by Vicky Savage
“We dine rather casually here,” Narowyn says, giving my shoulder another squeeze and guiding me to the far end of the table.
Asher and a number of smiling, chattering people wander into the room. Most wear robes, flowing dresses, or linen pants and tops. Comfort seems to be the only rule of dress. I count roughly the same number of women as men, and Eve looks to be the youngest of the group.
“Ah, the others have arrived,” Narowyn says. She positions us with our backs to the wall. “Come in, everyone, and meet Jaden.”
A sort of reception line forms and the group files by one at a time to shake my hand. Narowyn provides introductions. “This is Paul. He’s been with us for ten years. Julia is a relative newcomer at two and a half years. Gareth is our only brother actually born and raised in Arumel …”
Everyone’s friendly and polite. I estimate at least thirty people, most of whose names I forget almost as soon as Narowyn introduces us. By the time everyone’s seated, I’m exhausted, famished, and eager for lunch. But Narowyn explains to me that before food is served, and in keeping with house tradition, one of the diners will offer a few words of gratitude on any subject the speaker chooses.
“I’ll be happy to offer some words,” says the cute red-headed boy, whom I met earlier in the day.
“Thank you, Jeffrey, but I believe this is a perfect opportunity for our sister, Eve, to express herself by letting us know what she is grateful for today.”
Eve squints at her like, you can’t be serious. Narowyn smiles, her eyes sparkling with something … humor, mischief, steel?
Eve sits silently for a moment, and then takes a deep breath. To my surprise, she opens her mouth and begins to sing. Her voice is strikingly clear and strong. I’m unfamiliar with the song, but the melody is hauntingly beautiful. The lyrics extol the splendor of nature, life, and love. I feel an odd lump form in my throat. Soon other voices blend and harmonize with Eve’s. Mathew’s distinctive bass stands out in the mix. Everyone at the table spontaneously joins hands, as mellifluous angel song swells throughout the room, and palpable feelings of goodwill resonate among all present. Goosebumps blossom on my arms, and shivers trail down my spine. It’s a moment I know I’ll never forget.
Once the song is over, Narowyn nods at Eve. “That was just lovely, my dear. Thank you for reminding us all how grateful we are to have you as our sister.”
“Hear, hear,” someone says, and everyone applauds.
On a signal from Narowyn, platters of food are delivered to the table and passed among the diners. The dishes are fresh and aromatic. I take servings of herb-roasted spring vegetables, lentil salad, and a savory sliced meat in a brown sauce. Warm cranberry and walnut rolls with heaping crocks of butter are served last.
“Everything is delicious,” I say to Narowyn who is seated on my left. “I’m unfamiliar with this meat, though. Is it lamb?” A titter passes among the diners.
“We don’t slaughter helpless animals for food,” Monica, the emo girl, pipes up.
“Thank you, Monica,” Narowyn replies. “But please remember kindness first and always.”
“Sorry,” Monica mumbles into her plate.
Narowyn turns to me. “Arumel has been a meatless society for nearly eighty years now. It was discovered that the energy of the planet is far more stable and peaceful without the existence of slaughterhouses. The health of the citizenry has benefited considerably as well. Our food producers have done a remarkable job of duplicating some of the flavors and textures, though, don’t you agree?”
“Yes I do. It fooled me,” I say, pointedly looking at Asher whom I seem to recall scarfing down some juicy filet mignon in Paris. He flashes a wicked grin. I guess some Transcenders cheat when they travel.
I’m seated across from two men who’ve been exploring an earth previously unknown to the Transcenders. Their descriptions of the place are completely engrossing. “The earth is ninety percent water,” the older man says, “and the indigenous people have come up with some clever ways to live.”
They enthusiastically describe one colony as essentially a floating barge, the size of a small island. It rains nearly every day, and the inhabitants collect rain water to drink and bathe in. Because the barge floods so often, they make their homes high in the trees, with rope bridges as links, and hammocks for beds. The little island travels in an endless search for soil, which must be constantly replenished. The younger explorer tells me, “The locals have been most friendly and welcoming to the Transcenders. They treat us as honored guests, and beg for stories of other worlds.”
Asher laughs and remarks that it’s not always the case. “Jade discovered a new earth,” he informs our tablemates.
“She did?” They seem surprised and impressed.
“Yes, but the only inhabitant we met was a very large and decidedly unfriendly creature with fangs the size of elephant tusks. We didn’t stay to chat.”
A laugh ripples through those sitting near us. I’m comfortable and relaxed with these people. My earlier unease has disappeared completely. The main conclusion I draw about Transcenders is that, outside of their unorthodox line of work, they’re pretty much like everyone else.
After dessert and coffee, Narowyn lays her napkin on the table. “I must bid you farewell now,” she says to me. “I have meetings in town this afternoon. It’s been a pleasure getting to know you a bit. I truly hope our paths will cross again.” She smiles warmly.
