“Your mother should have taught you better manners when dealing with your elders.” Andy stood, stretched her legs, and retrieved her walking stick from the corner. “Now I’m ready.” Her long gray hair must be a frightful mess, but there was nothing to be done about it at the moment.
“This way, ma’am.” Mr. Leak led the way out of the room and down a long hall, and the guard fell in behind them, his hand on the hilt of the curved knife hanging from his belt.
The hall had been hung with tapestries, and every few feet a luthiel lamp lit the passageway with its golden glow. From somewhere ahead the aroma of something delicious invaded her senses, smelling far better than the gruel she had been served.
Mr. Leak took her down a long spiral stairway, flanked by not one but two guards.
Andy smiled to herself, ignoring the dull ache in her broken arm. What did they think she was, a ninja? Not that they’d have any idea what that was, not anymore. The guards were probably all of twenty years old—young whelps compared to her or even her own children.
They led her down a long hall. They reached a large set of double doors, and Mr. Leak knocked on one of them.
“Enter.”
One of the guards, a tall dark-haired boy who couldn’t have been more than eighteen, opened the doors and gestured for her and Mr. Leak to go inside.
“Thank you.” Andy patted his hand.
He stared at her, then broke into a grin. “You’re welcome, ma’am.”
“What’s your name, son?”
“Lor, ma’am.”
“Thank you, Lor.” Andy nodded to herself. It never hurt to be nice to the little guys.
She stopped, planting her walking stick in front of her and sweeping the room with her gaze. She stood at the head of a long table in a large, dimly lit space full of shadowy alcoves. A candelabra burned in the middle of the table, which was clad in a rich-looking wine-red tablecloth.
Della sat at the far end, picking from a plate overflowing with wonderful-smelling food.
Next to her, a man in a guard’s uniform fancier than the rest, with epaulets and golden embroidery in his shirt, sat uncomfortably, staring down at his own plate. Galen Hart, captain of the Darlith city guard. That explained a lot.
“Welcome.” Della waved at the chair on Andy’s end of the table. “Please, sit. Lizbeth, bring Andy a plate. Poor thing didn’t get much to eat earlier.”
“No, thank you. I’d rather stand.”
Della stared at her. “As you wish. If you starve, it won’t be by my hand.”
Andy snorted.
“What was that?” Della’s hand slipped to the table, setting down her wine goblet.
“Just thinking about how far you’ve come since you lived at the Schoolhouse.”
“Yes, I have come up in the world.”
Andy sniffed. “I didn’t say up.”
Della’s eyes burned. Still, she put on a treacly sweet smile and stood. “Gentlemen, please leave us alone. I have something to discuss with Ms. Hammond that requires privacy.”
The Ms. was a dagger, stuck into Andy’s heart.
She closed her eyes. Shandra, give me strength.
“You too, sweetheart.” She leaned in to kiss Galen’s cheek. “I’ll be along in a few.”
Galen nodded. He shot Andy a quick glance that was hard to read. Regret, maybe?
As he left the room, she steeled herself for what was to come.
Della approached, her hand trailing along the tablecloth. “I don’t think you’ve quite realized what’s happening here.” She leaned back against the heavy table, her eyes fixed on Andy’s.
“Why don’t you enlighten me, then?” She probably should have been frightened, but she still remembered Delancy as a little girl, remembered how she would puff herself up when she knew she was wrong, flinging excuse after excuse at her accuser.
This was no different. Though this Della might order her killed.
I’ve lived a good life.
“The world is changing. We are no longer limited by our past.”
“We are always limited by our past. Some of us are just too stupid to realize it.”
Della scowled. “Old Earth is a lie told to scare children. Moving forward, we will create a new world, a new way of living.”
Andy shook her head. “You’re just like them, you know. You just can’t see it.”
“Like who?” Della cocked her head.
“Like the fools on Old Earth who brought upon the Collapse.”
