by Vicky Savage
His expression falters, and I can tell he’s completely crushed. “You don’t like the new me?”
I put my hands to my burning cheeks. God, I can be such an ass sometimes. “No. It’s not that … It’s, well, you’re just so … handsome.”
A trace of his smile returns, and his pale blue eyes look meaningfully into mine.
“Your eyes?” I say.
“Yes. They’re mine. The technicians were able to salvage them, and my voice box, as well as my memories. I hoped that would help mitigate the shock of the change in me.”
“Oh god, Rals, I’m sorry. Come here.”
I wrap my arms around his neck and close my eyes. He smells wonderfully like his old cologne.
“I’ve missed you, my dear,” he says.
“Same here.” I release him and appraise the new look once more. Appearance shouldn’t make a difference, I know. But there’s comfort in the familiar, and this is going to take some time getting used to.
“How are you holding up?” he asks.
I lower my eyes. “I have my ups and downs.” This isn’t the right time or place to go into detail, and I need a minute to get over the shock of Ralston’s transformation. “We’ll talk a little later. Okay?”
“Of course. Please …” he gestures to the room. “Get some food and say your hellos. I shall be right here.”
I snag a glass of sparkling water from the tray of a passing waiter and wander to the buffet table.
“Jade! You’re home.” Eve bounces up behind me and hugs me enthusiastically, sloshing water all over my dress. “It’s been like a tomb around here. But I’m off restrictions now. Let’s do something fun this week.”
“Sure, that’d be great.” I blot the front of my dress with a cocktail napkin and link my arm in hers. “Walk with me for a few minutes, okay? I’ve forgotten some of these names. You can remind me.”
“Absolutely. And I’ll give you the inside scoop on everyone as we go.”
I huff a nervous laugh. “Just be subtle about it, all right?”
We smile our way around the room, and Eve whispers names to me as we approach different knots of people. She also offers juicy little tidbits here and there as we mingle with the crowd.
“Frank has a huge aquarium in his apartment,” she says, “and I swear he eats his own fish. Oh, and Judy over there—the tall blonde—she only dates automatons.”
“Do people really do that?”
“People who’re afraid of certain kinds of involvements, if you know what I mean. She’s been sniffing around Ralston ever since he arrived.”
After an hour or so, Asher makes his appearance. He says a quick hello to Narowyn and hurries to my side.
“I’m so sorry, Jade. I fell asleep. I’ve traveled backward and forward through time so much lately, my internal clock is completely screwed-up.”
“Don’t worry about it Ash, Eve’s taking good care of me.” She clamps a possessive arm around my waist.
“Have you seen Ralston yet?” Asher asks.
“Yes. Have you?”
He shakes his head scanning the crowd.
“He’s so pretty now, he’ll be impossible to live with,” I say.
“Where is he? I’ve got to see this.”
“I need to talk to him anyway. I’ll walk you over.”
“I’m going to get some food,” Eve says. “Can I fix you a plate, Jade?”
“No. I’m good. I’ll see you later, though.”
Ash is almost as blown away by Ralston’s new look as I was. “Rals you look ten years younger, my man.” He slaps him on the back.
“I feel ten years younger too.” Ralston runs a hand over his thick thatch of hair. “None of the nasty tics I had with the older model.”
“Hey, Rals. Can I speak with you for few minutes alone?” I say.
“I’d be delighted, my dear. There’s a lovely little sitting room just across the hall. Shall we?”
I set my empty glass on a tray and follow him to a homey, lamp-lit room. We close the door and sit in two arm chairs near the fireplace. It’s weird, I feel kind of timid in his company. I don’t think I’ve fully accepted that he’s really the same old Rals I know and love.
“Jaden, I was so very sorry to hear about Ryder. You must be devastated,” he says softly.
“Yeah, I’m pretty wrecked about it. Patrick’s dead too. Did you know that? An automaton from IUGA somehow got assigned to my protection team. Without your glasses, I never would have known, and we all would’ve been killed.”
“I only know some of the details, but it must have been terrifying for you.”
“It was nothing compared to watching Ryder fall from that tower. I felt helpless. I couldn’t get to him in time. What was he doing up there, Rals?”
He shakes his head slowly. “I wish I could tell you. As you know, none of the probable scenarios placed him in the tower room. Some alteration must have occurred after we were forced to give up the QP.”
“I can’t help but think I could’ve done something to save him.” I lower my eyes. “He died trying to rescue me, and I wasn’t really in danger.”
“His death is not your fault, Jaden. You sacrificed everything to ensure the well-being of your family. You executed your part of the plan perfectly.”
I look up with a tinge of resentment that he doesn’t have the same old amiable, avuncular appearance anymore. But his eyes convey his deep concern. I suppose I’ll get beyond his new looks soon enough.
