Awakening

by Rebel Miller

  I leveled a look his way, wondering how he would know, then realized it was Gannon who ordered the security upgrade at the Judiciary.

  He didn’t have the tact to look even a little remorseful. “Security for my hover is better than at your Judiciary,” he said. “After waltzing into your offices unannounced, I wasn’t going to let you work there without better security.” Tai paused in eating long enough to give him a reluctant look of respect. “Much good it did,” Gannon added. “Little did I know the danger lay inside the Judiciary, not out.”

  My stomach knotted, all of my meal threatening to rush to the surface. Turning my lips inward, I placed the fork on the table.

  Gannon rested a hand over mine. “Say you’re ill and stay home for the next few days,” he said, soothing me immediately.

  “It’ll all work out,” Tai said, calming my nerves even more.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  “I’m in love with Tai.”

  “Well, they say admitting it is the first step,” Sela said with a laugh.

  I sat down heavily on a stool in the middle of her office, unslinging my bag as she came out from around the door of a ceiling-high cabinet. Sela held a large package of children’s medicinal patches against her round belly, her other hand braced at her back, as she grinned.

  “So … are you going to stop seeing Gannon?”

  I shook my head.

  Her smile slipped. “Why not?” Sela inspected me as she would a patient.

  “I can’t.”

  She waited for me to continue.

  “I think …” I paused on a sigh. Who was I fooling? “I know I’m falling in love with Gannon, too.”

  “What?”

  “I said I’m falling in lo—”

  “I heard what you said! Are you out of your mind?” Sela said, her voice shrill.

  After breakfast with Gannon and Tai, I had decided that I wouldn’t go in to work for a day or so. The idea of facing Gabriel and still trying to do work was too much to bear. With time on my hands, I’d gone instead to visit Sela at her practice. Even though I couldn’t tell her everything about my family’s tribulations, I wanted to seek her out to share the one thing I could, the thing that had been teasing at the edges of my mind.

  Sela approached me swiftly, which said a lot since she was waddling a bit. “I wanted you to have fun with him, not … commit to him,” she said, placing the package on her desk with a heavy thump and resting a hand on her hip.

  “You’re looking at me as if I planned this,” I complained.

  “Oh, Kira …” She hugged me tight, her belly against my chest. For a while, I allowed her and her baby to soothe me. Suddenly, they both tensed. “Have you told Gannon how you feel?”

  “No … not exactly.”

  She released me. “Thank All Above for small mercies.”

  “You don’t think I should tell him?”

  “Of course not! He’s a senator. He could use it against you.”

  “Gannon wouldn’t hurt me.” I bristled at the thought, but then, Sela didn’t know Gannon and wouldn’t understand how much he felt for me. She also didn’t know how he had been helping my family and protecting me. “He told me he loves me,” I said.

  Sela gave me a pitying look. I tamped down my anger at her disbelief. Gannon’s words about wanting to be with me freely came back to taunt me. The truth was, Sela didn’t know enough to believe Gannon loved me, but the doubt she showed stung all the same.

  All of a sudden she smiled and tugged on one of my curls.

  “Focus on Tai. He’ll come around soon enough,” she said cheerfully. “No man is strong enough to deny themselves Kira Metallurgist.”

  I gave her a wobbly smile.

  She tilted her head. “Why aren’t you at the Judiciary today?”

  “I’m sick.”

  She snorted. “Lovesick, you mean.”

  I had to laugh at that.

  Sela turned to her monitor and started tapping and swiping away efficiently across the screen. She was a frantic painter on her digital canvas. “So, really, why aren’t you at work?”

  I winced, happy she was facing away and couldn’t see my expression. Telling Sela about Gabriel was completely out of the question.

  “I needed a break.”

  “Come now. You love the Judiciary,” she said, making tight circles on the screen on what looked to be an X-ray of some skeletal joint. The spot she focused on lit up. She tapped a flat panel on the desk and the bone structure appeared as a hologram floating above it.

