by Gin Hollan
“You can't be serious.” Her voice dropped an octave. Yes, she had to admit to a little trepidation when it came to him. What sane person wouldn't? “He's lying if that's what he told you.”
“I suspect this is a perception error. I blame how you met for your bad opinion of him. If you can see things from his side, you'll see the logic. Let him explain.”
“What does the King say about all this? Your loyalty is to him first, so you must have warned him … I mean, asked him if this particular guest would be welcome.”
“Well … I didn't exactly think about that. He just wants to talk to you.”
“Mel, you can't let him in here. You don't know him, or what he's capable of. You have no idea what his true intentions are.” Having an automaton terrorize and murder people solely to make her take his challenge seriously was as close to true evil as she'd ever seen. “He's a murderer.”
Melanie stepped back, scowling. “I don't think you're seeing this objectively. I'm going to tell Andun and I hope you get your head on straight by the time Howard arrives.”
“You two are on a first name basis?”
“What does that matter? I'll see you later,” she pointed at Arabeth. “And don’t embarrass me when you two talk.” Melanie stomped away, the rest of her breakfast slowly falling apart, forming a trail behind her.
Arabeth had trouble not smiling. Was that really Melanie? She did seem different, but not in a bad way like Sam had suggested. Gone was unconfident people-pleaser, and while Arabeth would normally applaud that, this new Melanie was rough, abrasive.
Maybe time would wear off the rougher edges. Arabeth sighed and followed after her. She still had questions and Melanie was the one with the answers.
“Melanie, don't be a cow,” she called after her.
Melanie's step faltered, but she shook her head and kept going.
With a laugh, Arabeth broke into a trot and caught up. She wasn't going to let meeting Howard ahead of schedule ruin this time with Melanie. The meeting would go smoothly. He wouldn't try anything in the capital, in the king's castle. He wouldn't get a chance to attack her again, if the thought crossed his mind.
Melanie stopped and turned, grabbing Arabeth's arm.
“Sam … You've seen Sam, right?” she asked.
“Sure, he was at the entrance when I got here,” Arabeth pushed her hand off.
Melanie sighed and shook her head. “I hate to say this ….” She looked around for a moment, then looked at Arabeth a moment. “It's a good thing you've resisted him. He's a real flirt here. I'm not kidding - he's got a different woman on his arm every week. Back home you were the only one who caught his eye, but these women must be exotic to him or something. It’s like he can’t resist.”
“Is this what you two had a falling out over?” Arabeth stood back on one heel, trying to mesh what Melanie was saying with what she knew to be true about Sam.
“Arabeth, that's not uncommon in this culture. Mistresses are common. They don’t call them mistresses here. They’re companions, like a group of adventurers or something. I can't tell you how many technically married men have been propositioning me.” She shuddered.
“Are you telling me that Sam has been … entertaining women in his quarters?”
“It may hurt to hear this, but he has.”
Sam was? Arabeth paused, not entirely sure she believed her ears. The first fracture of faith would start here, she knew, but truth was unavoidable.
“I guess he was testing me when he suggested calling off the engagement. He said he was lying, in case we were being overheard, like being engaged to him was dangerous or something.”
“Whoa, he called off your engagement? He’s further gone than I thought. Don't be surprised if he lies right to your face. He says the contradiction of police work is that sometimes you have to lie to get the truth, and it’ll be easy to misunderstand that his motives are still good. It’s become a habit for him. I’m not even sure he realizes he’s doing it in his personal life now.”
Arabeth sighed. Melanie used to be one of Sam's most staunch supporters. Now she wasn't? But Howard was the immediate threat. She gave herself a mental shake, forcing her focus to shift. She needed to get back on track, here.
“As compelling as Sam talk is, we need to focus on Howard.”
“Right. Well, I'll tell you everything I know about him, but you have to promise to meet him with an open mind,” Melanie pointed a finger at her. “Just hear him out.”
“I’ll hear him out, but I don't think you want to be known as one of his advocates. I mean, he's already used an automaton to rip two people apart practically in front of me, then said he did it to make sure I was listening,” Arabeth said.
Melanie blinked a couple times and her mouth fell open. “He … wait, he what?”
Arabeth's stomach started to turn as the memory came back. “We've met twice, so to speak. The second time was via a pair of lyars. I will never get the image of blood dripping off that automaton's hands as it tried to get to me, or sound of the screams of the two people it killed before that.”
They stood and stared at each other a moment. Melanie's furrowed brow showed there was a real struggle going on in her mind.
“I'm not trying to put you in a difficult position. I mean, the killing did happen where I couldn't see it, but the screams were real.” Arabeth's shoulders dropped. “And you deserve to know all the facts.”
“You know, I think the leading cause of me scowling is the stuff that comes out of your mouth,” Melanie said, rubbing her forehead. “Do you have proof it was him? I'll talk with him when he gets here. You stay back.”
“Not directly. What does that mean?”