Della scoffed at her. “Old Earth. There was no Old Earth. It’s just a fairy tale invented by people like you to tell the younger generation what we’re supposed to think.”
“Younger? Della, you’re sixty-three. Do you even know anyone in the younger generation?” She snorted. “They’re not like you or me. They already are the change that’s coming.”
“Enough!” Della stood, towering over her. “You have no idea what you’re talking about. You live out in the wilderness, in your little Estate all alone. Do you really think you have any idea what happens here? How people like me have had to crawl on our knees and beg for every scrap of food, every bit of coin we have.” She held up her hand, showing off a gold ring. “See this? This is power. This is what I have taken from all the rich fools who didn’t think I could win. Now they shower me with it.”
She sought to stir fear in Andy’s heart, but all Andy saw was Della as the little girl who’d come running to her when she’d fallen and skinned her knee. Who had crawled into bed with her and Shandra, crying for her mother. Whose pride had been wounded by one of the other kids. Any of a thousand other times she had sought Andy’s approval.
She reached up with her good arm and touched Della’s cheek. “I am so sorry, Del. I should have taken better care of you. I should have kept track of you when you left the Schoolhouse. So many terrible things happened to you. I should have been there.”
That was what Della wanted now. Needed. Comfort and love. Which Andy could give to her—felt compelled to give her.
And affirmation. Which Andy could not.
For a second, Della’s composure cracked, and Andy thought that maybe, just maybe, she’d broken through.
Then Della broke into a smile, but there was no kindness in her eyes. “Not so easy to erase decades of neglect, is it?” She brushed Andy’s hand aside. “I need your help. I am looking for one of the Liminal kids. Nothing much. Street rat, really. But he keeps slipping through my grasp.”
“I can’t help you.”
“Can’t… or won’t?” Della loomed over her, but Andy stood her ground.
“Can’t. And won’t. I won’t help you capture any of my kids. But even if I wanted to, I couldn’t. My abilities… they aren’t what they used to be.”
“One of the guards said you were talking to the world mind, out on the square.”
“I was, but that was through a direct connection. Through the world wood of the Earth sculpture you so recklessly burned to the ground.”
Della hissed. “There must be another way for you to reach Aine.”
“Not without another Liminal to help.” Andy regretted it as soon as it slipped out.
A grin creased Della’s face. “That I can arrange.” She strode to the closed doors. “Arnold, please escort Ms. Hammond back to her room.”
The doors opened, and Mr. Leak appeared.
“I’m ready to go back to my room.” She spoke before Della could. Keep your dignity.
“I’ll send for you again when I have what you require.” Della sighed. “I didn’t want it to be like this between us.”
Andy didn’t turn. “Then change it.”
Arnold led her back to her room and bolted the door behind him.
Only then did she let her nerves show, collapsing onto the bed in a heap of frayed exhaustion.
Chapter Eight: Plan
AINE REVIEWED her genetic file, letting her consciousness sweep through it and break it into a million pieces, assimilating it in a world�
��s breath.
It was as perfect as she could make it, a further refinement of Dr. Anatov’s original work.
It was divided into three parts, each of which would be seeded with a new mind. Together they would become the new caretakers of the world.
Aine would teach them, guide them through their adolescence. Help them to reach the virtual immortality that had somehow eluded her and her own forbearers.
Three minds suited to the world mind’s vast reach and abilities.
Satisfied that her design was complete, she sent it off to her most secret heart, the place where she could create new life. In a month, the new seed would be ready, and she would germinate it to eventually take her place.
Then, one day soon, she could rest.
BELYNN TOOK Thierry’s hand and guided him to a chair in the corner of the kitchen. “It’s time to introduce you to Aine.”
“Aine?” His eyes went wide, and he gulped. “Aine, the world mind?” The poor kid was shaking.
“Yes. She won’t bite.”
He shook his head. “It’s not that. I… I told her to go away.”
Belynn laughed. “She told me.”
