Evangeliya

by Tracy Cooper-Posey

  Anar swept up the supplies that emerged from the maw of the printer. “Let’s make the baby girl well again, hmm?”

  * * * * *

  When Anar had finished treating her, Evan and Gelin took turns in walking and rocking her.

  For hours she cried intermittently and refused to feed. Anar monitored her, while Liya took care of whichever man was not holding the baby. She went back to her apartment dozens of times to print coffee and food and make them eat and drink.

  When she returned after another trip to her apartment, to print a water feeder for the baby, Evan pointed to the wall that was common to this apartment and hers. He was sitting with his back against the bare wall and his feet spread, his hand lying useless next to him, while Gelin walked up and down the big room. An empty plate and cup sat next to Evan’s hip. “Is that your apartment on the other side?” he asked.

  “Yes.”

  “That wall wasn’t always there, was it?”

  Liya looked at the wall. “I don’t think so. My landlord said this apartment had been cut down because no one wanted all the space and he could get more credits for two.”

  “It’s a plasteel wall.”

  “I suppose, yes.” Liya shrugged.

  “I can put a door-sized hole in it, instead of you running backward and forward.”

  She remembered, then, that Evan was a plasteel engineer. “The landlord will kill me, if you do.”

  Evan shook his head. “I can grow the hole back over. He never needs to know.” He got to his feet. “I just have to print a plasteel scalpel. Can your printer exude something a meter long?”

  “I print one hundred and fifty centimeter bolts of cloth all the time,” she said. “That’s why I wanted that apartment in particular.”

  Evan took in a deep breath and let it out. “All this running out and in and back is making me dizzy. Let’s make a hole instead.”

  Liya opened her apartment for him and he stepped inside, looking around. “I didn’t notice, when we were here the first time, how crowded it is. Can we move the tables out of the way?”

  “They have antigrav gliders, so I can push them up against each other if I really have to,” Liya said.

  They moved the big worktables together, then pushed both of them as close to the wall as the storage cabinets would allow, while Evan’s plasteel scalpel printed. It was a massive tool with a sharp, pointed end and a variety of controls that he took time to set precisely, testing it against the wall itself at each stage.

  He moved the shelving unit out of the way of the wall, his arms and back flexing hard, then used the scalpel to cut around a rough door-shaped hole. Then he astonished her by simply pushing on the inside of the shape. The “door” fell into the other apartment with a heavy jolt, but not nearly as heavy as she had expected it to be.

  Evan picked it up, put it on one long edge and slid it behind her storage crates, while Gelin and Anar watched, their brows lifted and their mouths open. He grinned at them. “Much easier,” he decided, looking back into Liya’s apartment. He moved over to Gelin. “My turn. You go and eat.”

  Liya spread two of the cushions out on the floor, under the window and sat down. There was no need to run back and forth, letting people in so they could print things. They could just walk through to her workshop and help themselves.

  Chapter Four

  She woke when Gelin spoke softly and sat up, blinking hard.

  The lights in the apartment were turned down low. She suspected it was very late.

  Evan and Gelin had settled on the floor, against the kitchen counter, on a cushion each. Evan was deeply asleep, his head rolled to one side.

  Between them, curled up on the cushions with her thumb pushed firmly into her mouth, the baby slept. Anar was scanning her.

  Liya crept over and crouched down next to him.

  “So, doc?” Gelin asked.

  Anar smiled. “Temperature down to normal. The fever has broken.”

  Gelin let his head fall back against the wall and gave out a hard, gusty sigh.

  Liya touched his knee. “I’m so pleased for you,” she whispered.

  Evan stirred. “What?” he mumbled.

  Gelin squeezed his shoulder. “She’s okay.”

  “Hey, that’s…” Evan murmured, his eyes drifting closed again. The corners of his mouth lifted.

  Anar settled on the floor with a tired sigh and stroked the little girl’s downy head.

  Gelin picked up Liya’s hand. “Come here,” he said softly.

  Her heart jumped. Liya let him pull her up against him.

  He kissed her. It was the smallest touch of his lips, but it was a kiss. He was looking at her directly. “Thank you, for this.”

  She swallowed. “I’m sorry for getting in the middle, for helping, only—”

  He pressed his fingers against her lips, silencing her. He shook his head. It was the little movement of his chin that told her he would not change his mind on this. “You should have done exactly what you did. Both of you,” he added, looking at Anar.

  Anar gave a short bow of his head.

  “We were clenched so tight, Evan and I, we couldn’t see past our own noses.”

  “Parents are allowed to ask for help,” Anar said softly.

  “Yeah, well, now we know,” Gelin said dryly. He pulled Liya in tight against him and kissed her temple.

  “I like this place,” Evan said sleepily.

  “I don’t think you even know where you are, right now,” Anar told him, patting his cheek.

  “It smells good, here,” Evan said. “We should stay.”

  Gelin sighed. “I can’t afford this. Not even with my bonuses.”