  “He’s an asshole.” I meant to say it in silly, flippant way but was unable to keep the bite out of my voice. Sela glanced at me with a quizzical expression. “My superior, Gabriel, that is.”

  Sela turned fully to me. “I’m going to need to hear that story.”

  An older woman with a motherly face suddenly poked her head through our door. “Sela, your next appointment is here. Should I send her in? Wait until you see her! She has the cutest little pink dress on,” she cooed before winking a friendly hello my way.

  “Thank you, Margot. Please give me five minutes,” Sela said.

  Margot left with a smile, turning the door just a bit to afford us some privacy.

  Sela looked at me expectantly.

  I decided to give her a half truth. “It’s a long story. He chose to work with another colleague instead of me after all the work I did for him. I’m just pouting.”

  “Yes, he is an asshole if he did that,” Sela said like the good friend she was.

  I leaned forward to rub Sela’s belly, shoving away my worrying thoughts.

  “You’re so big now,” I mused, but when she scowled I added, “In the most beautiful of ways, of course.”

  She chuckled and started to work on the screen once again.

  “Have you decided on a baby name yet?”

  “Not at all. This child will be nameless when she’s born.”

  I laughed. “That reminds me, I have to speak with Aunt Lilian about your baby welcoming,” I said. Sela’s mother had left a message for me in the early afternoon.

  “Halls, this thing is turning into quite the event.” Sela groaned. “Had I known it would be this much work welcoming one baby, I would have had my eggs enhanced and tried for four after all.”

  “I’ll remember that whenever I want to have a child.” I grinned.

  “Huh. Interesting,” Sela said, shutting down the monitor with a light tap. She turned to face me, arms crossed high up over her belly. “You must truly be in love. I’ve never before heard you say anything remotely close to the possibility of having a baby.”

  Anxiety flooded through me at the thought. “No baby. Not now. Not for years to come.”

  “Having a baby is a truly beautiful thing,” she said in a way that reminded me of my mother.

  When I simply raised an eyebrow in response, she rolled her eyes and went over to the small cot across from us. She began readying the space for her patient.

  “How about Lahra?” I blurted out.

  Sela looked at me, her eyes questioning.

  “For the baby name,” I said, standing up and liking the sudden idea more with each second that passed. “It’s short for falahra. It means ‘extraordinary beauty’ in Gildish.”

  The light in Sela’s eyes started to glow bright.

  “Lahra Lecturer,” she sang softly. “It’s absolutely perfect.”

  * * *

  “It’s freaking insane,” Asher said, wild disbelief blooming across his face. He shook his head as I walked toward him, my speed increasing with every step.

  A few days after recuperating from my self-imposed illness, I had rediscovered my well of inner strength. I’d left the safe and comforting haven that was Gannon’s house to confront work and everything that came with it. The first thing I’d planned to do was seek out an authority at the Judiciary to whom I could report Gabriel, but my plans were dashed as soon as I set foot in the reception area.

  “Gabriel is no longer
working here,” Theo repeated for my benefit. He was seated at his desk, eyes gleaming. I approached him. “We received a message first thing this morning. Truly, I’ve never heard of such a thing happening anywhere across the Realm. Gabriel’s career is as good as done. He’s been transferred to another world. Surely, he will never again be minister. Our ambassador informed him of the decision yesterday. Whatever he did must have been terrible.”

  As Theo spoke, a small group had formed around Asher and me. Theo peered up at us as he continued. “Only more alarming is how they found him. The man must have suffered a terrible beating. When the ambassador’s protectors collected him at his residence, they said his face and body were so bruised, he could hardly walk. He’s probably not so pretty anymore,” he said snidely.

  Theo smiled in a way that made me want to take a washcloth to my skin. I’d always suspected that Theo wasn’t Gabriel’s biggest fan, but he was outright reveling in Gabriel’s misfortune. “An interim minister will be appointed,” he announced. “Read your messages. Since we have no designate, we’ll be sharing Prospect Seven’s minister for a while,” he said, sorting through a few documents on his desk, dismissing us.