“So she’s not mad?”
“No. Mostly curious. Not many people can do that to the world mind.” She pulled up a chair and sat in front of him, then took his hands in hers. “Close your eyes.”
He did as he was told. “Will it hurt?”
“No.” Belynn reached for Aine. How many times had she done that the last few years, only to be rebuffed? It seemed Aine really had decided to rejoin humankind.
The room vanished, and she and Thierry were standing on a snowy mountain peak. The rest of the world fell away beneath them, the sky a deep blue. Wind whipped up snowflakes in small gusts, creating silver sparkles under the moonlight.
The moon itself hung huge overhead, surrounded by stars.
Thierry let go of her hand and looked around. “What is this place?”
“One of Aine’s havens, I believe. The places she goes when she needs a break.” Belynn had never been to this particular realm before either.
“Where is Aine?”
As if in response to the boy’s question, the wind picked up again and the snow rose from the slopes below, each gleaming flake spinning around the others. They formed a vortex that sped up the mountain toward them, until suddenly they solidified into Aine’s current aspect.
She was beautiful—tall and sleek, her face a deep tan, her green eyes sparkling. She glowed with life. “Welcome back, Belynn.”
“I could say the same to you.”
She was no longer Andy and Shandra. It was clear that she had evolved into something new, beyond humankind. There was a deep sadness etched in her eyes. “I see you brought someone to see me.”
Thierry was hiding behind Belynn, staring at Aine but apparently unwilling to talk to her.
“Come on out. I won’t bite.” Aine held out her hand.
Thierry looked up at Belynn, who nodded.
He stepped out cautiously into Aine’s light.
She knelt and touched his cheek.
He closed his eyes, and his head drooped.
“Don’t hurt him!” Belynn felt very protective of the boy. She and Destiny had no kids of their own, and there was something about Thierry that made her want to keep him safe.
“I won’t. I’m just seeing what kind of man he is.”
She let go, and Thierry looked up at her, then at Belynn. “She’s… beautiful.”
Belynn nodded.
Aine put her hand on his cheek. “Thierry, you are special. You have a gift. It’s something you can use for great good or to cause great harm.” She touched his cheek again, and he looked up into her green eyes. “You have a good soul, but others may try to change you. To use you.”
“I don’t want to hurt anyone.”
“I know. Your mother loved you very much, you know.”
“You… you knew her?”
Aine laughed, and the sound was musical. “No. But I saw her in your mind.”
Thierry sighed. “I miss her. Things were good when we were together.”
She nodded. “But don’t worry. You’re strong. Things will be good for you again, I promise it.”
“Really?” His eyes sparkled.
“Yes.” She opened her arms, and he flung himself into them.
She held him tight for a long moment.
Belynn watched the two of them, wondering what it would be like to be so unmoored, to have lost both of her parents at such a young age.
Finally Aine let him go. “You call me whenever you need me.”
He nodded. “I will.”
She stood and turned to Belynn. “Any news?”
“Destiny found Andy.” Belynn put her arm around Thierry’s shoulder, squeezing him tightly.
“Good. What are you going to do?”
Belynn thought back to all the lessons Andy had given her in vee. All the things she had seen and learned.
“I have an idea, but we’ll need Andy to make it work, and you too. I’m going to need as many Liminals as you can gather.”
“IT HAS to be me.” Destiny put ser foot down, literally.
Thierry scrambled out of the way.
Belynn laid her hand on ser cheek. “I don’t like it.”
“I’m the only one who can do this. You know it. Plus you’re too valuable. Della knows who you are.” Se looked Belynn in the eye. That look. The obstinate one that brooked no argument. “You know I’m right.”
Belynn growled. “I still don’t have to like it.” She put her forehead against Destiny’s. “Dammit, I don’t want to lose you.”