  “It’s a good size,” Anar said, getting to his feet. “There are three bedrooms back there. I looked around earlier. When the baby is big enough, she can have one for herself.”

  “It’s too big,” Liya said. “Even cut down like this.”

  “Not for four people,” Evan said softly. His eyes were still closed. “And a bit,” he added, his hand settling next to the baby.

  Liya stared at him, her heart thudding. Gelin did to.

  Anar came back to sit in front of him, frowning. “Four?” he repeated.

  Evan sighed and opened his eyes. “I still can’t figure out why the AI thinks Gelin and I should be parents, especially after tonight. If you add the two of you into the mix, though—Anar and Liya—then it makes sense.”

  “It works,” Gelin said softly, in agreement, his voice rumbling against her shoulder.

  Liya pressed her hand to his chest. “A baby can’t have four parents,” she said.

  “Maybe not in the records. That’s just the records, though,” Anar said.

  “You said the AI can be wrong,” Gelin added.

  “Sometimes, yes, it is wrong.”

  “Let’s say it was wrong this time.” Gelin threaded Liya’s fingers through his and clenched his hand shut against hers. “I know it was wrong. I know I can’t do this without Liya. Evan can’t do it without you, Anar. The four of us works. So, fuck the AI. We’ll do what’s best for the baby. All of us.”

  “On one condition,” Anar said.

  Liya turned her head, the top of it rotating against the underside of Gelin’s chin, to look at Anar.

  Anar grimaced. “I refuse to rent this place. Rent is wasted money. I want to buy it—at the original size, so Liya gets her studio. She’s going to need it. Once Captain Owens has been seen in Liya’s ballgown, Liya’s business will go ballistic.”

  Liya gasped. “It was you who spoke to the Captain about me!”

  Anar smiled. “I may have mentioned you.”

  Liya hugged Gelin. “You can still do your work on the outside of the ship and not worry about the baby, because the rest of us can take care of her. It’s important work. You can’t give it up. Anar can work all the hours he needs to and not feel as if he’s neglecting anyone, too.”

  “I’ll have to make that doorway permanent, then,” Evan
said, frowning at the rough hole in the wall.

  “I just thought of a name for the baby,” Gelin said.

  Liya leaned sideways so she could look up at him. Evan supported her back.

  “What is it?” Evan asked.

  Gelin pointed at Evan. “Evan.” Then he pointed at Anar. “Anar.” His finger swiveled around to rest against the center of his chest. “Gelin and—”

  “Liya,” Anar finished.

  “Ev-an-ge-liya,” Evan said slowly.

  “Evangeliya,” Liya repeated.

  “I like it,” Anar decided. He picked up Evan’s hand.

  The baby stirred and stretched and made soft sounds, then curled up tight again, sucking at her thumb.

  Gelin turned Liya on his lap so he could reached the baby. His arm came around her waist once more and held tight. He touched the baby’s tiny shoulder. “Hello, Evangeliya. We’re your new parents.”

  Did you enjoy this story?

  How to make a big difference!

  Reviews are powerful.

  Authors like me, without the financial muscle of a sleek New York publisher backing me, can’t take advertisements out in the subways and billboards of the world.

  On the other hand, New York publishers would kill to get what I have: A committed and loyal group of readers.

  Honest reviews of my books help bring them to the attention of other readers. If you enjoyed this book I would be grateful if you could spend just a few minutes leaving a review (it can be as short as you like) on the book’s page where you bought it.

  You can jump to the book’s page on your favorite bookseller’s site by clicking here: https://books2read.com/Evangeliya.

  Thank you so much!

  Tracy

  The next book in

  The Endurance series.

  Skinwalker’s Bane, Book 6.

  They can’t stand each other.

  Devin Bronson has climbed from an abject childhood, determined to reach the pinnacle of the Endurance: the Captain’s chair. Association with the wrong people could destroy her hopes.

  Adam Wary is a typical skinwalker, living hard and fast, for life can be short. When his friend Lincoln dies and leaves a message for Adam to give to a woman called Devin, Adam tries to deliver, to Devin’s horror. Lincoln’s message threatens Devin’s career and pulls Adam into the dark underbelly of the Endurance in search of the truth.

  I cannot wait to read more in this series and learn more about the people that live on the Endurance as it travels through space.

  Get your copy of Skinwalker’s Bane now:

  https://books2read.com/SkinwalkersBane

  Learn the origins of the Endurance.

  Terra, Luna, Mars, the Belt…war rages, while Terra’s environment slowly fails.

  Torill Darya will sacrifice her marriage, her health, even her life, in order to see her work on humanity’s generation ship completed, for it is the one hope left to mankind.

  Forever is the origin story that begins the Endurance series, which science fiction romance readers call gripping, superb and fantastic. Forever will not be available for commercial release—rather, it is a special bonus for readers who love the series and other stories by award winning author Tracy Cooper-Posey.

  Sign up for Tracy’s newsletter and receive a free copy of Forever.