“What happened to you?” I ask. “Why weren’t you at the stable to meet Asher and the others?”
“Oh, well, that is a rather unpleasant story. It must have been IUGA’s plan all along to be rid of me as soon as they were certain you were dead. I was ambushed the moment I set foot in the stable. My arms and legs were summarily removed to prevent my escape. What was left of me was whisked away to the graveyard facility where you discovered me.”
“I’m so sorry, Rals,” I rest my hand on his arm.
“Not to worry.” He pats my hand. “I’m in better condition now than before, and we’re together. It’s more than I could’ve hoped for.”
“Hey, you don’t wear glasses anymore?”
“No. Everything’s built-in on this model. It’s quite remarkable.” He grins, and I see some of the old Rals in him.
“So, do you like it here?” I ask, betraying my own misgivings.
“Oh yes. I have a flat-mate—I believe you’ve met Gil, the only other automaton in residence?”
“Yes, I met him before. Seems nice.”
“He can be a bit tedious at times, rather an unimaginative chap. But not bad company. Now that you’re here, though, I’m hoping to pursue some more agreeable pastimes.”
I smile. “Like whipping my ass at chess, you mean?”
“That, among other things. I assume you’d be up for some advanced fencing instruction and additional tutoring in French, perhaps?”
“Fencing, yes. French, not unless forced. I’m glad you brought it up, though. It doesn’t feel right, my not going to college. I don’t want my education to just stop right here. Maybe you can help me with that.”
“When do you begin your Transcender training?” he asks.
“I don’t know. Soon I think.”
“Why don’t you see what Narowyn has in store for you, and we’ll fill in the rest.”
“Okay. That’ll work.” I try, but fail, to stifle a yawn.
“You must be tired, my dear.”
“Yes, and time-zone loopy from all the traveling. Also, I need to go upstairs and send a message to my dad. I phoned him from Oxford, but I promised to send photos. Ash showed me how to do it on the polycom.”
“Then you should retire to your apartment, if you like. I’ll make your excuses to Narowyn and the others. I’m certain they’ll understand.”
“Really? You don’t think Narowyn will mind?”
“Heavens no. She knows what you’ve been through.”
“Thanks.
See you in the morning.” Even though it feels weird, I peck him on the cheek.
“Goodnight, old girl.”
THIRTY-TWO
Back in my apartment, the melancholy sets in again. The place has as much charm as a Motel 6.
After changing into my pajama bottoms and a tank, I stare at the photo of Drew and Dad for a few minutes before placing it on the bedside table. I’m grateful that they’re still in my life, even if I can’t live near them. Especially now that Ralston feels a little like a stranger to me.
I dig out my polycom and type out a text to Dad, attaching photos from our tour of Christ Church College. I program it the way Asher showed me so that it will arrive two days after my departure from Madison. I hit the send button and cross my fingers that it works.
The computer monitor sits prominently in the center of my desk. I’ve never fired it up before, but I figure this might be a good time to sync my phone to it so I can send and receive emails.
It takes me a minute to locate the “on” switch. Once the screen lights up, a multitude of unfamiliar icons swim before my eyes. I check the drawer for a keyboard or mouse, but find nothing. I touch one of the icons and a woman’s voice says, “Good evening, Jaden. How may I help you?”
I recognize her—same lady who works the TVs. “Uh, I’d like to sync my polycom with the computer and set up an email account.”
“Of course,” she says. “You currently have two active email accounts. By synchronizing your polycom with your computer, you will have the ability to share files between the two devices.”
“Really? What are my active email accounts?”
“Jaden Beckett at Transcender Society Headquarters, or Jaden Beckett at Oxford University. Do you wish to set up another account?”
“No. I think those are good. Do I have the ability to exchange emails with people on other earths?”
“Yes, if the other earth possesses the appropriate communications satellites. Would you care to see a directory of communications compatible earths?”
“No. That’s okay. Is earth 7Y12 one of them?”
“Yes. Would you care to send an email to someone on 7Y12?”
“Not right now. But what about sending emails back in time? Can I do that too?”
“This computer is not equipped with that capability. If your polycom possesses time transversing capability, once the devices are synchronized, your computer can triangulate with your polycom to transmit antedated emails.”
“Okay, cool. So how do I sync the devices?”
“Type this code into your polycom and press send.”
The code J7268954 appears on my computer screen. I type it into my poly and send it. The polycom screen lights up and a small brain icon appears with all kinds of colorful synapses firing inside.
After about a minute the brain is replaced with the message “Synchronization Successful.”
“You have successfully synchronized your devices,” the woman’s voice says. “May I help you with something else?”
