The Shoreless Sea

by J. Scott Coatsworth

  Destiny nodded. “It can be. Power… it can make you do things. But most of us aren’t like that. Most people aren’t like that.” Ser voice dropped to a whisper. “We’re not all Davian.” Se got up and touched Ally’s shoulder. “Don’t worry. We’re leaving in the morning, as requested.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “I know. I know you are.” Destiny left the room, looking for Belynn and the boys. “I am too.”

  DELLA PROWLED the halls of the Residence. It was so much nicer than the hovel where she’d lived for years, when she’d been forced to make her living as a cleaning woman for people who lived in houses like this.

  Not that she was bitter about it.

  The walls of the Residence were lined with tapestries, some of them in beautiful patterns and colors, others celebrating the history of Forever. All had been hand-woven by local artisans in Darlith, or so Arnold had assured her.

  The floors were smooth-sanded mallowood, buffed to a high sheen, cool against her bare feet.

  She stood outside the door to the room where she was holding Andy.

  The guard nodded at her. “Did you want to—?”

  She shook her head, her long silver hair twisting in the breeze that flowed down the corridor. She’d woken from a dark dream. In her nightgown and without any makeup, she was sure she was a fright. “I was just getting a little air.”

  He nodded and went back to his impassive stance.

  She felt a twinge of guilt, holding her once-mentor against her will.

  Andy didn’t understand. She couldn’t see that the world was changing. That the rules of Old Earth—if it had existed at all, and she was still uncertain about that, despite her public stance—were no longer relevant.

  The spoils went to the victors, and she was the victor. This city was hers to run as she pleased.

  There was a general discontent in the world, an unspoken sense that something had been lost and that the Liminals were the ones who had taken it.

  Is it my fault that I saw it first and took action? Della reached the stairwell and padded down and across the entry hall to the back of the building. She opened the double doors to the courtyard and stepped outside.

  It was a beautiful night without a cloud in sight. Above, the spindle gleamed a pale silver.

  She was the chosen one. She was the one Lilith had picked to be her initial vessel and the one whom the city had chosen to lead them into a new future.

  Lilith had been batshit crazy, but she hadn’t been wrong about one thing.

  Della would change the world, and they would all bow down to her and thank her for it.

  After a few moments under the night’s calming silver light, she returned to bed.

  This time she slept like a baby.

  Chapter Nine: The Call

  AINE SET aside her project for the moment. It would keep. Even now, the new seed was germinated and growing in her pool and would reach maturity soon.

  At the moment, though, her friends needed her help.

  She brought herself together, the pieces of her consciousness fluttering like butterflies up to the top of her mountain, settling into the silver-white glow of the snow to become Aine.

  She took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and reached.

  IN HER barn on the Verge, Marissa wiped her forehead and pulled off her heavy work gloves. She was sixty-three, and at her age the farm was starting to be more work than she and Matt could handle, and Colin had long since flown the coop.

  The newborn calf lay on a pile of hay, looking up at her with big brown eyes.

  It had been a difficult labor, and the mother was half asleep on her feet. Poor thing. Birthing a child was hard work.

  The calf struggled to its feet, falling twice, but then it eventually managed to stand. It walked over to its mother on shaky legs and suckled on her udder, taking its first sip of mother’s milk.

  “Why do you always have to give birth in the middle of the night?” She addressed the comment to Dory, but it was intended for the whole barn.

  Dory stared back at her, then turned away, chewing contentedly on a mouthful of hay.

  Marissa laughed. One of these days they’d sell the farm and move into town. Probably Micavery.

  Andy needs you.

  Aine’s call hit her like a blow, and she staggered back against the wall of the barn. Aine? What happened?

  Della has her.

  In a moment, Marissa knew everything she needed to know, though in reality “Andy needs you” would have been enough.

  I’ll come.

  There’s not enough time. But be ready. Marissa could hear the distress in Aine’s voice.

  I will.

  ANDY NEEDS you.

  On the road heading north out of Darlith toward Thyre, Terrik Tanner pulled his horse to a halt in the darkness and cocked his head. Aine?

  Yes.

  He nodded and turned his mount around, though his fear urged him to continue on. I will come.

  SOUTH OF Darlith, a middle-aged woman named Tara White was hidden inside a wooden stagecoach as it creaked its way along the hard-packed southern road toward the Anatov Mountains.

  Andy needs you.

  She sat up, looking around at the interior of the stagecoach. It must have been her imagination. She’d been drowsing off, dreaming about the Schoolhouse, Andy and Shandra, and the life they’d had there. And before that… Agartha. So many years ago.

  Then it came again. Andy needs you.

  Aine? It had been so long since she’d heard from the world mind. Since she had heard from Andy, for that matter.

  Yes. Andy needs you. The explanation blossomed in her mind.

  Tara nodded. I’ll be there.

  She banged on the door of the stagecoach. “Turn around. I need to go back.”

  HIDDEN IN an attic in a small house in Darlith’s New Town, Jezabel and Jerrel slept fitfully.

  Jezebel dreamed of fire, a terrible fire that would consume them all. It burned in the center of Earth Square, hot on her face as she started to sweat. To melt….

