The Girl From Mars

by Brenda Hiatt

  It’s all I can do not to jerk away again because this third touch is even stronger than the second, sending what feels like an electrical current up my arm to ricochet through my whole body.

  “I definitely didn’t imagine that.” He looks almost worried now. “But I still have no idea how or why it’s happening. Even with M, our first touch was the most intense, but this felt like the strongest one yet. Didn’t it?”

  Honesty forces me to nod. “Is that…is that how—?” But I can’t say it. Pretending a taghal ardus tingle is the graell is such a tired, pathetic come-on line it’s laughable. In fact, the last time a boy tried it on me, I actually did laugh, right in his face.

  “No clue,” he replies as though I’d used the word anyway. “As far as I know, the only people to have a real graell bond in the last few centuries are M and Rigel. We can’t infer much from a sample size of one.”

  “Besides, like you just pointed out, I’m an Ag and you’re… I mean, that should make it even more impossible, right?”

  Sean shrugs. “You’d think so, but Rigel’s not Royal, either, and M’s Royal blood is purer than mine—more closely related to a recent Sovereign, I mean. Rigel’s not pure anything. His mother’s a Healer and his dad’s Informatics—whole separate fines. But whether it’s possible or not, I…I hope that’s not what’s going on here. You should, too.”

  I happen to agree, since I hardly want to be bonded to some Royal. But I can’t resist asking, “Why? Other than how much it would upset your parents, I mean.” I force a grin, trying to make a joke of it.

  He grins back. “Yeah, well, there’s that, too.” His agreement bothers me more than I expect. More than it should, for sure. “But the graell has other drawbacks. Like that tinneas M and Rigel get when they’re apart.”

  “They actually get sick? I figured that bit was added to the fairytales later, for dramatic effect.”

  “Nope. It’s why I had to stick so close to M when she was doing all those appearances, trying to get Acclaimed. Rigel’s grandmother wouldn’t let him anywhere near M, so she got really sick. My touch was the only thing that kept her upright most of that time. I guess we…still had enough resonance then that it was the next best thing to Rigel’s.”

  He’s clearly still bothered by it, and no wonder. Like Molly, I’m careful not to draw attention to whatever pain he’s still feeling.

  “What about afterward, though? Once she was Acclaimed, she seemed fine whether you were with her or not. Is that tinneas thing just temporary?”

  “No, Rigel’s grandmother had the Healers do a bunch of tests on him until they came up with an antidote, since he apparently got just as sick as M did.”

  “And didn’t have anybody like you to help him.”

  I’m suddenly struck by how hard that must have been for Sean. Knowing M was bonded with—in love with—someone else while having to pretend everything was great between them. So he could stay close enough to keep her healthy. I’m abruptly furious with her all over again for using Sean like that.

  “There are other downsides, too,” he says. “Like their electrical thing.”

  Confusion briefly replaces my anger. “Electrical thing?”

  “Yeah, when they’re together, especially if they’re upset, they can sort of…shoot lightning bolts. That’s how they destroyed the Ossian Sphere Faxon’s followers had before they could use it, and how they stopped the Grentl’s EMP from reaching Earth. It’s gotten a whole lot stronger since they, um, re-bonded. Scary strong. That’s why it wasn’t mentioned in any of the reports, so people wouldn’t freak out about it.”

  “Scary strong?” So that’s what Molly meant about Allister being lucky they didn’t hurt him. “How well can they control it?”

  He shrugs again. “Nobody really knows, according to Mum, which is why some members of the Council think they should be kept apart.”

  “Except then there’s that tinneas thing. I see what you mean. I guess having a bond like that would suck. So are those lightning bolts the big secret you said would panic people?”

  “Um, not exactly. But you shouldn’t tell people about those either. There’s been plenty of ugly gossip about M and Rigel already, without adding that to the mix. It might scare a lot of people if they knew. You won’t spread it around, will you?”

  “No. I won’t spread it around. I promise.”

  “Thanks. I…didn’t think you would.” He continues to hold my gaze, his blue eyes warming, his expression softening.