“Not tonight,” I say, amazed that it was so easy. “Oh wait, before you go, what’s your name?”
“Vasa,” she says.
“Vasa? Does that stand for something?”
“Yes. Voice Activated Software Assistant.”
“So what else can you control in my apartment?”
“Computer, television, music—”
“I have music?”
“Yes. Each room is equipped with surround sound, and you have access to the entire library for the Chateau. Would you care to see the menu?”
“Not tonight, but we’ll do it soon. What else?”
“I can adjust the lighting and the thermostat, run your major appliances, and take telephone messages. Simply say a command.”
“That’s great. Thanks, Vasa.”
“You’re welcome, Jaden. Goodnight.”
The monitor shuts itself off. That was kind of spooky-cool. I may not be a princess here, but there are some perks.
I try to wrap my brain around how far an email would have to go to reach Dad on a completely different earth. But then again, maybe that’s not how it works. Maybe he’s really very close, being in a parallel dimension. It overwhelms me to realize how much there is to know about my new life. The learning process begins tomorrow.
My bed is soft and the plush comforter inviting. I squish the pillows up behind me. “TV on,” I say.
“Hello again, Jaden, what do you wish to watch?”
“Find me something funny and light.”
“Movie or series?” she asks.
Before I can answer, someone tap-taps the knocker on my front door. “Who is it?” I call, sprinting out of bed.
“Jaden, it’s Eve, I have someone here to see you.”
Visitors? When I open the door she appears to be alone, but she scoots to one side, and a yellow haired dog with floppy ears and liquid brown eyes waggles inside.
“Callie!” I crouch and scratch her fluffy head. “Hey, girl. What are you doing here?”
She slathers my face with wet kisses.
“She showed up at the front door a few minutes ago. We figured she was here to see you because she hasn’t come back to the Chateau since you two spent the day together.”
“This is great. Can she stay the night?”
“Sure. The people at the Community Animal Center will know where she is. All of the animals have chip implants that transmit their location and vital signs to the Center. The caregivers always know where they are and that they’re okay.”
“Oh, cool. Thanks for bringing her up.”
“You two have fun. Ta,” Eve says.
Callie follows me to the bedroom. She leaps into the center of my comforter, circles twice and flops down. I climb up beside her and pull her into my arms. The wonder and joy I feel at her unexpected appearance is almost mystical. She licks my cheek and settles in my arms. Pure dog energy seeps into my soul.
“This is good,” I say nuzzling her fur. “This is a good omen.”
* * *
Callie wakes first and nudges me with her wet nose.
“Morning, girl. You probably need to go outside.” She hops out of bed and waits, tail wagging, for me to do the same. I change into a pair of slouchy linen pants and yank on a sweater over my tank top.
When we reach the first floor, I follow the sounds of voices and the aromas of cooking to the main kitchen. I’m surprised to see a half dozen fellow Transcenders working with the kitchen staff preparing breakfast. It smells divine like sweetness and spice. My stomach gurgles when I spot a tray of gingerbread muffins on the counter.
“Is it okay if I have one of these?” I ask the skinny redhead standing at the counter cutting up fruit. I search my still drowsy brain for his name.
“Sure, Jaden. Help yourself,” he says with a sunny smile.
“Thanks Jeffrey.” I pluck his name from the air just in time. The muffin is warm and I wrap it in a cloth napkin. “Do you know if there’s anything to feed my friend here?”
“Yeah, sure. We always have food for the animals in the pantry. It’ll be on your left.”
“Great. See you later.”
Callie and I pad into the pantry. I pick up a couple of bowls and a can of organic veggie dog food, and we head out the back door. The morning air is cool and clean with a piney, fresh scent. Callie sniffs around the grounds while I empty the can of food into one bowl and fill the other with water from the outside tap.
I perch on a picnic bench and nibble my muffin while Callie eats. The Chateau grounds are gorgeous and meticulously maintained, reminding me of pictures I've seen of some grand chateaus in France. Trees line the circumference of the property. Sparkling white pathways crisscross vast expanses of lawn. Precisely trimmed hedges surround garden areas containing comfortable benches, playful fountains, and well-tended flower beds. The grounds crew is already hard at work, mowing, trimming, pruning, and sweeping.
A few attractive cottages dot the property. I know Naro
wyn and her husband live in one of these, and some of the married Transcenders live in the others. A large greenhouse hugs the southern border of the grounds and the Transcender police barracks is just visible in the distance.
“Jaden?” My survey of the estate is interrupted by a vaguely familiar voice. I turn to find a tall, sulky-looking girl with milk-white skin, jet-black hair, and an eyebrow stud, standing behind me. I remember her from my first visit here. She’s the only Transcender I would characterize as unfriendly.