  She sat up in bed with a gasp. There was a voice whispering in her head.

  Andy needs you.

  Jerrel sat up and stared at her in the dim light that entered through the vent from the spindle outside. “Who’s Belynn?” He rubbed his eyes.

  “Shhh.” We’ll come.

  KIRYN LAY back, his heart racing, feeling warm and alive.

  Next to him, Dax signed, “Still got it.”

  Kiryn laughed. “Never said you didn’t.” It had been a long day, and Belynn had him worried. He’d needed the release.

  Andy needs you. Aine’s voice rang through his head.

  He sat bolt upright in bed.

  “What is it?” Dax’s eyes unfocused. “Oh.”

  We will be ready. He was always ready to help Belynn when she needed him.

  “What does it mean?” Dax hugged his knees, his hair unkempt but still somehow adorable.

  Kiryn was already out of bed, pulling on his pants. “I don’t know. Something big. We have to go.”

  Dax nodded. “Of course. I’ll pack a bag.”

  “Can we take the balloon?” Dax had taken a job shipping goods back and forth between the outpost town and Darlith.

  “I have a shipment ready to go for the morning. I don’t see why we can’t leave early….”

  Kiryn leaned forward and kissed Dax’s cheek. “I love you.”

  Dax grinned. “What was that for?”

  “Because you never run away.”

  AINE OPENED her eyes. She’d done what she could—all the Liminals she could reach were ready to help.

  Now she just had to wait.

  ANDY WOKE to a soft tapping on her door.

  “Come in.” She expected Della, or maybe Lizbeth, though it was dark outside. Too early for breakfast.

  Instead, it was the guard who had opened the door for her into Della’s dining room. Lor.

  He looked around as if afraid to be seen and the
n stepped into the room, closed the door quietly behind him.

  Andy sat up, staring at him. She ran a hand through her rat’s nest of hair, wishing she didn’t look like someone who had passed the last night sleeping underneath a bridge. “Good morning.”

  He pulled something out of his pocket and handed it to her. “I’m so sorry about the way she is treating you.”

  Andy unwrapped the paper. It was a red berry tart, a bit squished and crumpled, but delicious-smelling nonetheless.

  “Thank you. That was very kind of you.” She nibbled at it, closed her eyes, and hummed in delight. It was every bit as good as it smelled. “Are you supposed to be bringing me this, Lor?”

  He shook his head. “No, ma’am. But my uncle’s a Liminal. It’s just not right, the way she’s treating you. I can help you get out of here. Just give me a couple hours—”

  She put a hand on his arm. “It’s okay. I’m supposed to be here.”

  “Excuse me, ma’am?” His eyes went wide. “I don’t understand.”

  She laughed. “Honestly, I don’t understand it either. But I’ve been led to believe that there’s a reason for it.” She took another bite. Red juice ran down her chin. She wiped it with the back of her hand. “What’s your uncle’s name?”

  “Tim.”

  “Tim Pierce?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Andy laughed. “I know him. He’s a good kid—good man.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Yes, Andy. Please. ‘Ma’am’ is for old ladies.”

  He grinned. “Yes, ma… Andy.”

  She squeezed his shoulder with her good hand. “You’d better run along before they see you’re missing from your post.”

  “I… I will.” He looked lost. He probably hadn’t expected her to refuse rescuing.

  “And thank you for the tart. It really helps.”

  He grinned at her in relief. “If you need anything else… Andy, just let me know.” Then he backed out of the door, closing it again behind him.

  Andy stared at the closed door for a long moment and smiled. It was nice to know there was still good in the world.

  Then she went back to finishing her tart and settled back into bed to try to sleep.

  THIERRY YAWNED. He had been awake, practicing with Belynn and Destiny, for two long hours. He was tired.

  They had worked on linking with one another and doing all the things they would have to do in the square, in order to pull off the plan.

  On the one hand, it was exciting—the chance to use his abilities in a new way, with others like him, for the first time.

  On the other hand, he was exhausted. He’d had a long day and very little sleep.

  Ally watched him warily from the far side of the kitchen, leaning back in the corner and sipping on a red ceramic cup full of embrew. She had fed them in silence in the dim light of a luthiel lamp, shushing him when he tried to speak.

  So he’d reached for her. I really am sorry.

  She’d jumped and spilled half her embrew. “Don’t do that!”

  “Sorry!” He’d backed off.

  Her husband, Sander, had come in late, said a terse hello, and then had gone off to bed. He didn’t seem to want them there any more than Ally did.

  Belynn tousled his hair. “I think you’ve got it. Ally, we’ll be out of your hair now.”

  “I wish it wasn’t—”

  “It’s okay.” Belynn hugged her friend. “Can we leave our things here for the day?”

  “Of course. It’s the least I can do.” She blushed, realizing what she’d just said. “I mean—”

  “I know. I’m so sorry we had to involve you.” Belynn let go. “Come on, guys.” She’d cut her hair short and wore one of Destiny’s loose-fitting T-shirts. The boys were cleaned up and looked almost respectable, the opposite of their usual selves.