  Something inside me warms and softens in response. Though I’ve tried to fight it, I’ve been attracted to Sean from the start—well before that first touch. That attraction is a lot stronger now. He reaches for my hand again, leans in closer. I sway forward, too, ignoring a tiny voice in the back of my mind shouting that this is crazy. Stupid.

  A car door slams outside and Sean jumps to his feet, his ears red. Not looking at me now, he runs a distracted hand through his hair. “I, um… Mum and Dad must be home.”

  Half a moment later, Molly comes clattering into the room, slightly out of breath. “Mum and Dad are back! I wanted to make sure you—oh, never mind.” She looks from one to the other of us, her expression relieved, then disappointed.

  For a second I can’t decide whether I’m more disappointed or relieved either—then firmly tell myself I’m relieved. Definitely relieved. Kissing Sean would have created a complication I absolutely don’t need in my life right now. Or ever.

  I manage to get my heart rate and hopefully my color back under control before Mr. and Mrs. O’Gara come into the living room.

  “Well, it does sound as though it won’t be much longer before we have a secure and reliable communication network in place that will—” Mrs. O’Gara is saying, then breaks off when she sees me. “Oh! I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you had a guest.”

  Sean immediately steps forward. “Mum, Dad, you remember Kira, don’t you? I introduced her to you at church Sunday.”

  Mr. O’Gara nods, smiling. “I also drove her and her classmates to NuAgra on Thursday for their work-study program. Hello again, Kira.”

  Mrs. O’Gara’s frown of alarm disappears—she probably assumed I was a Duchas classmate who might have heard more than I should have. “Welcome, Kira.” Her lilt is more pronounced than Sean’s or Molly’s, whose accents are only slightly more “Irish” than a typical Nuathan’s.

  “Kira’s the one Sean told you about,” Molly volunteers. “One of the star players on the Ag caidpel team back in Nuath.”

  “Oh, yes.” Her mother’s smile widens, though she rakes me with an assessing glance. “You’re from the Agricultural fine, then, dear? That will be nice for Molly, to have a friend with that in common.”

  Confused, I glance at Molly. “What do you mean? I thought—”

  “I’m adopted,” Molly explains with no trace of embarrassment. “I figured everyone knew by now—it’s not exactly a secret. My real parents were killed when I was a baby, in Glenamuir. Mum and Dad took over their identities when Faxon’s forces started wiping out Royals, and they took me in, as well. But yeah, I was born an Ag—not that I’m a very good one.”

  “What do you mean?” I ask again.

  She shrugs. “I’ve never been very good with plants, like I ought to be.”

  Mrs. O’Gara smiles fondly at her. “Now, now, Molly. You have other talents to compensate. Emileia quite depends on you, both as a friend and as Chomseireach.”

  I’d known Molly acted as the Sovereign’s Handmaid in Nuath—one reason I’d assumed she was Royal. But what use would M have for a Handmaid here in Jewel? So much for pretending to be the same as everyone else.

  “Maybe next time you come over, Kira, you can show me some Ag tricks before I kill any more houseplants,” Molly suggests.

  Though I suspect it would be safer for me to stay well away from the O’Garas’ house after what almost happened with Sean just now, I nod. “Sure thing. I’ll get Alan and Adina to help, too, since they’re also Ags
.”

  Molly looks delighted—maybe at the prospect of spending time with Alan? I should definitely nudge him her way, if so.

  “Well, um, I should get home,” I say before things get awkward again. “Thanks for the homework help.”

  We say our goodbyes, Molly promising to have me over again soon. I notice Sean doesn’t echo her on that.

  Walking back to Diamond View Terrace a few minutes later, I resolve to keep my distance from Sean in the future. Already, he’s making me doubt some of what I’ve believed about the Sovereign and even the Populists, instead of me persuading him to our side. If some kind of bond is trying to form between us, I don’t dare let it get any stronger—which means never giving him a chance to touch me again.

  Congratulating myself on making such a mature, rational decision, I walk faster, refusing to acknowledge the sudden, hollow ache in my chest.

