Shroud of Doom
Page 17
Chapter 16
A Prominent Family
1A dull emergency light came on when the elevator stopped. Essyria picked up the emergency phone but it was dead.
“Rupra, what are we going to do?” Essyria asked.
Rupra sighed. “Just relax. They’ll get the power back on in a tik, I’m sure.”
“I don’t know,” Chalk said. “The lines may have been taken down by the lava flow.”
“I’m sure they must have a backup generator,” Peeta replied.
“I’m claustrophobic,” Silla advised. “If we don’t get out of here quickly I’m going to be sick.”
“Just relax,” Essyria said. “Rupra will think of something.”
Rupra looked up at the escape hatch above them. “Peeta, why don’t you climb up and see how close we are to one of the floors?”
Peeta frowned. “Why me?”
“You’re lighter than me. I’ll give you a boost.”
Peeta sighed and then nodded. Rupra gave him a boost and he was able to push the door open. Then he stepped on Rupra’s shoulders and pulled himself up.
“It’s only a few feet. If I can get the door opened we can climb out.”
“See what you can do?” Rupra urged.
“Okay. I’ll give it a try. . . . I got it.”
Rupra boosted the girls up and they managed to climb out onto the fourth floor. Getting Rupra out was the biggest challenge as there was no one to give him a boost. Finally, Silla ripped a curtain down from an adjacent room and they were able to use it as a rope. A few loons later they were up in their rooms totally exhausted from the ordeal and very hungry. Unfortunately, the power outage had shut down room service so they had to make do with the small stock of food in their rooms.
The following day didn’t turn out much better with the hotel full of refugees and the air so foul that they couldn’t leave their hotel. They did manage to have the mating ceremony but only after paying twice the bribes they had expected. It seemed most everyone in Jedeva had decided to cash in on Mr. Soni’s eruption and the shortage of supplies and necessary services.
When they returned to Shisk they were shocked to see thousands of people lined up seeking entry into the city. Inside the dome the air and water was filtered and there was no ash. At first Central Authority was letting everyone in but it soon became apparent that the city couldn’t support all those who wanted to enter. In fact, only with the intervention of Essyria and Peeta’s parents did the mating party make it back into the city.
Needless to say Essyria’s parents were shocked to learn their daughter had been mated. After making it back into the city they went to Essyria’s parent’s home to explain themselves. Essyria’s father, Sigor Tomaso, was a short man with a mustache and curly black hair. His mate Tulia was a slim blond with intense green eyes.
“Rupra was one of my patients,” Essyria explained. “He was so sick I had to give him special attention, so, that gave us an opportunity to get to know each other. As we spent more time together we realized we had a lot in common.”
“What could you possibly have in common?” Tulia spat.
“For one thing we are both telepathic. It is so refreshing not to be able to know what someone is thinking.”
“I don’t understand,” Sigor said. “I thought it would be better if you knew someone’s thoughts.”
She shook her head. “No. People have horrible thoughts and fears that should never be shared with anyone. Because we are both telepathic we know how to guard our thoughts and keep them private. It’s hard to explain, but there has to be some mystery in a relationship to make it interesting enough to sustain.”
“Well, that’s one thing you have in common, but not enough by itself,” Tulia argued.
“I know, but that’s just one thing. We are both very intelligent and share similar beliefs—plus we’re good in bed.”
“Yes, but that will become less important as you get older,” Sigor noted.
“Maybe,” Essyria conceded, “but it’s still an important aspect of mating.
“You should have let the computers pick your mate. You have only considered a few of the factors that should be considered in mating. The computers would have considered hundreds.”
Bruda, who had remained silent during the exchange, finally spoke up. “There is one thing the computers wouldn’t have considered.”
Everyone looked at Rupra. He cleared his throat. “They wouldn’t have considered the fact that we are in love and couldn’t possibly be mated with anyone else.”
Essyria smiled at Rupra.
“When I was near death,” Rupra continued. “an angel from God appeared at my side and her name was Essyria.”
Tulia just stared at Bruda in shock. Finally she smiled and relaxed a bit. “Well, you didn’t tell me Rupra was a romantic.”
Essyria laughed. “There’s a lot you don’t know about him, mother. You should withhold your judgment until you get to know him.” She turned to her father. “He’s a hell of a salesman too, father. With a little help I know he’ll be successful.”
“Okay,” Sigor said. “It doesn’t look like we have any choice in the matter, so I guess we should make the best of it. . . . Rupra, tell us what you plan to do with your life.”
“Well, my father was a manufacturer’s rep for an armaments company. He liked it because it allowed him to be independent yet connected to a lot of good people. So, I was thinking along the same lines except I’m not necessarily tied to armaments or just one product.”
“Health care is a growing industry?” Tulia suggested.
“That’s true. There are several industries that could be lucrative.”
“Rupra’s real ambition is politics,” Essyria advised.
Rupra nodded. “Yes, my grandfather was a politician and I admired him very much.”
“Well, success in business or a profession is usually required before politics comes into play,” Sigor noted.
“True,” Rupra conceded, “but opportunity doesn’t always come when you expect it. If it does come I’m not going to let it slip through my hands.”
Sigor nodded. “I suppose you’re right. Anyway, I know a few politicians I could introduce you to, if you like.”
“Yes. That would be much appreciated,” Bruda said appreciatively.
As the conversation continued Essyria relaxed satisfied her parents would accept Rupra into the family. Bruda was happy too as he was beginning to appreciate how much Essyria’s family could help him advance his career and political ambitions. Previously a nobody in Shisk, now he was a member of an elite family and wherever he went he’d be taken seriously. It was amazing to him how everything was falling into place so quickly. It surely is a sign from God that what I am doing is right. He wants me to rid Tarizon of the impure human population and any of the other life-forms who threaten or in any way diminish the human race. Everything I have done was God’s will and everything I do henceforth will be to fulfill God’s design for the world.