Clarity's Edge: Technopaladin, #1

by Elizabeth Corrigan

  He nodded and pulled away, more fully this time, and cold air surrounded Clarity. He reached behind himself for the satchel containing Al. “We should go,” he said.

  Clarity nodded as she once again became aware of her surroundings. They were in the Azure District, and they didn’t belong there. As her thoughts drifted back to reality and the rest of the evening, she wondered if they belonged at the Citadel either. The sensation struck her, though, that even if they hadn’t found their true home yet, they might belong with each other.

  Cass awoke to small metallic feet walking around on his torso and kneading his shoulder. Trust Meg not to realize I’m sick was the first thought to cross his mind.

  As he came to, though, he couldn’t remember being sick. His head and throat hurt, and he felt an unaccountable pit in his stomach. As he focused on the roiling in his belly, the events of the night before came rushing back. The Azure District. Getting caught. The torture kitchen. Al. Clarity. The emotional overload that had overwhelmed him the night before threatened to overtake him once more. He took a deep breath, trying to still his quivering lip and keep the tears inside of his eyes.

  “I know you’re awake, “ Meg said. “You’re a terrible fake sleeper.” When Cass didn’t say anything, she padded over to the top of his chest, and he suspected she was trying to look him in the eyes. “What’s wrong with you? Why aren’t you making some comment about how I don’t eat and thus don’t need to wake you up before your alarm?”

  Cass opened his eyes, and sure enough, Meg’s glowing orbs took up nearly his entire field of vision. He couldn’t understand why Meg was so cheery after what had happened to Al, until he realized she must not know yet. She’d been sleeping when he’d gotten home and hadn’t seemed inclined to wake up to have a conversation. “I can’t… Do whatever you want, Meg.”

  The cat blinked and jumped off him. “Okay, now I know something’s wrong. You got home so late last night, I had to walk across campus by myself, and I haven’t seen that miserable owl anywhere. Did they finally make you take him apart?”

  The tears Cass had tried to hold back welled up in his eyes. “Not exactly, but I think he might be gone all the same.” Cass rolled out of bed and went to get the satchel he had borrowed from Clarity the night before. Clarity. He was going to have to do something about her. He had completely broken down in front of her, and though it had seemed natural at the time, in the light of the new day, he felt embarrassed for his weakness. Or at least what my father would perceive as weakness. But I can’t worry about that right now. I need to tell Meg about Al.

  “What does that mean?” Meg asked, jumping onto his desk. She stuck her head into the bag with what seemed to be famed cat curiosity, but as soon as she did, her tail stopped swishing. She backed up and looked at Cass, suddenly serious. “What happened?”

  Cass relayed the story of how Al had jumped in front of the thugs to give him a chance to escape. “And it was all for nothing, because they caught me.”

  Meg’s tail moved again, but more slowly than usual. “Not for nothing. You had no chance without him, and he gave you one. That it didn’t pan out doesn’t mean he didn’t make the right call.”

  “I can fix him,” Cass said. “His memory chip is busted, so I’ll have to use the backup, but---”

  “No.” Meg said.

  “What do you mean?” Cass asked. “Don’t you want to see Al again?”

  “Of course I do.” No trace of her usual fatuous irony laced Meg’s voice. “But Al and I discussed this a long time ago, and we decided we didn’t want to be brought back if something like this happened. Didn’t he say anything to you?”

  “Yes, but it all happened so fast, and I assumed---”

  Meg moved up to Cass and put her head under his hand. “I know you want him back, but think about it. He sacrificed himself for you, and if you recovered him from a backup, he’d have no memory of it. He wouldn’t be the Al who died. He’d be some other piece of machinery kind of like Al.”

  “I could tell him what happened,” Cass said, but his argument sounded weak to his own ears.

  “You could,” Meg said. “But the thing is, Cass, we’re not real. The closest thing we can do to becoming real is to die. If you won’t even allow us that, then we’re just the toys your father always says we are.”

  Cass sank back down onto his bed. “I can’t face it.”