  25

  Technical foul

  Sean

  “That was very nice of you two, to invite one of your new classmates over to help her with schoolwork,” Mum says as soon as Kira’s gone. “I know it’s been difficult for both of you, having so few Echtran friends here in Jewel, but I’m sure that will change as you get to know all of these new students better.”

  Molly nods happily. “Kira’s really nice. She didn’t seem too friendly the very first time I met her, but that was probably because I was with M and she felt awkward because of her being the Sovereign and all. She was fine tonight, though, wasn’t she, Sean?”

  She shoots me a sly grin, which I ignore. “Yeah, she seems friendly enough to me. I’m, er, trying to talk her into going out for the girls’ basketball team next month, since she’d obviously be great.”

  “Oh, is that who you were shooting hoops with Sunday afternoon?” Molly’s grin gets bigger. “I should have guessed. I saw you two whispering together after church.”

  I feel my ears getting hot again and have to work hard to keep my expression neutral. Mum is already giving me That Look.

  “I figured she misses being involved in a sport, and basketball is almost the same as the chas pell kids play in Nuath. So, yeah, I asked if she wanted to come out to the school and practice since the guys and I do that most Sundays.” I carefully don’t mention the guys weren’t there this Sunday.

  Mum’s slight frown relaxes. “That was quite thoughtful, Sean, and I’m sure she appreciated it. Just…don’t forget that you two are from very different fines.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” Molly demands indignantly, though she has to know as well as I do. “Didn’t you just say we both need more Echtran friends?”

  One of Mum’s eyebrows goes up—always a danger sign. “Of course I have no objection to you—either of you—becoming friends with Kira, or any of the others.”

  Molly immediately jumps on Mum’s slight emphasis on the word friends. “You mean as long as it’s just friends? What if Alan Dempsey, that other Ag Kira mentioned, asks me out once I get to know him? Would you have a problem with that?”

  “Of course not,” Mum says a little huffily. “We allowed you to go to Homecoming with that Duchas boy, didn’t we? You’re sixteen. If you want to date one of these Echtran boys, particularly one from the Agricultural fine—”

  Molly lets out a snort. “I thought that was it. You’re okay with me dating an Ag, or even a boy from a different fine, but Sean’s only allowed to get serious with another Royal? Well, in case you haven’t noticed, there aren’t any Royal girls in Jewel except M. Maybe not even on Earth. Is that fair?”

  To my relief, Dad steps in. “Molly, that’s enough. Your mother simply doesn’t want to see Sean hurt again. See either of you hurt. Surely there’s no need to rush into anything?” He glances at me questioningly.

  “I have no intention of rushing into anything,” I assure them all emphatically. “I never did. I appreciate you defending my rights or whatever, Mol, but it’s totally not necessary. Kira and I are just friends—and barely even that. I haven’t even known her a week yet!”

  “But—” Molly looks at me accusingly and I give her a tiny head shake. “Fine. Whatever. I just hoped—”

  “I know. But it’s too soon, even if I was interested in…something more than friendship. Okay?”

  Reluctantly, she nods. “Sorry.”

  I smile to let her know she’s forgiven and Mum and Dad change the subject to the meeting they just had at NuAgra. Dad tells us about the communication network Rigel’s dad is putting together that will eventually be the equivalent of a whole separate internet accessible only to Echtrans, but I barely listen. I’m too busy trying to sort out my wildly conflicting feelings about Kira.

  I’m more attracted to her than ever after tonight, especially after those additional touches. So attracted I was incredibly frustrated when Mum and Dad got home, right when I was on the point of kissing her. Or, I should say, we were on the point of kissing each other. I don’t think I imagined her tilting her face up to mine…

  Quickly, I break off that thought. Because as soon as she left I realized how dumb that would have been, no matter how much I wanted to. During our conversation earlier, she all but admitted she considers herself a Populist—an Anti-Royal. And I happen to know at least some of those want M out of the picture permanently, no matter how much Kira tries to deny it. If she’s a threat to M, there’s no way I can let myself get involved with her. No way I’d want to get involved with her.