“I’m not going to change my mind,” I say stubbornly.
Laughing lightly, she says, “I don’t expect you to. But I hope you will keep in mind the Transcender motto.”
“Motto?” I ask.
“Asher has not shared it with you?”
I shake my head.
“It’s written inside your bracelet, timeas non plures semitas vitae. Latin for fear not the many paths of life. It’s what keeps us at odds with the IUGA. They believe there is only one correct path for each of us. We know they are wrong.” Her eyes glitter with certainty. “Peace be with you, little sister.” She kisses me on both cheeks, nods to Asher, and leaves.
“She’s really something, isn’t she?” Asher says with unabashed admiration.
“Yes she is,” I agree. She’s a hard one to figure out, though.
“Come on. I want to show you my apartment,” he says.
“You have an apartment?”
“Just a small one, but it’s a place of my own.”
As we head out the double doors, we find Eve in the hallway speaking with a tall, dark-haired, middle-aged man. He’s dressed differently from the others, in black trousers and a white button-down shirt.
“Hey, where are you going?” Eve asks.
“I’m showing Jaden my place,” Asher says.
“Can we tag along?”
He shrugs. “Sure.”
“I loved your song, Eve,” I say.
“Thanks. My voice is the only large thing about me.” She laughs. “Jade, this is Gil. He wasn’t at lunch today.” Gil and I shake hands.
We follow Asher down the hall and into an elevator. He presses the button marked with a “3”. Once on the third floor, he shows us inside his apartment. I have to smile when I see the interior. It doesn’t seem to belong with the rest of the house, but it’s very Asher, modern and elegant. Everything is decorated in black and white—black sofas, white rug, black tables, white drapes, white desk with lots of black electronic monitors on top. Even the art is black and white. It’s mostly photos and posters, with a few interesting paintings thrown in.
“This is so cool,” I say.
He grins. “Can I get you something to drink?”
Placing my hand over my mid-section, I tell him, “No thanks. I’m stuffed.” I give myself a little tour of the living room, checking out the photographs.
“What about you two?” Asher asks.
“I’ll take water,” Eve says.
“Nothing for me, thank you,” Gil says.
Asher goes to the kitchen, and Eve a
sks, “How’s Patrick doing?”
“Recovering nicely, thanks to you,” I say.
“And where does Hunky Dunky think you are today?”
The question irks me, probably because it touches a sore spot. “He knows I have my own life. I told him I had meetings all day. That’s the truth.”
“Am I invited to the wedding?” she asks.
“I hear you’re kind of grounded. But if you can get Narowyn to authorize it, you and Asher should come.”
“Come where?” Asher asks handing Eve a glass of water.
“To the royal wedding,” Eve says excitedly.
“Not a chance,” Asher says. “End of discussion.”
“Oh, is that a TV?” I ask, noticing a flat screen recessed into the wall.
“Yes. Would you like to watch something? No reality shows, but we have some great comedies and dramas.”
“No thanks,” I say. “I do miss it, but I miss my music more.”
Asher pushes a button on his desk and “Sleepyhead” wafts from hidden speakers.
“Is that Passion Pit?” I ask.
“Yeah. You like it?”
“Love it.”
“Gil,” Asher says, “Jaden originally comes from Earth 7Y12. From the United States of America.”
“Oh really?” Gil says. “Earth 7Y12 is an interesting case. Current population: seven billion, twenty-one million, seven hundred seventy-four thousand, two hundred and eighty; growing at a rate of one point three percent per year. Still largely reliant on fossil fuels. Greenhouse gas emissions off the charts, even though the climate is warming at an annual rate of zero point zero one seven degrees Celsius. Such a pity. Say, have you ever been to one of those barbaric exhibitions put on by the NFL?”
“You mean a football game?” I ask.
“Yes.” His eyes expand. “It sounds so brutal and uncivilized, but I’m fascinated by the numbers of spectators who attend.”
“I’m more of a baseball fan,” I say.
“Ah yes. The damn Yankees.”
That makes me laugh.
“Gil, give it a rest,” Asher says.
“Oh. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to monopolize the conversation.”
Asher turns to Eve. “Jaden has to leave soon. Why don’t you and Gil give us a few minutes?”
“Okay, I can take a hint. Come on, Gil.” She sets her water glass on the table. “Have a great life, Jaden, if I don’t see you again. Say, “Hi” to Patrick for me.” She hugs me quickly.
“Nice to meet you,” Gil says and shakes my hand. Asher closes the door behind them.
“So what’s with that guy anyway? Is he an intergalactic-trivia wonk or something?” I ask, parsing through a stack of books on Asher’s desk.
He laughs. “Gil’s all right, just annoying at times. He’s an automaton, like your buddy Ralston.”