  “You can.” Meg hopped up onto his lap, resuming her earlier activity of kneading and purring. This time, though, Cass got the impression she was trying to make him feel better. “I’m not going anywhere, and you need us less than you did. You have Clarity now.”

  Cass wondered if he did have Clarity. For a moment last night, he felt so perfectly in tune with her, enough that he didn’t mind breaking down in front of her. In the light of day, he had no idea how to talk to her about his emotions. He could hardly sit in tech support and pour out his heart, thought he supposed he could at least ask her out.

  Knowing he was being a coward, he decided he’d treat her normally at work. The gala was in two days. Maybe he could talk to her then.

  Chapter 22

  Clarity stood in one of the windowed alcoves overlooking the courtyard of the Grand Hall and felt ridiculous. She couldn’t deny the dress Zelba had provided at the last minute was gorgeous, but she had not expected it to be so poofy. The blue, sequined bodice hugged her torso in a perfect fit, but the skirt pooled out around her in an amazing arrangement of sparkles and lace in a delicate fabric Clarity didn’t know the name of. With her hair swept into a curled updo with barrettes that matched the dress, she looked like nothing so much as a fairy tale princess. And if there’s one thing I’m not, she had thought to herself several times that evening, it’s a fairy tale princess.

  The girl in a story would have had a handsome prince escort her to the gala, but Clarity had not even realized she was supposed to have a date until that afternoon. She had been in Hope’s suite, where the future Visionary and self-proclaimed girly-girl had helped Clarity with her hair and make-up when the issue had come up.

  “Is your date picking you up here or at your place?” Hope had asked while applying Clarity’s lipstick. “Who are you going with, anyway? I’ve seen you so rarely lately, I don’t think you’ve said.”

  Clarity didn’t know what her face did at the question, but she moved suddenly and sufficiently enough that Hope had to pull out the cotton swabs to remove the lipstick from Clarity’s cheek. “I’m supposed to have a date? I didn’t know that! You said I needed a dress! You never said anything about a date!”

  “Honestly, Clarity,” Zeal had said. “I don’t understand how you can be so obtuse about some things.” Zeal, it seemed, had strongarmed one of her coworkers into escorting her, and Hope had a date with the governor’s daughter, Adeline. The two had met at one of the political functions both were expected to attend and had hit it off. Hope had apparently been thrilled when Adeline had asked her to the gala, and Clarity had known nothing about it.

  The one bright spot in Clarity’s day had occurred before she had gotten ready for the ball. She had visited Mercy at the medical facility, and the doctor had declared her ankle sound enough to walk on. She wasn’t supposed to stand on it very long---like, say, the length of a gala---and she wanted nothing more than to go sit in one of the chairs on the side of the Grand Hall. Unfortunately, sitting on one of the backed chairs would risk ruining Zelba’s dress. Better to ruin the ankle. It will heal again.

  She watched the events of the ballroom play out in front of her. The space itself, on the third floor of the Grand Hall, would have been cavernous if empty, but full it simply seemed extravagant. Windows lined every side of the room, providing views of both the Citadel grounds and the city in the distance. Finely dressed wait staff carried trays full of hors d’oeuvres to paladins and the elite of Londigium society, all of whom wore custom couture. The women praised eac
h other’s gowns, while the men pretended they were not talking politics. Everyone looked perfect and choreographed, and Clarity felt more out of place than she had in Garrett’s kitchen.

  “Well, hello there, dear.”

  Clarity turned to see a pair of women in complementing amber gowns approaching her. She recognized the dark-haired one with the wary expression as Tenacity, but she needed a moment to place the other. When she recognized the auburn-haired woman, she nodded her head and made a half bow, which she belatedly realized should probably have been a curtsey. “Visionary. It’s an honor.”

  “Oh, there’s no need to stand on ceremony. We’re all equal in the Order of the Amethyst Star. It’s Clarity, is it not?” Clarity’s shock at the Visionary’s recognizing her must have shown on her face, because the older woman laughed. “I know all the paladins, dear. I named them, after all. How is the order suiting you?”