  “This is a first,” Asher said. He pushed his glasses higher up on the bridge of his nose as he turned to me. “Hey, you okay?”

  He must have caught my alarmed expression. A few quick blinks and I schooled my face into what I hoped was one of suitable professional concern. “I’m fine. I’m … just surprised.” My mind swirled.

  “Ya, I know, right?” Asher bobbed his head as we started toward our workspaces. “I heard they already moved Gabriel’s stuff out. Shit, what the heck did he do?”

  I pulled the handle of my bag taut across my chest as the muscles around my shoulders and neck drew tight.

  The main work area was abuzz with animated chatter and healthy doses of speculation about the reason for Gabriel’s dismissal. As we passed desks and cubicles, I heard words like “corruption,” “exploitation” and even “embezzlement” bandied about.

  After spending the appropriate amount of time next to Asher’s cubicle wondering at Gabriel’s fate with my colleagues, I hurried to my office, sliding the door closed even as I began tugging off my coat and bag. I fell into my chair and activated my monitor. It came alive with the required swipe of my finger and access code.

  As Theo had promised, I found a message from Aresh Ambassador on my dashboard. I slumped as I read the message that confirmed what Theo reported. Gabriel was no longer minister of Prospect Eight. An election would be held at Prospect Council, overseen by the Realm Council, to appoint our new leader. In the meantime, Mila Minister of Prospect Seven would be supervising our affairs. I worried my bottom lip with my teeth as snippets of Gannon and Tai’s conversation from a few days ago floated through my mind.

  I have something I have to take care of … I’m not sure how long it will take … Let me know what I can do to help … They wouldn’t be willing to give him what he deserves.

  I knew Gannon and Tai would do something, but this went beyond anything I could have anticipated. My hands shook as my blood began to boil.

  What did they think they were doing? This was too much. Gabriel was now, for all intents and purposes, a pariah of the Realm. It wasn’t that I had any sympathy for Gabriel — he could go to the underworlds for all I cared. It was how Gannon and Tai were handling their reputations that concerned me. They were throwing their weight around without any care about the repercussions.

  Lunging forward in my chair, I reached for the screen, ready to threaten some much needed sense into them, when another message arrived. I tapped it open.

  P8 Date Stamp: 03.19.2558

  P8 Time Stamp: 09h 04m 05s

  Subordinate Kira Metallurgist:

  Our Corona, Layla Sovereign, will be holding a diplomatic session between the Realm Council and the exiled leadership of Argon dominion at Septima Two. In light of your world minister’s untimely departure, Mila Minister of Prospect Seven requests your attendance as part of an oversight delegation. Your participation will be most helpful in providing insight into discussions and apprising her of your work on the task force over the past few months.

  I will be in touch with you shortly with a date and time for a briefing in advance of this most important meeting.

  Finch Director

  Office of Mila Minister of Prospect Seven

  Origin: P7(3): Solaris

  Excitement bubbled inside me. I read the message twice then engaged my comm.

  I’m going to the diplomatic meeting with Argon!

  Gannon’s response was swift.

  Absolutely not.

  Then from Tai:

  Fuck no.

  I scowled.

  Why not?

  The device vibrated. Steeling myself, I engaged Tai’s call.

  “I don’t think I have to tell you how dangerous that is.” If he could have lunged through the phone, I think he would have, his voice was so hostile.

  “I won’t be drawing any attention to myself,” I said. “I’ll only be doing my job. In fact, I think it would come across as strange if I didn’t agree to our new minister’s request that I support her on this project.” I loaded the word “new” with undeniable meaning.

  His silence was telling.

  “Of course, you know that we have a new minister, don’t you, Tai?” I pressed. “Gabriel was transferred to another world, after he was beaten to within an inch of his life.”

  He made an impatient sound. “Kira, I don’t have time for this. You’re not going!”

  My comm vibrated again. A quick glance told me the forces had gathered. I engaged Gannon’s call and included him in our conversation.