“Simple - you think you saw something horrifying, and I agree - it would have been horrifying in that context. Really, though, did you see anyone get hurt? What if that … what if there was something else alive in that lab? Something inhuman … what if they had an experiment? You assume the blood is from a scientist, but it could have gotten the blood from a container of some kind, or an animal corpse. They could be studying anything there.”
“You're the one stretching now.”
“And you're making assumptions based on half-truths. Let me get the truth from Howard, then we'll know what to do.”
“I know what I saw.”
“But not what you didn't see.”
They faced off again, but this time Arabeth was angry.
“I did not ask for your analysis or opinion, and I'll thank you to keep them to yourself.”
Melanie huffed. “You don't have to like it, but you know I'm right.”
“I hope you stretched before reaching that far. You’re going to pull a muscle,” Arabeth muttered. “Let’s suppose I’m correct. Do you really think Howard would tell you the truth?”
Melanie stopped moving for a moment. “No, but I can tell when someone is trying to lie. There's a quality to their voice that can't be masked and… there’s more that I can’t explain here.”
Arabeth frowned as she considered what Melanie was saying. “Then you have to believe me.”
“I know that you believe you. That's all.”
“That's not very useful when talking with the self-deluded, then.”
Melanie looked around as though she didn't want them overheard. “There's something else.”
“I'm listening.”
“When people talk … I can hear what they aren't saying.”
“Wait … you hear?”
“Sort of. It’s the unsaid words – just the surface thoughts. It’s like someone whispers them to me.”
Now Arabeth was confused. Melanie's injuries from Blastborn couldn't have caused this, right? What if the crystals had healed her by actually rewiring her?
“That's exactly what happened,” Melanie said, holding their eye contact. “I knew you were bright, but that's pretty insightful. Rewiring … that's a good word for it.”
“How does it work?” she asked, wondering if it coul
d be as simple as it sounded. Melanie might be crazy again, but if she had a new talent, it was worth considering.
“Like I know,” Melanie snorted. “It just happens. I do have to maintain contact, but that's all I know.” She looked down to show Arabeth that she'd been holding the edge of her sleeve, with the tip of one hand barely touching her arm.
Energy - she was intercepting brain activity based on an electrical connection! “Fascinating,” she whispered. It fit with a slowly forming theory she had about the things she herself had been able to do, thanks to the sage's book. The formula's seemed to be divided into either matter or energy manipulation - the visible and invisible.
“Can it work both ways? Can you let someone else hear your thoughts?”
Melanie shook her head. “I've tried. I mean, it would have been the best way to prove I'm not crazy, so you're the first person I've told out loud.”
“And I haven’t had any sense of unspoken talk.”
The sound of steps nearby interrupted their talk.
“Excuse me, Sage - there is a man here to talk to you. His calling card -” the man held out a small pale blue card with fancy gold print toward Arabeth, “will be sufficient explanation, he said.”
Melanie took the card. “Thank you.” Looking at it, she sighed. “He's here.”
// Chapter 14 //
HOWARD. MOUSY BROWN hair topped a tall, thin frame in a knee length blue overcoat. His silhouette struck Arabeth as slightly noble and definitely arrogant. Back straight, arms crossed, and chin lifted just so - watching staff as they continued the day's preparations.
“Is there anywhere we can talk with him privately?” she asked Melanie, behind one hand.
“It’s a castle. Few places are truly private. I didn't expect him to be here yet.”
“What about your tower?”
“I'm not sure Gregor would want an outsider up there.”
Arabeth read behind her meaning - Melanie might have previously vouched for him, but her trust now wavered.
As he turned to face them, he locked his amber coloured eyes with hers and walked toward them, a slight smile on his face. Arabeth waited, forcing him to speak first.
“Hi, Howard,” Melanie said, “Your travel must have been swift.”
“Hello ladies,” he said, still staring at Arabeth.
She inclined her head in the barest nod. “You wanted to talk, so I'm here.”
“Talk? No, not talk. Tell. I want the pages you stole.”
“What pages?”
“Don't play coy. There are pages missing.”
So, he didn't understand how the book worked? That was a surprise.
“Why should I? It’s not like you own them.” Arabeth was struck by how possessive she’d become of a few random formula. She understood his demand, but she would not comply.
“Is that why you’re here?” Melanie looked disappointed.
“There are several blank pages and the evidence is all over you,” he said, ignoring Melanie completely.
“What? What are you talking about?” Melanie asked.
“Your matter-moving friend here has absorbed several of the formula's I need.”
“Matter … that almost sounds like an insult,” Arabeth said.
“It's always been matter versus energy. You should know that much. Both can use the same formulae, you know.”
“No, wait. We're new here,” Melanie said. “You're going to have to explain.”
“Who taught you how to absorb them?”
“It just happened - by itself - while I was reading,” she said, hoping to learn more about the ‘how’ of it herself.
“Well, you have to put them back before your body modifies them. It's not reasonable to pack them around under your skin like that.” He pointed to a faint black pattern circling her neck. “But it explains why you were able to lock me out.”
“Is that what those are?” Melanie asked. “I thought it was weird. Tattoos aren't condoned by society in Blastborn.”
