“Well, Peri certainly appreciates it, and she’s probably saving some people the trouble of hand pollinating.” Drawing one knee up onto the chair, I shifted enough that I could see him without straining my neck. “How did you know to look for the old records? I thought the Madreans didn’t remember their origin until the Federation showed up.”
“We didn’t. But when we found out, I searched the oldest sections of the castle and found a very old diary, along with some reports made by those in charge.”
He’d made several comments about reading, now. I tilted my head and studied him. “You’re something of a scholar, aren’t you? Is that why you want Madrea opened again?”
He lifted a hand to rub his forehead, and then sighed. “I believe the Federation has much to offer Madrea. My people should have the right to choose which path they want to take instead of blindly following a charter that was written centuries ago by people who have little to do with the present. Unfortunately, the king thinks of himself as a father, protecting his children from a harm they can’t see, and none of my arguments has swayed him from that belief.”
Mouth tilting in a wry grin, he glanced over at me. “Of course I’m thinking of myself, too. There’s nothing I want more than to travel to Alpha Centauri, see all the modern wonders, visit the libraries. A member of the Federation who was here before the king placed the ban told me they’re vast beyond description.”
I returned his smile, amazed at the sharp mind enclosed in such a wonderfully masculine body. “They are. And the best part of all: the information is available by simply touching a screen and asking for what you want. You don’t even have to leave home if you don’t want to.”
“Did you go to the university there?” There was a touch of envy mixed with a good dose of longing in the question.
“No, but I had the same education. GEPs mature faster than Naturals. We’re adults by the age of thirteen cycles, so all of our learning is very intense and very accelerated. It’s done in the crèche with the best instructors on the planet.”
He reached over and took my hand, the one not holding my wineglass, and toyed with my fingers. “Tell me about your life there, what living on Centaurius is like.”
“Before or after Kiera Smith’s journal was released?” I asked sourly.
“Didn’t you work for the Federation in both jobs?” His tone was curious.
“You could say that. But there’s a huge difference between the Department of Protocol and the Bureau of Alien Affairs. In Protocol, they kind of frowned on the employees killing other life forms. With Alien Affairs it’s almost a requirement. Did you know they taught me fifty-six ways to kill with one finger?” I snorted. “Talk about bloodthirsty. I mean, what if I forget and accidentally poke someone the wrong way? After all, I was created to make nice, to solve problems through diplomacy. I wasn’t created to be a killing machine.”
“I don’t understand.” His brow furrowed in perplexity. “If this Dr. Gertz made you like Kiera Smith, shouldn’t you be able to do the same job?”
My glare pinned him to his seat, and I yanked my hand back. “Look, Commander. Logic won’t win you any favors from me. I’m in deep denial and I fully intend to stay there. I want my old job back. I don’t want to be an agent like Kiera Smith. What Gertz did to me is irrelevant.”
Calmly, he took my hand again, and this time kept a firm grip on it. “We all fight change in our own way. Especially those changes we didn’t ask for and don’t understand. Politaus didn’t ask the Federation to discover Madrea. So now he fights to keep our world locked in a timeless prison of sameness without considering the benefits that the Federation’s technology could bring. He sees only danger instead of possibilities.”
“And you’re saying that I don’t see the possibilities?”
“Do you?” His smile was so slow and sexy it set my stomach twisting like a ribbon around a pole in a high wind.
Taking a deep breath, I forced my gaze from his mouth and concentrated on the conversation. “I see there’s a good possibility that sooner or later I’m going to wind up wading through a swamp teaming with nasty bugs and slimy, crawly things.”
“What of the people you can help by using the talents you were gifted with?”
“I can help them just as well from behind a desk on Centaurius.”
He did that brow-arch thing again. “If you were on Centaurius, who would be here trying to help those young girls?”
Abruptly, I became aware of the Imadei, warm against my skin. If Dr. Daniels was to be believed, I’d been the only person responsive to it. And without it no one would be able to communicate with or control the Sumantti.
Maybe Reynard was right. Maybe the children’s lives did depend on me, personally, being the agent sent to Madrea.
I’d never thought of it quite like that before.
“Okay, you win.” I sighed. “There’s no one else who could help them the way I can. I’m obviously meant to be here. But that still doesn’t mean I’m cut out to be an agent for the rest of my life.”
We sat in silence for a moment, contemplating the conversation we’d had. At least, I was contemplating. I noticed Reynard’s mind had strayed in other directions when I saw him squirm uncomfortably in his chair, a tinge of red inching up his cheeks.
“May I ask you something personal?” He was staring intently down at my hand, and I glanced over to make sure my fingers weren’t dirty.
Nope, clean as a whistle. “Sure. Fire away.”
“Do all GEPs receive sexual training the way Kiera Smith did?”
Aw, wasn’t that cute? He was embarrassed! Before I answered, I lifted my glass and drank to hide my grin. “Yes, it’s mandatory.”
Still addressing my hand, he forged ahead with grim determination. “Then you aren’t a virgin?”
Deliberately, I pursed my lips. “No, no, I’m not. GEP females have their hymens surgically removed before they begin sexual training. It eliminates the fear of the sex act and reduces the risk of any potential trauma.”