  Destiny met them in the hallway. Of the four, se was the only one whose appearance hadn’t changed. Se knelt in front of Thierry and Skate. “You two ready?”

  Thierry nodded. “I think so.” He looked at Skate.

  “Ready!”

  Destiny grinned. “You two are going to be perfect.” Se kissed each one of them on the forehead. “Come on. Let’s go put on a show.”

  They followed ser down the stairs. Thierry managed to get one more “I’m sorry” in as he passed Ally.

  “I know.” She reached out to touch his cheek. “Be careful, little thief.”

  “I will.” It was something.

  Downstairs, Destiny left first, and after about a minute, Belynn and the boys followed.

  It was quiet out, the last hours before dawn. The few people on the street looked around furtively as they made their way to their destinations.

  Bad morning for pickpocketing. A thin mist threaded through the cobblestone streets, and there was an unusual chill in the air. Thierry shivered.

  He took Belynn’s and Skate’s hands, and they faded from the view of anyone else around them. They slipped through the dark streets of the Grid, keeping to the edge of the street. Invisible didn’t mean untouchable.

  Plastered on the front of every house was the order for Liminals to turn themselves in. Some of the sheets had been torn down, but many still flapped in the early-morning breeze.

  Liminals. Belynn had explained the meaning of the word to Thierry the night before. He’d never had a name for what he could do, and now that he did, he was being hunted for it.

  He shivered again. Just the cold.

  They reached the old stone bridge without incident, crossing over the tumbling waters of the Rhyl as they passed into Old Town and Earth Square.

  There was more activity here in the heart of Darlith, as folks made their way to and from Market Square a couple of blocks west, returned home from the bars, or went into work in the early hours of the morning.

  Some of the homeless folks slept on benches in the square, at least until a guard came to move them along.

  Thierry found an unoccupied bench with a good view of the square. Belynn and Thierry settled in to watch the coming spectacle.

  Skate slipped away, taking up his position on the edge of the square.

  Belynn squeezed his hand. “Ready?”

  He nodded. “Think so.”

  Destiny didn’t take long to appear. Se strolled up in front of the burned sculpture, as if inspecting it.

  Skate reached a cluster of guards on one side of the square. Their eyes met, and Thierry nodded.

  It was showtime.

  Destiny raised ser hands, holding ser arms open like a magician.

  Belynn put a hand on his shoulder. “Now.”

  Skate was tugging at the guards’ waistcoats, pointing frantically at Destiny.

  Thierry closed his eyes and painted a picture with his mind.

  DESTINY STRODE into the middle of the square, ser limbs shaking. Normally se didn’t like to be this exposed. This was so out in the open, in front of the whole city.

  Se was scared.

  Destiny shook ser head, calming ser fears. Sometimes you had to step up and out of the prison of what you thought you could do to do what you had to do.

  Della Deveraux represented something dark and new in the history of Forever, and yet she was also something as old as humankind. Twisted hatred. Unreasoning fear of the other. And naked ambition that felt no compunction in taking advantage of both.

  She had to be stopped, before her fever had a chance to take hold. We must have learned something since the Collapse or we’re destined for oblivion.

  Heads were turning toward Destiny as se approached the burned sculpture. Most visitors to the square were giving it a wide berth, as if afraid to come too close. Or to be seen coming too close.

  There were a few guards about, but they hadn’t noticed ser yet.

  That was Skate’s job.

  Destiny grinned. Se liked the little imp. He was so open, clean, simple. Yes, he was a thief, but there was no guile about him at all. He was the perfect choice to get
all the guards looking at ser at the same time.

  Se held her arms up, posture opened wide, toward the broken remnants of the sculpture. Immediately the ground rumbled.

  Movement stopped all around ser. The few civilians in the square turned to see what se was doing.

  Wind stirred the square, spinning wildly around ser and the burned Earth, whipping ser hair up in the air. Sounds of alarm went up all around ser. The rumbling grew louder, shaking the ground.

  Damn, Thierry, you’re good at this! It was hard to discern what was real and what had been planted in ser mind by his ability.

  The wind increased in speed, lashing ser and those who strayed too close to the center of the square. Se shook ser hands dramatically, and the earth cracked with a thunderous sound, right underneath the sculpture.

  That much was real, courtesy of Aine, as the world mind thrust a great root into the air.

  Golden light shone out of the crack, brightening up the dark square.

  The broken, burned arms of the Earth sculpture fell to the ground with a crash, shattering into small pieces in a cloud of black dust.

  In their place, a new Earth formed, growing even larger than the old one. As she watched, the world wood split and reconnected to make a massive new globe at the heart of the square.

  Only this time it would not be destroyed so easily. The new “Earth” was formed of a world wood impervious to flame, so hard even the sharpest ax would have difficulty making a dent in its dark skin.

  The rumbling slowed and then stopped, and the wind died down.

  When it ended, Destiny knew Thierry was gone, and Belynn with him.

  Destiny put down ser arms and waited for the guards.

  Chapter Ten: Misdirection

  DELLA DREAMED of the perfect world. Where everyone worked hard and without question. Where everyone had enough. Where all people had to do was that which was expected of them.