“Explain,” Arabeth said, fixing him with a stare. “I haven't seen any patterns under my skin. You must be imagining things.”
Melanie put a hand on one of Arabeth's forearms. “Arabeth, it's there, on your neck.”
“Ah, that means you didn't do it right,” he said. “It's almost a miracle you can breathe. It’s starting to add up now. No one would put them on their neck. No one with sense, at least. I’m guessing there are more, under your clothing.”
She moved one of her hands up to cover her neck, feeling somehow over-exposed.
“Well, it's the age-old conundrum where what is simple often isn't easy. You read the book, tracing the lines with a finger I'm guessing. As you did, the chemicals transferred into you. Holding them under your skin like this opens up the rare chance that something in your genetics will alter the formula. Don't worry, I will help you get them out safely.”
“Genetics?” Melanie frowned.
“You really were isolated, weren't you,” his voice dripped with pity as he shook his head. “I should loan you my library. It's out of date, but not as antiquated as you all are.” He sighed. “Every living thing grows according to a microscopic pattern. That pattern acts as a guide to cells as to when, where, and how to grow. The study of that is genetics.”
“Melanie, I need a word with you.” Andun called out as he marched up, interrupting the conversation.
Melanie turned a quickly gave a slight bow.
“At your request, King Andun,” Melanie seemed relieved to be pulled from the current conversation.
Arabeth turned to give him a slight bow as well. Leadership looked good on him. It had only been a few months, but his confidence had improved. Had he grown taller too?
“King Andun, I was hoping to ….” Howard started but stopped as Andun took one of Melanie arms and led her a few steps away. Turning to Arabeth, he continued. “Fine, I'll finish with you first.”
“Arabeth, you're next,” Andun said as he walked back. Looking past his shoulder, she saw Melanie hurrying away.
Relieved to be free of Howard's conversation, Arabeth curtseyed and gave him her widest smile. “King Andun, it is a pleasure to see you again.”
“You as well,” he said as he took hold of her arm and led her away as well.
As he did, several well armored guards encircled Howard. They were armed both with short swords and the crystal-based pistol, like hers. Sam’s doing, no doubt.
Howard's expression was a mixture of shock, then dismay and anger. Frustration.
“Sam told me your story. I’m not happy that you brought your dispute here, where so many innocent people live.”
“Miss Barnes,” Howard's voice shot out. “I was talking to you.”
She looked back and saw the guards crumple, unconscious, to the ground. She hoped they were merely unconscious.
His eyes seemed to flare green as he raised his arms in the same sort of starting motion that Tamden taught her. A thin red line shot out from his hands. Instinctively, she raised hers out and flicked one hand in a circle, causing a yellow barrier to form between them.
“Amateur hour is over, Miss Barnes.” He started another motion.
“Fine by me,” she muttered. “Excuse me, Andun,”
The only thing she could think to do was the series of hand motions that pulled him out of the mountain in the first place, but that was pointless here. Without thinking she raised hers arms to be ready when she did think of something.
Her left arm started to itch and fingers tingle. Looking at her hand, she felt stuck. What was he doing to her? A surge of adrenaline shot through, making her heart race.
Thinking about the formulae missing from the book, accepting that they were now resident under her skin, she raised her fingers so her palms faced him. . The formula that sent her and Marble into the desert might send him away. To where, though? She couldn't put him back in the mountain. That would kill him.
“Transport,” she said
Wit
h no destination in mind, all she did was move him to the other side of the room. She imagined the storage shed Melanie's kidnapper had trapped her in and repeated the command. Howard laughed and blocked her attempt by pulling a nearby box in front of him. It vanished, sent presumably to the shed.
She’d need to work on her tactics, she thought. Her first use had only surprised him. She had to get better at this.
“That’s the one I need,” he growled. “Come here.”
The sound of heavy boots on rock echoed down a hallway, getting closer fast.
“I've outstayed my welcome, I see. I'll get that formula later, then.” He pulled a fist-sized device out of a pocket and pressed a lever on one side. A gateway snapped open ten feet away and he tapped his forehead with his index finger in a kind of departure salute.
Arabeth stood, mouth half open a moment as she stopped herself from needlessly yelling after him. So, that was how Sebastian had gotten into her workshop.
She couldn't let him escape like this. He was too dangerous. She couldn’t take him to Blastborn, although the prison there was her first choice. She hadn’t seen a prison here, so that wasn’t an option. Reaching out, she grabbed his shoulder and again, imagined the storage shed. “Transport,” she whispered.
Around them the world changed, but was it because he'd dragged her through the gateway, or because she'd moved them to where she wanted?
Dizzying disorientation passed in a flash and she looked around. Howard looked confused.
“Not the exit you planned on, is it?” Arabeth quipped.
“This is your flaw, Miss Barnes,” he spat. “You never think. You are all impulse and instinct.” He raised the device again. “Now there is an active gateway between King Andun and one of the places most dangerous to him. How long do you think it will take for him or his guards to decide to go through?”
