by S. E. Weir
Anna spoke softly, almost to herself. “I’ll have to find more things to occupy that big brain of yours.”
Jace had fallen into silent reflection over the last few minutes but now spoke up. “The only thing I’m not sure about is that we will try to provide potential dates for all these single ambassadors. How’s that going to work?”
Phina smiled, thinking about her conversation with ADAM the previous day. He had told her during her lunch break earlier that he had expanded and refined his criteria using a pool of a thousand couples and had moved to testing algorithms for compatibility.
“Don’t worry. I know a guy.”
Chapter Four
QBBS Meredith Reynolds, Training Room
Phina flew through the air before reaching out to grab the bar and swing her body around, pumping her legs so she could fly again. She loved it; the feeling of weightlessness and freedom exhilarated her. Indulging herself, she did a more complicated move where she had to twist her body around to grab the bar and swing herself around it a few times to work her speed back up for the next move.
When she decided she was finished with her workout, she pulled herself up to a handstand on top of the bars. From the outside, it might not have seemed as difficult as a flip, but it used every muscle in her body, especially her core, to pull her up and then hold her straight. When she began to feel her muscles tremble, she relaxed and swung around the bars a few times before letting go to fly, tucking her body in as she rotated and thrust her arms and legs out to land on the mat.
Whoops and clapping rushed into her hearing. She had tuned everything out to focus on the sensation of flying. She knew Link would criticize her lack of situational awareness, but sometimes she just wanted to be in her head and not have to worry about the people around her.
Phina turned to grab the towel she had tossed on the floor next to the bars and wiped her face and arms. She didn’t sweat a lot, but even a light amount made her feel like a soppy mess when she talked to someone afterward. When she finished, she threw the damp towel into the laundry basket against the wall and headed over to her cheering section.
Alina and Maxim stood together, which didn’t surprise her. They occasionally came to watch when they knew she would be on the gymnastics equipment. Alina had confided that while she would never be able to move like Phina could, watching her made her heart feel lighter because she saw how much her friend enjoyed it.
These days, Alina and Maxim were often together when they weren’t busy with work. Phina loved seeing their relationship progress. They were taking it slow, hence only having had their first date last week. However, both of them lit up whenever they were around each other and didn’t stray far from each other’s side.
She grinned at the two of them as she approached. Alina stood at the same height as Phina, though she possessed curves where Phina had muscle. Maxim was over half a foot taller, with the broad and muscled body of a Wechselbalg. Both were very attractive and had fair hair; Alina’s fell halfway down her back.
“You two are so cute together. And to think I practically had to push you at each other just a few months ago.”
Maxim grinned while Alina laughed. “Shut up!” Reaching over, her best friend pulled her into a loose hug, and Phina caught a whiff of a fruity scent before she was quickly let go. “Ack! You’re still sweaty!”
Chuckling, she stepped forward, pretending she would hug Alina closer. The other girl shrank behind Maxim, shrieking. “Phina!”
After a moment of belly laughs, Phina turned to view the visitors who had surprised her. Drk-vaen and Sis’tael stood off to the side, giving their Yollin laughs—mandible clicks—at the girls’ antics. Drk occasionally came to help with training, but it was rare for Sis’tael to visit.
However, next to them was Maxim’s and Drk-vaen’s third Ryan Wagner with a grin on his face. He stood a few feet away from everyone else, emphasizing that he wasn’t part of a pair. She would be very surprised if he came without the intent of trying to get her on a date of some kind. She had told him on Vermott that she wasn’t interested in him.
Unfortunately, while he came across as a nice guy, he either had an endless well of hope or an arrogant ego to think she would one day wake up and change her mind. He had hinted a few times and outright asked once again if she would go out with him. Every time she had told him no or sidestepped the matter entirely.
Fudging crumbs!
Two, two, and…looking at Ryan and herself, two. Phina sighed in resignation. They were going to ask about going on a triple date. Alina would have no qualms about pushing her and Ryan together since she had told Phina before that she wanted her best friend to find someone. If Phina refused, she would look like the bad guy.
“I see what’s going on here.”
Phina waggled her finger at the group. Only Ryan and Alina had more of a reaction than mild confusion. Gah! She crossed her arms and stood facing Alina but partially turned to Ryan so they could both see her displeasure. Ryan just gave her a confident smile, but Alina gave her a red-faced expression of imploring.
“Please, Phina, we just wanted to distract you from thinking about tomorrow.”
Oh.
Right. Go out with friends, even with a guy who didn’t seem to get it when she said no, or stay home trying to distract herself since her aunt had messaged her, saying she would be here tomorrow. Such a tough choice.
“All right, fine. But…” She pointed at Ryan, who continued to grin. “Come here.”
When they had moved over to the side, she continued, “I already told you we are only friends and will never be anything more, so don’t read anything into this, understand?”
“Got it.”
Unfortunately, his smile didn’t convince her.
“I’m serious, Ryan. The odds of that changing are point-twenty-three percent.”
His whole face lit up. “So, you’re saying there’s a chance!”
Crap. Why hadn’t she just said no chance whatsoever? That’s what she got for avoiding absolutes as much as possible.