He gaped at me, shock written all over his face. “You mean they—you…” Carefully, he put the glass down on the small table between us and ran a hand over his face. “I don’t understand.”
I put my glass beside his and patted his hand in sympathy. Even Naturals who are used to GEPs sometimes have a hard time understanding us. That Reynard had done so well up until now said a lot for him.
“Let me see if I can explain,” I told him. “In archaic societies where it’s important to the males to ensure their genes are the ones being passed on, a virgin bride is important. It proves she’s not carrying the get of another male. So, the only real function of the hymen is to prove that the female hasn’t had sex before. In our society, where birth control is easy and abundant, the need for a hymen is eliminated. On the other hand, the first penetration for the female is usually painful, especially if the male isn’t careful. And not many are,” I added.
“For GEPs the situation is much the same, but for different reasons. Normally, we can’t reproduce, so there’s no worry about whose genes are being passed on. Plus, we have no societal taboos where sex is concerned. There’s nothing shameful or wrong about the act. It’s just another bodily function, something natural that’s meant to be enjoyed.”
“But the GEPs created by this Dr. Gertz can reproduce.”
I could almost see his brain working. “Yes. Apparently he wanted to make sure the bloodlines he created aren’t lost. But luckily, the crèche doctors realized early on that I was fertile. They thought it was an anomaly in my creation. To rectify the problem I was given an oral dose of a contraceptive that will prevent conception until the antidote is taken.” I thought for a second. “Kiera must have taken the antidote, because she has a daughter now.”
He squirmed again, and then cleared his throat. “Ah, do you take money for your favors?”
I blinked. Now what the scritch was this all about? “No, of course not. I was created for the Department of
Protocol, not to be a pleasure GEP. When I have sex with someone it’s because I want to.”
Red was tinting his cheeks again. “Have there been many times you wanted to?”
“Not as many as you’re probably thinking. I’m very selective.” An evil grin crossed my face. “What about you? Have there been many women in your life?”
Mumbling something indistinguishable, he dropped my hand and jumped to his feet like the chair had bitten him. “I’ve been here too long. It’s unseemly. And I need to begin questioning my men.”
Before I could respond, he was out the door.
How curious. “Lillith, do you have any idea what just happened?”
“Naturally,” the ship responded, her tone smug. “There’s a very high probability that he was trying to determine what kind of woman you are. Remember, in his society, there are only two types, and while all women are respected, he would only have premarital sex with a prostitute. All other females are off-limits. And you just informed him that you don’t take payment for sex.”
“But he kissed me!” It’s hard to wail subvocally, but I pulled it off.
“I imagine that even in this society, kisses are stolen on a regular basis by courting couples. In the commander’s defense, he’s male, he wants you, and you’d just scared him out of his wits by passing out in his arms. It was more an instinctual reaction rather than a thought-out act of deliberation.”
“She’s right.” I spun as Marcus strolled through the door. Lillith must have been repeating the conversation to him verbatim. “The commander would never have touched you without declaring a formal courtship if he hadn’t been so relieved you were recovered. That he slipped even that much is a measure of the way he feels about you. And he was right to leave. Being alone with you for as long as he was could very well hurt your reputation as a respectable young woman, and truthfully, I shouldn’t have allowed him to stay.”
I gaped at him. “For Zin’s sake, Marcus, I’m a GEP. We don’t have reputations to protect where sex is concerned!”
He helped himself to the wine I’d opened and carried it to the chair Reynard had vacated so abruptly. “To all of Madrea you’re a Bashalde girl and my ward. Unless you intend to declare your real identity, it’s imperative you follow the customs here. Especially since Jancen has taken the view that you’re a member of his family regardless of who your guardian might be. I wouldn’t enjoy being called out on the field of honor by a man of his age for neglecting my duty to protect your virtue.”
“You’re right.” I rubbed my temples, trying to ease the faint pounding I’d ignored when the commander was here. “I apologize. I forgot who I’m supposed to be.”
“It’s understandable, given the circumstances.” He sipped the wine thoughtfully. “And for what it’s worth, I think you were right to tell the commander the truth. He’s a fair man and very honorable. He’ll make a powerful ally. And I’m sure once he gets over the shock of hearing about a GEP’s sex life, he’ll start to see the advantages. The commander is very logical and straightforward, and he has a mind like a steel blade.”
Finishing off his wine, he put the glass aside, stretched out his legs, and folded his hands across his stomach. “Now, tell me about your conversation with the Sumantti.”
Involuntarily, my brow arched, mimicking Reynard’s favorite expression. “Didn’t Lillith tell you?”
“She gave me the facts. I’d like to hear your impressions of the exchange.”
My head tilted slightly as I considered the conversation I’d had with the stone. “She was angry. So angry in fact, that I’m worried about what she’ll do if she gets free.” I hesitated. “It was like talking to a child, Marcus. An extremely powerful, very scared child.” I shook my head. “I tried to convince her not to reach out for the girls they’ve stolen and she agreed to try, but I’m worried she won’t be able to help herself. Not if she sees it as a chance to get away from her captors.”