  Click here to get started: http://tracycooperposey.com/free-copy-of-forever/

  About the Author

  Tracy Cooper-Posey is a #1 Best Selling Author. She writes science fiction and romance. She has published over 90 books since 1999, been nominated for five CAPAs including Favorite Author, and won the Emma Darcy Award.

  She turned to indie publishing in 2011. Her indie titles have been nominated four times for Book Of The Year and Byzantine Heartbreak was a 2012 winner. Faring Soul won a SFR Galaxy Award in 2016 for “Most Intriguing Philosophical/Social Science Questions in Galaxybuilding” She has been a national magazine editor and for a decade she taught writing at MacEwan University.

  She is addicted to Irish Breakfast tea and chocolate, sometimes taken together. In her spare time she enjoys history, Sherlock Holmes, reading science fiction and ignoring her treadmill. An Australian Canadian, she lives in Edmonton, Canada with her husband, a former professional wrestler, where she moved in 1996 after meeting him on-line.

  http://TracyCooperPosey.com

  Other books by Tracy Cooper-Posey

  For reviews, excerpts, and more about each title, visit Tracy’s site and click on the cover you are interested in: http://tracycooperposey.com/books-by-thumbnail/

  * = Free!

  Blood Knot Series

  (Urban Fantasy Paranormal Series)

  Blood Knot*

  Southampton Swindle

  Broken Promise

  Vale

  Amor Meus

  Blood Stone

  Blood Unleashed

  Blood Drive

  Blood Revealed

  Blood Ascendant

  Beloved Bloody Time Series

  (Paranormal Futuristic Time Travel)

  Bannockburn Binding*

  Wait

  Byzantine Heartbreak

  Viennese Agreement

  Romani Armada

  Spartan Resistance

  Celtic Crossing

  Kiss Across Time Series

  (Paranormal Time Travel)

  Kiss Across Time*

  Kiss Across Swords

  Time Kissed Moments I

  Kiss Across Chains

  Kiss Across Deserts

  Kiss Across Kingdoms

  Time and Tyra Again

  Kiss Across Seas

  Kiss Across Worlds

  The Kine Prophecies

  (Epic Norse Fantasy Romance)

  The Branded Rose Prophecy

  The Stonebrood Saga

  (Gargoyle Paranormal Series)

  Carson’s Night*

  Beauty’s Beasts

  Harvest of Holidays

  Unbearable

  Sabrina’s Clan

  Pay The Ferryman

  Hearts of Stone (Boxed Set)

  Destiny’s Trinities

  (Urban Fantasy Romance Series)

  Beth’s Acceptance*

  Mia’s Return

  Sera’s Gift

  The First Trinity

  Cora’s Secret

  Zoe’s Blockade

  Octavia’s War

  The Second Trinity

  Terra’s Victory

  Destiny’s Trinities (Boxed Set)

  Interspace Origins

  (Science Fiction Romance Series)

  Faring Soul

  Varkan Rise

  Cat and Company

  Interspace Origins (Boxed Set)

  Short Paranormals

  Solstice Surrender

  Eva’s Last Dance

  Three Taps, Then….

  The Well of Rnomath

  The Vistaria Affair

  (Romantic Suspense)

  Red Leopard*

  Black Heart

  Blue Knight

  White Dawn

  Go-get-‘em Women

  (Short Romantic Suspense Series)

  The Royal Talisman

  Delly’s Last Night

  Vivian’s Return

  Ningaloo Nights

  Jewells of Tomorrow

  (Historical Romantic Suspense)

  Diana By The Moon

  Heart of Vengeance

  Scandalous Sirens

  (Historical Romance Series)

  Forbidden*

  Dangerous Beauty

  Perilous Princess

  Scandalous Scions

  (Historical Romance Series – Spin off)

  Rose of Ebony

  Soul of Sin

  Romantic Thrillers Series

  Fatal Wild Child

  Dead Again

  Dead Double

  Terror Stash

  Thrilling Affair (Boxed Set)

  The Endurance

  (Science Fiction Roman
ce Series)

  5,001

  Greyson’s Doom

  Yesterday’s Legacy

  Promissory Note

  Quiver and Crave

  Xenogenesis

  Junkyard Heroes

  Evangeliya

  Skinwalker’s Bane

  Contemporary Romances

  Lucifer’s Lover

  An Inconvenient Lover

  The Sherlock Holmes Series

  (Romantic Suspense/Mystery)

  Chronicles of the Lost Years

  The Case of the Reluctant Agent

  Sherlock Boxed In

  The Indigo Reports

  (Space Opera)

  Flying Blind

  New Star Rising

  But Now I See

  Suns Eclipsed

  Worlds Beyond

  Non-Fiction Titles

  Reading Order

  (Non-Fiction, Reference)

  Reading Order 2016

  Copyright Information

  This is an original publication of Tracy Cooper-Posey

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for third-party websites or their content.