I whip my head around. “What did you say?”
“He’s an automaton, a robot.”
“I know what an automaton is. Ralston is not an automaton.”
He stares at me, eyebrows raised. “Uh, yeah he is. I’m sorry, I thought you knew.”
“Asher, he’s not,” I say flatly. “He’s human. He eats and drinks and sleeps. I’ve even seen him sweat. And he has emotions. All kinds of emotions. Plus, he’s totally vain. He’s nothing like a robot.”
“Well that’s kind of the point,” Asher says. “You’re not supposed to be able to tell they’re robots. They’re designed to be as human-like as possible. They eat, drink, sleep, make jokes, show sympathy, express anger. They can blush or go ghostly white at the appropriate times. Hell, the more expensive models even bleed a few drops if they get cut. I’ll bet you’ve never seen Ralston shave, though. They haven’t figured out the hair growing thing yet. They have to replenish their scalp hair every ten years or so.”
“I don’t believe you,” I say. But my stomach must believe him because it’s starting to churn.
“Think about it, Jade. How come he knows so much about so many things? How do you think IUGA can have agents everywhere who know exactly how destiny is supposed to unfold and who make sure it goes according to plan? They couldn’t use humans. We aren’t as reliable as their army of robots. Humans can be unpredictable. They don’t stick to the code, and they let emotions get in the way.”
Slumping down on Asher’s couch, I think I may lose my lunch any second on his nice white rug.
“What’s wrong, Jade? Why are you so upset?” he asks sitting down on the coffee table in front of me.
“Ralston’s my friend, my best friend other than Ryder. He’s the only one who knows all about me. I depend on him for so many things, and I trust him … or I did. I can’t believe he never told me.”
“It’s against the code, Jade. They’re not supposed to divulge that they’re not human. He can’t break the rules. His program won’t allow it.”
“But he’s broken the rules for me before.” I finger the wolf-head pendant dangling from the chain around my neck. “He stole this necklace for me from the princess’s things. He wasn’t supposed to. He said he’d be in big trouble if they found out.”
“I don’t know what to tell you. I’ve never heard of any of them breaking the rules unless there’s some kind of malfunction. Maybe it was a ploy to get you to trust him.”
“They must be some kind of sick bastards if they’d stoop to that.”
“They’ve done far worse,” Asher says quietly. “He’s loyal to IUGA, Jade. They own him. Literally. My advice is never turn your back on him.”
I want to cry, but I’m not going to do it in front of Asher. He must think I’m some kind of pathetic loser. Like that castaway guy Tom Hanks played, whose best friend was a basketball named Wilson.
Standing abruptly, I say, “It’s late. I need to get home. My guard and driver are waiting in front of Bartlett’s. It’s probably raining by now.”
“Okay. I’ll take you and make sure you get back all right.”
“No. I’d better go alone. Just program my bracelet for me, please.” I hold out my arm. Asher flips open the top and touches a few virtual keys.
“Okay, I’ve saved this location for you, and I put in the coordinates to get you back to Bartlett’s.”
“Thanks,” I say sullenly.
“God, Jade. I’m so sorry. I really didn’t mean to upset you, especially when I might never see you again.” He’s clearly dejected, and I’m being rude.
“Ash. I’m sorry. Thank you so much for everything. I wish things could have worked out differently. Arumel is really amazing, and Narowyn’s a remarkable lady. I think I could have been happy here,” I say sincerely. “But my heart is somewhere else, and I can’t function without it, so I need to be there too.”
He pulls me close to him. “Don’t forget me, Jade.” I feel his warmth and the beating of his heart. “Don’t forget about the Transcenders. We’ll always be here should things ever change for you.”
Smiling, I kiss his cheek. “Thanks, Ash.” Taking a step back, I double-click the side of my bracelet. Zzzt.
THIRTY-NINE
I land in the deserted alley behind Bartlett’s. It’s sprinkling rain, and I’m glad, because the tears pressing behind my eyes can no longer be contained. Leaning against the wall, I put my face in my hands. It’s been a fantastic-horrible day. I loved seeing Arumel and meeting the others. But Narowyn’s story of her ill-fated relationship weighs heavily on my mind, and learning the shocking truth about Ralston has shaken me to my core. Why did I ever leave Connecticut? I must have been temporarily insane. My life there seems to be fading a little more each day, and I fear I couldn’t go back now, even if I wanted to. I’ve seen too much. I know too much. Wretched and confused, I wrap my arms around myself.
“Jade? Are you all right, my dear?” I raise my head. Ralston watches me intently from the mouth of the alley, his collar pulled up against the rain.
Straightening my posture, I wipe my nose with the back of my hand. My first impulse is to s
nap at him not to call me “my dear” ever again, but I’m not ready to have it out with him just yet, so I let it pass. “I’m fine. Let’s get back to the palace.”