  Mum doesn’t have to worry at all.

  And if resolving to keep my distance from Kira makes my chest ache a little, well, that’s just tough. I’ll live.

  26

  Out of bounds

  When I get home, Adina and my parents are just leaving to take the new puppy for a walk so it can do its business before bedtime.

  “I’m still working on getting her to understand that she needs to always do it outside, so I’m trying to give her lots of chances,” Adina explains as I try to fend off the fuzzy thing’s effusive greeting.

  “Okay if I don’t come along to watch?” I try to control my instinctive grimace. “I still have some homework to do.”

  I wait until the door closes behind them, then go into the bathroom and lock the door. Opening the secret app, I type in a message.

  Sean O’Gara proving harder to persuade than I expected. Do we have a backup plan?

  There. With any luck, they’ll message me back with a different mission so I can avoid Sean and still be useful to the cause. I’m about to exit secure mode when I see a notification of an incoming voice call. Hurriedly, I activate the aural dampening field, in case Adina and my parents get back sooner than I expect.

  “Your location is secure?” Allister says the moment I answer.

  “Yes, but I may not have long.”

  “Very well. Please elaborate on the message you just sent.”

  I swallow. I hadn’t expected this. “I, ah, I’m afraid I might not be able to convince Sean O’Gara to join us after all. He still seems to be completely loyal to the Sovereign, even after everything she’s done to him.”

  “Are you sure?” Allister sounds disappointed but not surprised.

  “Pretty sure. He’s not spending much time around her these days, but he defends her every time I mentioned a mistake she’s made. Not only that, he keeps arguing her case, trying to talk me into becoming one of her supporters.”

  Lennox’s voice cuts in—he must be right there with Allister. “I told you this was likely, but you were determined to try with your nephew. If Sean won’t be swayed and is no longer close to the Sovereign, we’d do better to return to our original plan.”

  “For me to work at convincing all the other Echtrans in town, you mean?”

  “Not just yet,” Lennox replies. “We still need you to get close enough to the Sovereign and her friends to discover more weaknesses we can exploit.”

  “I did find out from Sean and his sister that the Sovereign and the Echtran Council don’t always agree on things. Mayb
e we can use that somehow?”

  Allister breaks back in. “Do you know what they disagree about? Does it have anything to do with us?”

  “Um, I don’t think so. Sean told me most of the Council isn’t happy about ceding their power to an upstart teenager…not that he put it that way. Can’t really blame them. It sounds like she doesn’t always trust the Council, either.”

  “Excellent,” Lennox says. “If there is already a rift forming, the Council is less likely to present the obstacle we feared. We must consider ways to deepen the conflict between them and the girl. Meanwhile, Kira, use any means necessary to insinuate your way into the Sovereign’s inner circle. Win the trust of her closest friends, particularly Rigel Stuart.” He says the name like it leaves a bad taste in his mouth. “Once you’ve done that, we’ll be able to proceed.”

  That will mean working harder than ever to conceal my real opinions, but it shouldn’t force me to spend time with Sean, which is a relief.

  “Molly O’Gara already seems to like me, so that’s a start,” I tell them eagerly. “She and the Sovereign are really close. I also have two classes with the Sovereign every day, plus Taekwondo on Wednesdays and Saturdays.”

  “Yes, a very good start,” Allister agrees. “Message us when you’ve gained enough trust to spend time alone with the Sovereign and her cohorts. Then we’ll arrange a lengthier conversation on ways to effectively undermine her influence. Have you any other information to give us before we close?”

  I wrack my brain, thinking over everything I heard this evening. “Molly let slip that you were lucky the Sovereign and Rigel didn’t hurt you when you first told them about Sean being her Cheile Rioga last year. I asked how, but she wouldn’t say.”

  “Hurt me?” Allister’s voice is sharp. “Do you mean—?”

  Even through the aural dampening field, I hear a door slam. “Oops, I think my parents are back. I should go.”