank you!" breathed Gripper.
    "I took several samples when he came on board," Xia said brightly. "I've still got his complete redprint on file."
    Xen smiled. "You do? May I take a look?"
    "Now?" Gripper objected. "But we're still having dinner!"
    "I'm done eating anyway," said Xia. Xen offered his elbow. She took it with a grin.
    Panna jumped up. "Would you mind a little company? I'm curious, too."
    Xen beckoned over his shoulder. "Come along, then."
    Enu-Io and Gruth followed Panna as she chased after her teacher, leaving Phillip alone with the Blue Phoenix crew. He noticed everyone looking at him and held up his hands.
    "I'm just a geologist," he said. "I made pudding for dessert. Anyone else want some?"
    ________
     
    "She spends all day with Shorts!"
    The engine room was almost as large as the mess, but with far less space to move around. It was full of machinery, canisters, pipes, ducting, dials and controls. In the center loomed the bulky engines themselves, massive cylindrical constructs of fibersteel, copper and ceramic. They thrummed loudly, providing a mechanical backbeat to a symphony of grinding, buzzing, clunking and clanking.
    A wide workbench filled the remaining space. Pieces of a half-disassembled device lay scattered across the top. It was about as long as Maeve's arm and twice as wide, full of circuit boards and alternating green and red wires. Maeve looked around for somewhere to sit, but the room was crowded and Gripper was pacing. She stood awkwardly in the