“I said point-twenty-three percent, Ryan. That’s not even a quarter of a percent. Please, just give me the respect of understanding that I know my own mind.”
His expression sobered, then he nodded. “I understand, Phina. I can’t help but be curious, though. Is there another guy that has your attention?”
An intense but kind face flashed in her mind before she pushed it away. It surprised her enough that she shared the truth. “Perhaps, but not now.”
He looked at her in concern. “Why not?”
“It would need time. Our relationship isn’t there yet.”
Confusion clouded his face as she turned away to view the rest of her…friends? It was odd to realize she had a group of people she called friends. “All right, if we are doing this, I need a shower.”
Time to wash away the stink as well as thoughts of future possibilities.
QBBS Meredith Reynolds, Waters Residence
Phina hesitated as she reached the door of the residence she used to share with her aunt. She hadn’t been back since she’d moved into an apartment with Alina. They had compromised on what the two of them wanted and gotten their own place. She had to admit it felt good to get away from the memories that lay in every corner of her former suite.
The click of the door broke through her thoughts. Phina looked up to see her aunt standing in the doorway with an uncertain expression. She still looked mostly the same, with her long dark hair and brown eyes. Her skin had lightened a shade or two from its normal tones. Her eyes looked wilder, though they still flashed with something Phina had never been able to define in all the years she had known her aunt.
Not sure what showed on her own face but trying to keep from shrinking away, Phina shifted uncomfortably.
“Oh, come in, girl. No need to hang in the doorway.”
Following her aunt through the partly empty apartment, Phina walked silently in her black boots. She wore her favorite style
of outfit with black skinny jeans, a black t-shirt, and a black jacket. Surprisingly, Aunt Faith wore a dress that appeared fitted and comfortable but also stretched easily to get on. Faith usually only wore tailored separates. Her hair looked a bit untidier than her aunt typically liked as well. Phina was puzzled.
“How have you been getting on? I see you haven’t been living here, though it’s a waste of money to keep it when you are living somewhere else. Did you forget everything I’ve ever warned you about and moved in with a man in this short amount of time? I knew you would get into trouble without me here.”
Suppressing the urge to roll her eyes or rise to the bait of the acerbic remarks, Phina answered as simply as she could. That had always been her tack with her aunt: to give her the answer she wanted but no more. They entered the kitchen, and Phina saw Aunt Faith was in the middle of lunch preparations. Wanting to stay at a distance, she sat at the table in her normal chair.
“I’ve been well. No complaints. Alina and I moved in together.”
“Hmph. I guess that’s better than the alternative. I don’t suppose you’ve been passing your classes?”
“Do you want to see a report card?”
Aunt Faith turned from making toasted sandwiches and glared. “Seraphina Grace Waters, don’t you sass me.”
Phina held her aunt’s gaze instead of looking away as she normally would have. “Passed with flying colors.”
Her aunt turned back to her task in silence. “I suppose since you’ve hardly ever lied to me, I’ll accept that as true. Do they appreciate you there at that Institute?”
“I think so.”
After a noise of disbelief, the woman brought the plates over to the table. She returned to fetch two glasses, placing one before Phina and taking the other to her side of the table, then sat. Phina took a sip of juice and turned to her sandwich.
“Look at yourself.”
“What?” She looked up from taking a bite to see her aunt grimacing as she waved a hand at Phina’s face.
“You look exhausted. What are they having you do at this Institute? They must be running you ragged.”
Classes, spy training, martial arts training, and friends all flashed through her head. Shaking her head, she shrugged and chewed.
“Or were you out partying with your friends all night? Did you even go to sleep?”
Phina sighed. They had gone out last night, but since she rarely if ever drank alcohol, Phina only had a mild headache from lack of sleep. Her aunt continued the harangue as they ate, and she continued to feel uncomfortable about being around Aunt Faith. There was something weird about her. A stray thought caught her attention. Yes, her energy was strange. Not at all like normal.
However, after a while, she stopped caring. As she ate her sandwich and drank her juice, she grew more and more tired. By the time her glass was empty and her sandwich only had a few bites left, she could barely keep her head up or her eyes open.
“Phina? Are you feeling all right?”
“Aun’ Fai…”
“Here, let me help you to the couch.”
Barely aware of anything, her eyes fluttering closed, Phina was helped to her feet and held onto as she stumbled her way to the couch. A moment later, she half-collapsed and was half-helped to lay down. She heard Aunt Faith talking but had difficulty sorting the sounds into words she understood. The last thought she had before losing consciousness was completely random but had been bothering her.
When had Aunt Faith had time to get groceries?
“What am I going to do with you, you foolish girl?”
Phina’s eyes fluttered while she struggled to wake up. Awareness came slowly. The quiet and slightly irritated voice coalesced into recognition.
“Aunt Faith?”
“Of course, Phina. Who else would I be?”
“What happened?”
Phina raised a sluggish arm to rub her aching head, then frowned, trailing her fingers down to her aching jaw.
Fingers pinched the back of her other hand.
“Ow!”