  “It suits me well, thank you,” Clarity said with a bob of her head. She might have been having her doubts recently, but she wasn’t going to express them to the Visionary at the gala, even if she had the strange impression the woman might understand.

  “When she’s not leading my best tech off on some hare-brained adventure,” Tenacity said without malice.

  “I’m sure her plans are wiser than you know,” the Visionary said. “It’s lovely to meet you now that you’re grown. I hope you continue to live up to the potential I saw in you as a child.”

  “I shall try,” Clarity said, wondering if the Visionary had seen her break the laws. As the women turned away, Clarity thought of something Grace had said to her. “Visionary?”

  The Visionary looked back at her. “Yes?”

  Clarity could feel heat rising to her face. “It’s not important, really. I was just wondering if, by any chance, you happened to remember the name I had before I became a paladin.”

  The Visionary’s face softened. “I’m sorry, dear, but I’m afraid I don’t.”

  Clarity wasn’t sure which surprised her more, the flash of pain on the Visionary’s face or the fact that she knew the older woman had lied. But the gala was not the place for uncomfortable confrontations. Clarity would have plenty of time later to think about how to handle the situation. “Thank you anyway,” she said, and the women walked away.

  A waiter walked by with a tray of champagne, and Clarity swiped a glass and took a sip. She didn’t usually like to drink alcohol---she preferred to remain clear-headed---but she supposed one flute at a gala wouldn’t hurt and might help with her nerves. She had barely had time to take her second sip when a dark-haired figure in a bright pink dress ran up to her.

  “Charity! It is Charity, right?” Clarity needed a moment to place the adorable features, but the wrong name helped clue her in that she was talking to Remy from the library.

  “It’s actually---”

  “Oh, I’m so glad you’re here!” Remy spun around in a circle. “I’ve wanted to thank you for over a week, but I had no idea where to find you, and you didn’t come back to the library!”

  “You’re welcome,” Clarity said with a smile. “But what did you want to thank me for?”

  “For your help with my research on the origins of the order, of course!” Remy bounced up and down on her toes, seemingly unable to stand still for more than a few seconds at a time. “You started me thinking about the Azure District, and they had some fascinating theories when the paladins first appeared. They thought the paladin technology came from a source of great evil, but from what I’m gathering, it more came from an epic war between the forces of good and evil. The paladins were the good side, of course, and from what I can tell, the war predates the technology.”

  “That’s very interesting,” Clarity said.

  Remy didn’t seem to notice the veneer of politeness over Clarity’s words. “Isn’t it? I’d be happy to show you my research any time. Just stop by the library!”

  Clarity suspected the young woman was about to bounce away as quickly as she had come, and Clarity found herself wanting Remy to keep her company for a bit longer. “So why are you at the gala? I didn’t think students were invited.”

  “Oh, usually we’re not,” Remy said. “But occasionally some of the Families bring their older students. In my case, my father wants me to learn to network, because I’m going to be the Historian someday. My mother thinks if I go to galas, I’ll suddenly be interested in boys. Or girls. Girls would also be fine.”

  “You’re not?” Clarity asked.

  “Not even a little bit. No falling in love for me.” The girl wrinkled her nose. “Research is so much more interesting. My mother will simply have to satisfy herself with one Saito sister carrying on the glory of the Families. Everyone knows Chrissy’s going to marry Cass Hughes one of these days.”

  Clarity froze. “Really?”

  “Of course. They’ve been together forever. On-again, off-again lately, I guess, but it’s not like there are many options among the Families. I like Cass well enough. I mean, I wouldn’t marry him, but I could have a worse brother-in-law.” Remy seemed to notice something over Clarity’s shoulder. “Oh, there’s Effervescence! I need to talk to him about something. It was lovely to see you, Charity. And thank you again!” Remy darted off into the crowd.