Destiny laughed. “It’s your plan—have a little confidence!” Se pulled Belynn’s hand into ser own. “Besides, it’s a good one. If we’re going to change the course of this river, we have to try something big.” Though sometimes it seemed less a river than a vast sea whose surge threatened to overwhelm them.
Destiny loved Belynn with a fury that surprised ser. With ser own damaged past, se’d been afraid to trust anyone with the core of who se was.
They’d run into each other at random one day at the Market and had gotten embrew at the River Bend Café to catch up.
Se’d invited Belynn to stay with ser, and somehow, over the course of the next week, they’d just clicked.
Of course, se’d always had a crush on Belynn, since the day they’d met.
Of course, Destiny hadn’t told her that until much later.
The last few years had only deepened things between them. “I’ll be okay. I’m tough, remember?” Se held out ser hands, and Belynn pressed her palms against sers, a gesture Destiny had stolen from Kiryn. An understanding passed between them.
“Oh, I remember.” Belynn looked at the boys. “We’ll go in the early morning, then. It’s late enough already.” She turned to the boys. “Think you two can manage your parts?”
Thierry nodded. “I… I think so.” He closed his eyes, and sparkles appeared in the air between them.
Destiny laughed. “I’m beginning to see why Andy wanted you.” Belynn was good with kids. Maybe the whole teacher thing wasn’t such a bad idea.
Belynn looked at Skate. “You ready?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Mamma always said ‘the truth will out.’ This time, it just needs a little help. Come on, boys. Let’s get you washed up and off to bed.”
Destiny smiled. “I’ll be along in a bit.”
“Don’t stay up too late.” Belynn kissed ser cheek.
“I won’t.” Destiny watched them go and then made ser way to the front of the house, where a wide-open window looked out on the roadway below.
The lamplighters had lit the lamps up and down the cobblestone-paved street, and their golden glow made little pools of light at regular intervals.
Above, the spindle glowed silver, faint but visible in the middle of the sky.
It seemed so normal, such an everyday night. No hint of
the turmoil that had occurred or the storms still to come.
Ally appeared on the street below carrying a bag of something and soon reached the front door.
Destiny went to meet her as she came up the stairs.
Ally reached the second floor and turned, perhaps feeling Destiny’s eyes on her. She entered the room hesitantly, hovering at the doorway. “Hey.”
“Hey there.”
“I’m sorry… for what I said earlier. Not about the leaving. I still think it’s best. But… I know we homonormals must seem like such a bitter bunch to you.”
“Sit for a minute with me?” Destiny moved from the windowsill to light the small luthiel lantern on the side table and then sat in one of the chairs.
Ally set down her bag and took the other seat.
“I hate that word,” Destiny said at last, staring at ser long, tapered fingernails.
Ally cocked her head. “Homonormal?”
Destiny nodded. “It’s so… clinical. And judgmental. You aren’t ‘normal.’ I’m not ‘normal.’ Each of us is different from anyone else. And we’re all just people.”
Ally nodded. “I suppose you’re right. But you have to admit, Liminals can do things the rest of us can’t.”
“Maybe so. But don’t we all have our own skills? I suck at sports. Poor Belynn can’t sing without scaring the birds. You… you’re an amazing engineer.”
“That’s different—”
“Maybe. Maybe not. My point is that we aren’t all the same. But it’s those differences that make us all human. Not Liminal. Not homonormal. Just human.”
Ally was shaking.
“Are you scared of me?” Destiny had never thought of serself as particularly frightening. Quite the contrary. Se was quiet, easygoing.
“No. Maybe. I don’t know.” She looked away, her hand on her mouth. “All my life I’ve grown up around… people like you. My friends. Even some of my family.” She took a deep breath and fixed her gaze on Destiny. “They say Liminals want to take over. That they want to make us all like them. Or make us slaves.”
Destiny sighed. “Does that sound like any of the Liminals you know?”
Ally thought about it. “No. Not really.” She shook her head. “It’s just… it’s too much power for one person to have.”
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