She looked over to see her aunt sitting next to her on the couch with her eyebrows raised and her fingers too close to Phina’s hand for her peace of mind.
“What was that for?”
“I had to check. You’re dehydrated. You obviously haven’t been taking care of yourself well enough. We need to get more fluids in you.”
Phina’s brow crinkled in confusion. “You had to pinch my hand to find that out?”
Aunt Faith gave her a look that clearly said, “Don’t start.”
“I’ve had to do many things to take care of you, Phina. Some of them I’ve liked more than others. This one was relatively painless.”
“For you, maybe,” Phina muttered as she wiped her eyes again.
After a noise of disbelief, Aunt Faith stood and walked away, returning with a cup of water. Phina reached out, expecting to be shaky, but there were no tremors in her hand. Aside from the grogginess, she felt fine, and even that had begun to clear. Still, she downed the water quickly and handed back the cup. Within a minute, Aunt Faith had returned with another cup full of water.
While her aunt was in the kitchen, Phina pushed up to a sitting position on the couch, feeling no ill effects. She rubbed her face, wondering what had happened.
Am I really just exhausted? Or dehydrated? Or both?
She had been working hard on classes, training, and with Link over the past few months, trying to find evidence that would prove his instincts correct. So far, there had been nothing.
She sipped the water while her aunt sat in her favorite chair. Phina hadn’t taken it with her when she moved out. She wondered if she really was dehydrated. How much water was she supposed to drink each day, anyway?
>>Phina, are you all right?<<
Though surprised, she tried to keep from physically reacting. Her aunt didn’t know about ADAM, and she wanted to keep it that way.
“Hi, ADAM. I think so?”
Aunt Faith cleared her throat. “Do you remember the message I sent you some weeks ago?”
Blinking, Phina tried to recall what her aunt was referring to. “Perhaps you could remind me?”
>>Maxim is wondering where you are. You were asleep for a while and didn’t respond to his messages. What should I tell him?<<
Fudge in a bucket!
“How late is it?”
>>It’s twenty minutes past the time to meet.<<
Aunt Faith looked at her, annoyed. “The message where I told you to be careful and watch your back. That there would be consequences if you ignored me.”
Argh! Having two conversations at once was not easy.
“ADAM, please tell Maxim I’m sorry. I’m not going to get there today. I’ll make it up to him somehow.”
“Oh, right. That was wonderfully cryptic of you. So very specific and helpful.”
>>All right.<<
“Thank you, ADAM.”
“Seraphina! I’m trying to explain to you why you can’t trust any of those Weres and why you need to be careful! Have the decency and courtesy to listen.” Aunt Faith threw up her hands and made a noise of frustration that was growl-like. “Where did I go wrong with you?”
>>You’re welcome, Phina. I’m beginning to understand why DS refers to her the way he does.<<
“Oh? What does Link call her?”
>>I believe ‘blasted woman,’ ‘devil-woman,’ and ‘that woman’ top the list. Sometimes all of them together.<<
Phina laughed out loud, forgetting her aunt sat in front of her.
“Seraphina!”
Oops.
“Yes, Aunt Faith?”
“Are you going to listen?”
Phina looked at her aunt—really looked. The woman appeared to be on edge, and her brown eyes had taken on a reddish sheen. The tension in her shoulders and arms made her muscles appear tight and strained as she held onto the arms of the chair, and her mouth was curled into a grimace of distaste.
Draining the cup,
Phina stood and placed it on the table to the side before turning to her aunt.
“You know what? No, I’m not going to listen. All of my experiences with the Wechselbalg I’ve met so far tell me they are loyal to the Empire, and the ones I know personally would never hurt me beyond the conditioning needed for training. I don’t know what your experiences have been, and I’m sorry they caused you pain, but you can’t go blaming all of them for whatever you think happened.
“You’ve been telling me to take care of myself, but have you even looked in the mirror lately? You don’t look well, Aunt Faith. If you need to focus on something, why don’t you focus on taking care of yourself?”
“Enough!”
Her aunt bellowed the words, speaking louder than Phina had ever heard her. She couldn’t help flinching. It hadn’t been all that long ago that the woman had berated her all the time, but the months since she had seen her had almost caused her to forget how mad her aunt could get. Aunt Faith snarled her next words.
“If you aren’t going to listen to me, then leave. Right now!”
Without another glance, Phina walked out. She didn’t want to be around her aunt when she was in this kind of mood anyway.
QBBS Meredith Reynolds, Open Court
Phina moved quickly, her head shaking in frustration as she left her aunt’s apartment. Aunt Faith had never understood that Phina would rather have a conversation than be dictated to. Walking off her mood was a good idea, so she fumed up and down the corridors and levels until she reached the Open Court. Phina didn’t know what it was about this space that drew her, but it was her go-to place when she was upset.
Quite a change of pace from the solitude of the air vents.
She had just begun a second circuit when she ran into someone in front of her—quite literally. Rebounding off the muscled chest that might as well be a wall, she looked up in surprise as Todd Jenkins reached out to catch her so she didn’t fall. Phina knew she wouldn’t, but she supposed he couldn’t read her mind to know that. Shoppers, travelers, and workers flowed around them.