Shaman's Curse
Page 16
I tried to pull myself back into some semblance of togetherness. Regalis had obviously filled her in—I hadn’t sent a written report this time. “As part of its vacuuming algorithm, the Harmonium technology seeks out unorganized or passive energies. It apparently mistakes weak sensitives and psychics for galactic dust bunnies.”
She frowned. “Because they don’t have enough strength to build a decent shield? Regalis didn’t speak of this.”
He would have been more concerned about the nodes. “I believe he considers them acceptable collateral damage.”
She made a note on her tablet, her face absolutely neutral. “I will take care of it.”
My fury reared its still-angry head. “Training won’t be enough. The Harmonium algorithm will need to be adjusted, and they won’t be happy about that.”
She looked up at me, and for just a moment, the stiff neutrality on her face wavered and I saw a fury that at least matched mine. “I will take care of it, Journeywoman. Properly, and with full respect for the millions of people involved.”
Her math was definitely different than Regalis’s. And I should have known that. In fifteen years, I had only known her to be cruel to one person.
The image of Tatiana’s dirt-streaked cheeks flowed into my spirit web. Soothing. The universe was acting. The golden child would never be alone again. I swallowed and got my mind back where it needed to be. “Thank you.”
She laid her palms on her desk. “Now. Tell me what you did to the nodes.”
I met her gaze firmly. “What Regalis doesn’t know is that the nodes are interested in the Harmonium tech, or more precisely, in the vacuumed energies it discards.”
I saw it—the moment horror landed in her bones. “They’re pollution. That would destroy the nodes.”
Relief flooded through me, even as I spoke to the horror. She understood. “Yes. It would poison them. I believe Regalis also considers that acceptable collateral damage. He spoke of things at stake I couldn’t possibly understand.”
Her eyes flashed. “He never should have burdened you with that knowledge.”
Mine flashed back. She hadn’t been surprised by my words. “I asked for it.”
Her eyes closed, and she deflated a hair. “Of course you did.”
The stars might have wanted me there, but it was Yesenia Mayes who had sent me—and I was no longer in any doubt about where she stood. She had Traveled right through the great mother’s heart. “I’ve made it impossible for the nodes to be used. By the Harmonium tech, by Regalis, or by anything or anyone that scares him.”
She studied me, quiet and still and almost perplexed. “But you didn’t let them be poisoned.” She paused a long moment, and then the faintest of smiles dawned on her face. “You’ve locked them.”
I did the last math I needed to do—and chose to trust her as a grandmother. As a sister. As a daughter. “To most. If you ever have need of the nodes, find a Quixali spirit walker.” I glanced at the spot on her floor where the rug used to be. “Or a Wanderer, if you happen to know one.”
Her eyes were huge, dark lasers. “Raven, what have you done?”
The words rose in me, the ones I’d spent my whole life preparing to say. “I have served.”
Thank You
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One more book in this series, and yes, it will be Tatiana’s. To know when Daughter’s Need is out, head to audreyfayewrites.com and sign up for my New Releases email list. You can also find me on Facebook. And if you’ve been kind enough to write Raven a review, please read this note :).
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Audrey