The fingers of his right hand drummed on his left for a moment. “How are they holding her? If she’s that powerful, how do they keep her contained?”
“I have an idea, but I’m not even sure it’s possible.”
“From your description, it sounds like they have her in a stasis box.”
“Exactly.” The pressure on my temples wasn’t helping much, so I closed my eyes to block out the fading sunlight. “But what’s confusing is that if it works on the Sumantti at all, would I even be able to communicate with her? I need to talk to Kiera. She knows more about the crystals than anyone else. Lillith contacted Max, and they’re in the middle of a jump back to Orpheus Two. As soon as Kiera is dirt side, I’ll have Lillith get in touch with her.”
Marcus’s chair squeaked and I knew he’d shifted to study me. “Your headache is getting worse, isn’t it?”
Narrowly opening my eyes, I looked at him through my lashes. “Yes. I don’t suppose you have any more of that stuff you gave me this morning?”
“I do, but it would be dangerous to give you more now. And if it’s worn off this fast, it wouldn’t help, anyway.” His tone was deadly serious. “Echo, you must find out what your psi ability is and start using it. Until you do, the headaches will only continue to get worse. Do you understand that this could kill you?”
Forcing a smile took all my strength. “You’re being melodramatic, Marcus. My headache is a result of the Sumantti yelling in my brain. You have no idea how loud and forceful she can be. I’ll be fine after I get some rest.”
His sigh echoed around the room as he straightened and leaned forward. “No, Echo, you won’t be fine. Think of it like this: your psi energy is water spilling into an enclosed reservoir. If none of the water is used, the reservoir will fill to capacity. But the water is still being pumped in. The reservoir can’t hold it all and pressure builds. At some point, one of two things will happen. Either someone begins to remove the water at a faster rate than the reservoir can fill, or the force of the water will cause the reservoir to rupture.”
This time the grin came easier. “Are you saying I’m going to explode?”
His expression was grim enough to make the first flutter of fear start in my chest. “That’s exactly what I’m saying. Until you acquired the Imadei, you had your reservoir blocked so no water could enter it. Even the simplest Orpheus crystals amplify psi ability. But the Imadei is a powerful crystal and your ability isn’t meager. It’s extraordinarily high. Since the moment you put it on, that crystal has been pouring metaphoric water into your reservoir at an enormous rate. And it’s starting to ooze through the cracks in your defenses. The verge sickness and the headaches are symptoms of the leakage.
“If you don’t start using it voluntarily, the ability will blast out on its own and you’ll have no control over it. Depending on what your talent is, it could destroy you and everyone around you.”
I made a heroic and futile effort to tamp down the fear that was suddenly choking me. “What if my so-called talent is growing plants? How would that threaten anyone?”
“Imagine this planet suddenly overgrown with a jungle so thick no one could cut through it.”
“Lillith, is he exaggerating?”
“No,” the ship responded. “If anything, he’s downplaying the danger. You need to listen to him, Echo. It’s not only your ability we have to worry about, but the Imadei. Remember, for all intents it’s a small Mother Stone, and we know how powerful they can be. It is imperative that you be in control of the stone, and that won’t happen until you can acknowledge and control your psi ability.”
By now my head was throbbing in time with my heartbeat, but that didn’t stop me from jumping to my feet and pacing frantically around the room. “Okay, I’ve got psi ability! Now tell me how in Zin’s name I’m supposed to use it when I don’t have any idea what it is.”
From somewhere in the distance I felt Peri’s startled query at my vehemence, and knew she was already winging her way back to the house.
“Admitting you have psi abilit
y is a good first step,” Lillith said. “And we do have some clues as to what it might be.”
“You’ve been discussing me?” I paused to look suspiciously at Marcus.
“Of course we have,” he answered. “At least, we’ve talked about your probable talent.”
“Fine.” I threw my hands up and then winced as pain shot through my temples at the movement. “What are these clues you’ve come up with?”
“You contacted the girls, the ones they brought in on the black marketeers’ ship,” Lillith said. “It wasn’t a dream, Echo, and we don’t believe it was the Imadei. The stone’s primary goal would be to connect with the Sumantti. Has that type of ‘seeing’ happened at any other time?”
Saying I had psi ability and admitting it to myself were two different things, and for a moment I wrestled with what I wanted the truth to be versus what it really was. If I did this, I’d be giving up any chance I had of returning to my former employer. I’d be an agent for the rest of my life.
It was a horrifying and scary thought.
On the other hand, it seemed I was to have no choice in the matter. Unless I was ready to die. Even I wasn’t that stubborn.
With an odd sense of relief I stopped fighting fate and answered the ship’s question. “Yes. Twice now I’ve seen Reynard when he was somewhere else.”
Marcus was fully alert now, his gaze pinned on me. “Was he aware of you?”
I hesitated. “Maybe. The first time, he was eating breakfast with a large group of men. After I observed him for a second, he suddenly looked up and scanned the room, like he felt someone watching him.”
“And the second time?” Lillith asked.
“It was later the same day. I saw him examine the castle door right before you told me he was doing exactly that.”