  Clarity stared after Remy, not focusing on the girl but on her words, namely that she thought Cass was going to marry her sister. A lot of things fell into place for Clarity, or more started falling over like dominoes hit with a wrecking ball. Cass Hughes hadn’t given her the time of day until two weeks ago, and everything he had done for or with her since then could have had some other motivation than wanting to spend time with her. She’d forced herself into his tech support sessions, and he wanted to help the dying children in the Azure District. Even the night they met with Garrett, he had probably only broken down in front of her because she was there, not because he felt a special connection between them. The fact that he had gone back to his usual, friendly-enough demeanor in the two days since should have told her what Remy’s revelation had---Cass Hughes didn’t belong to her.

  Someone tapped Clarity on her shoulder, and she spun around to see Cass standing there. Unlike everyone else in their finery, she needed no time to recognize him, possibly because he was the only paladin she knew of with a mechanical arm, but more because she had become so used to his face. She supposed if she were some ordinary girl with a crush, the sight of him in his formal tuxedo with a navy bow tie and matching cummerbund would have made her swoon. But she wasn’t about to lose her senses for a man who belonged to someone else, even if she couldn’t stop staring into his eyes.

  “Hi,” he said, seeming a bit awkward. “You look nice. And no more crutches, I see. I half-expected you to show up to the gala in your armor.”

  Clarity let out a tinkling laugh she was sure didn’t reach her eyes. “I was told in no uncertain terms that would not be appropriate.”

  Cass winced. “Zeal, then. I don’t think she knows how to speak in uncertain terms.”

  “Well, Hope was there, too, but she was much nicer about it.” Clarity took a sip of her champagne, just for something to do.

  “Right.” Cass rubbed his hands against his pants. “So I wanted to ask you---”

  “Cass!” Before Cass could finish his sentence, the most beautiful woman Clarity had ever seen moved across the floor faster than Clarity would have been able to in heels that high. She linked her arm in Cass’s. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you!”

  Cass leaned over and kissed the woman’s cheek. “It’s been too long, Chrissy.”

  Clarity paused mid-inhale. So this was Chrissy Saito, Remy’s sister and the alleged love of Cass’s life. Her silky, black hair was swept up in a severe but stunning updo, and her slinky, navy dress matched the accents on Cass’s tux. Of course, Clarity thought. He must have invited her to the gala.

  “Have you met C
larity?” Cass asked.

  “I don’t believe so.” Chrissy reached out a hand. “Charmed, I’m sure.” Her almond-shaped, brown eyes were cool.

  Clarity missed a beat before passing her champagne flute to her other hand so she could shake. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  Chrissy squeezed Cass’s arm. “You won’t mind if I steal Cass away, will you? The night is so short, and I need to introduce him to so many people. Families business. I’m sure you understand.” She didn’t wait for Clarity to respond before pulling on Cass’s arm and heading away. Cass gave Clarity an apologetic look but didn’t resist the intervention, which told Clarity all she needed to know.

  “You didn’t have to be so rude to Clarity,” Cass said as he let Chrissy drag him off to whomever she wanted him to meet.

  “I was rescuing you, silly.” Chrissy looked back at him with her beautiful smile. He had missed her. He hadn’t been lying about that. The fact that he’d wanted to keep talking to Clarity was beside the point. “I didn’t want you to be stuck in the corner with some no-name warrior for the whole gala.”

  Right. We hate warriors. Their distaste for the meatheads at the top of the paladin order was what had brought them together in the first place. They’d needed to band together against the other kids at school. But Cass had gotten to know Clarity, and he had to admit at least one warrior wasn’t terrible. Maybe Tenacity’s right, and it’s time to give up on school grudges. That didn’t mean letting go of Chrissy, though. She had been his lifeline through school, and he wasn’t ever going to forget that.

  “Clarity’s not a no-name,” Cass found himself saying. “She beat my brother out for the position at the Citadel.”

  “Well, that explains why you give her the time of day. She got that monster of a brother out of your hair.” Chrissy stopped walking and turned around to face him. He got the impression she found his appearance lacking. She reached out and straightened his bow tie. “I suppose you’re as good as you’re going to get. Honestly, Cass, do you ever think about getting a more fashionable haircut?”