  “Did you lose your mind since you left my house this morning?” Gannon asked coolly. There was chatter in the background.

  “I was just telling Tai that it would probably draw more attention if I didn’t go. I wouldn’t want to insult our new minister by rejecting her request.” I couldn’t tone down the sneer in my voice.

  Gannon held quiet.

  “Yes, Tai had the same lack of response,” I drawled.

  “It’s more than the attention you could draw to yourself,” Tai said with a heavy sigh. “This meeting is an opportunity for the factions to make themselves heard, and if they don’t like how things are going, they could become violent. It’s a minor threat, but a threat all the same.”

  Gannon grunted. “There’s no way you’re going. I went mad not knowing where you were for less than forty-eight hours. I’m not interested in worrying about you being killed.”

  I rolled my eyes at the melodrama. “This is important to me not only because of my work, but because of those citizens who’ll be affected by the outcome of their discussions.” I couldn’t be much more specific over the line.

  “I know, lahra.” Gannon said something quickly offline then came back to our call. “Listen, I’ll be at the diplomatic meeting. I’ll come back to Prospect right after and give you an official report.”

  “And I’ll be there too. I’ll make sure to keep you up to date,” Tai said, his voice sounding somewhat distracted. I heard what sounded like a chair scraping across the floor. “I have to go,” he said. “The bottom line is you’re not going.”

  “For once in your life,” Gannon implored, “listen to me and stay on Prospect.”

  I dropped my forehead on the desk. It was my choice to go or not. Why had I even messaged them? Wanting to share my excitement, I’d reached out to them without thinking, like it was the most natural thing in the worlds to do. With a heavy sigh, I chose to avoid the fight.

  “Okay. I won’t go,” I said, lifting my head. The minister’s message glowed bright on the monitor before me.

  For good measure, they both threatened me with bodily harm before disconnecting our call. They really were just concerned for me. I almost felt guilty enough to cave in and reject the minister’s invitation.

  Almost.

 
* * *

  I was a child playing hooky from school.

  My heart rate had been elevated from the moment I stepped on the arc craft destined for Septima Two, but it was exhilaration more than fear that drove it. Finally, I was embarking on a trip, traveling like I’d dreamed of when I was much younger. My excitement was tempered only by the fact that at any moment Gannon and Tai would find me in this fine excuse for a craft, and the jig would be up.

  I chanced a look over my shoulder, glancing furtively around the luxuriously appointed vehicle from my seat in the middle of the vessel. I twisted my lips thinking how angry they were bound to be when they discovered I had accepted the minister’s invitation. But they weren’t my keepers. I was twenty-one years old. I could do what I wanted, damn it.

  “Would you like something to drink?” A young female server appeared at my side, startling the bravado right out of me.

  “Um, no, thank you,” I said once I’d caught my breath. After rustling around inside my bag a bit, I pulled out official documents from Mila Minister’s office. “But perhaps you could confirm something?”

  “Of course,” she said with an open smile.

  Unfolding the document on my small lap table, I pointed to the vehicle’s trajectory number. “Is this the craft I’m on?”

  She took a quick look. “Yes, it is.”

  “Oh.”

  “Is something wrong?”

  “No, not at all,” I said with a tight smile, refolding the papers into its perfect rectangle.

  I had never been on a craft so well appointed. I’d figured there must have been a mistake. Any arc craft I had taken in the past was as good as any public ground vehicle — no frills, and certainly no servers asking if I wanted anything to drink. I understood this was a craft reserved for official duty, but still, I couldn’t imagine everyone in leadership traveled in such style all the time.

  As the server moved on to a passenger behind me, I took another look around and spied senators and a few members of Realm Council arriving, some milling about. We had stopped at our via point on Dignitas One to collect a few Council members, most of whom resided on that world. I probably stuck out like a sore thumb among all the leadership. There was another craft filled with subordinates and protectors headed toward Septima Two. I couldn’t understand why I was assigned to this one. Suddenly, I had a sinking feeling.