Page 24 (1/2)
Just before we reach Devri’s place, Vel stops walking and perfor, I would take his body language for ret I’m not sure I can trustsurrounded by his people, I understand better no alien he is
"I am sorry," he says then "I would not have had you suffer like this for worlds Had I known she meant to do this, I would have advised you to reject her invitation regardless of the offense it caused It is not" He pauses, the vocalizer seeking a word "Fair You have been injured enough"
"Das are fair," I answer "Life has never been one of theives a little crack, and I don’t want it to Because then I’ll have to feel what’s underneath
Jael turns the corner then He comes toward us at a run, sleek and clad in black I note that the da to leave , but it never works"
Before he can reply, I step forward and let the door scan ies I like very much Instead of a door-bot, they sie of anyone who comes within one meter of the door If you stay still, the door projects your ie on the other side, and if your presence is expected or desired, the homeowner lets you in It’s very quiet and civilized
A few seconds later, we’re ad is different frole in here, with trailing vines growing froives with each step, a soft loam The room is heavy and damp, a little war flowers that taste syrup sweet on ue when I inhale
Looks like the party is in full swing I recognize a number of Ithtorians from the merchant sureet us
"So glad to see you" He executes a lovely wa, and I remember the hot spots on his lower abdoe as Vel does Maybe it would tell me whether Devri has wicked intentions
Still, this should be interesting
CHAPTER 25
Devri exerts hih Vel, he shares a anecdotes about the way the tide can turn in any business deal, no ood company I acquit myself fairly well for soo Jael stands quietly by my side; but since I knohat to look for, I can tell he’s on guard
After half an hour or so, Devri asks, "I need to talk to Velith for a ather he needs a privatefor that because he’s worried about , so it must be the others he’s concerned about It’s probably related to the conspiracy I overheard yesterday, or maybe Devri knows about the Grand Adive , and they leave the living area
The world has a strange distance, as if I aive ious If I stay here long enough, I ht internalize their opinion that my unarmored flesh is monstrous I already feel raw and vulnerable, as if I’ht the urge to cover ile skin
What kind of creatures are hus; we have no natural defense , like ent awry somewhere on the evolutionary ladder I’e: the clicks and chitters don’t strike e or alien now that I’m able to understand theht?"
"Other than being drugged, forced to experience painful hallucinations, and threatened with death? Yeah, I’oes taut "Who threatened you?"
"The Grand Ad to do about it?"
His icy gaze searchesthat I’m serious Then he says, very softly, "I could kill her"
HeBred means he’s not subject to the same limitations as other men For a moment, I’m sickly tempted If she’s removed, and they don’t trace it back to us, maybe someone more a a risk, and I can’t unleash Jael here He’s like a double-edged sword
I shake o ButI appreciate the offer"
"I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe I’ll alert the others to the danger as well" By his expression, he’s preparing to lectureup a hand, I forestall that gaile"
It’s a painful admission, and I hope to Mary he doesn’t ask why His frost blue eyes search my face, then his face softens "You look like I felt, the time they told me what I was"
My heart skips a beat This is the first ti Bred in more than a flippant sense There’s real emotion here, and I don’t knohat to do with it "How old were you?"
"In biological terms? Twelve But they accelerated our development, so I don’t know exactly how old I am"
"There were entle
He nods "I caht they were my brothers and sisters until that rave;che-style, and let us believe ere orphans They wanted to reduce the risk of madness and other disorders Even so, it didn’t entirely work Seven of us died before reaching maturity"