Transcender Trilogy Complete Box Set

by Vicky Savage

  “Here you are, dear. It’s mainly for your textbooks and class notes, but certain games and videos have been included. Additionally, you may download whatever else you wish.”

  “Great. Thanks.” I turn it over in my hand, baffled as to how a clear piece of glass can do all that.

  “Will you be at dinner tonight?” she asks.

  “Yes. I’ll see you then.”

  With all the earlier commotion, it appears Callie decided not to stick around outside Narowyn’s door. I take the stairs to the third floor and meet Asher in the hallway. He’s wearing gym clothes with a towel draped around his neck. Sweat-drenched locks of hair cling to his forehead and neck.

  “Good workout?” I ask.

  “Yeah. You’ll have to come with me sometime. Gym’s on the second floor. He eyes my armload of things. “I see you got your schedule and your handbook.”

  “Yep. All set to start training tomorrow.”

  “Great. You’ll be ready to get out in the field before you know it.”

  “Narowyn says a few months. We’ll see. Anyway, I’m glad I bumped into you. Do you have some time this afternoon to take me shopping for my apartment. I mean, it’s kind of pathetic in its current vanilla condition, and I could use your je ne sait quoi.”

  He laughs. “Stick to English, Jade. What you want is my savior-faire.”

  “What I want is your mad decorating skills.”

  He pulls the towel from his neck and mops his forehead. From the looks of his arms and legs he must work out often. “Sorry, Jade, I can’t this afternoon. I have another commitment. But what about tomorrow? What time do you finish up?”

  “I’m done at one thirty.”

  “We can virtual shop from your apartment, if you want. You know, try things out holographically. I always like to see things in person, though—touch the fabric, test the sturdiness, that type of thing. How about we grab a late lunch downtown? After that, I’ll take you to this amazing place, Trope’s Home Furnishings. It’s no Target, but I think they’ll have everything you need.”

  I laugh. “Sounds great. You going to be at dinner tonight?”

  “Yeah. It’s lasagna night. Wouldn’t miss it,” he says with a grin.

  “Okay, see you then.”

  Since I have nothing to do for the rest of the afternoon, and after seeing Asher’s toned body, I decide this might be a good time for me to resume my workout program. The Chateau’s gym is large, bright, and well-equipped.

  After warming up on a treadmill, I decide to do a circuit or two on the machines. They’re pretty much the same as the ones at the YMCA in Madison, except these have clear overhead screens attached. The screens display the weight resistance, number of reps, current heart rate, and calories burned. It’s kind of cool until, in the middle of my routine, I hear a little ding, ding, ding and a flashing red message appears on the screen. A man’s voice authoritatively informs me I’m not lifting my arms high enough.

  If I wanted to be nagged, I’d hire a personal trainer. After a minute, I figure out how to disable the obnoxious screens, and do the rest of my workout in peace. By the end of my second circuit, I’m winded and beat. I’m more out of shape than I realized. I down a glass of cucumber water and trudge through the outside door in search of Callie. She’s nowhere to be seen on the grounds. I call a few times, but nothing. I hope I wasn’t just a one night stand for her.

  After a hot shower, I sit cross-legged on my bed and open up my new Transcender Handbook. Page one contains the Transcender Mission Statement: To enhance quality of life for all and encourage multiuniversal cooperation through the nonintrusive study of parallel societies and ecosystems. Sounds lofty.

  The Transcender Code of Conduct begins on page two. My eyes begin to glaze over as I scan down a dozen rules relating to being a Transcender. I toss the book aside and slump back into my pillows, feeling a little crabby. I’ve only been out of high school for a week, and I’m definitely not ready for more rules.

  “Vasa, put on some music please.”

  “Good afternoon, Jaden. What type of music do you prefer?”

  “I don’t know. Something soft. I’m ready for a nap.”

  “I have a collection of piano instrumentals with gentle sounds of the ocean in the background.”

  “Hmm, sounds perfect.”

  THIRTY-FOUR

  The main dining room is already half full by the time I arrive for dinner. As the newest member of the Transcender community, I still feel awkward when I’m in a large group. The room is bathed in a soft golden glow of candlelight and dimly-lit chandeliers. I crane my neck for a sign of Asher or Ralston, but neither of them has arrived yet. Urick and a few members of his team are seated on one side of the long plank table. I consider taking an empty seat next to Nila, but Narowyn calls to me from the head of the table.

  “Jaden, please come and sit next to me.”

  I’m relieved at the invitation, and I plant myself in the empty seat on Narowyn’s right.

  “I’d like you to meet my husband,” she says. The gentleman on her left stands and extends his hand to me. “Hugh, this is Jaden Beckett. Jaden, this is Hugh Du Lac.”

  “Nice to meet you,” I say. “I’ve heard so much about you.” This is the first time I’ve seen Narowyn’s husband at the Chateau.

  “We’re happy you’re finally here,” he says, shaking my hand with gusto. “Narowyn did not have a moment’s peace or a good night’s sleep until you arrived safely back in Arumel.”

  “Hugh exaggerates,” Narowyn says, her eyes betraying slight embarrassment. “But we are happy to have you with us again.”

  Asher makes an entrance looking extra gorgeous in a loose silk shirt the same pale green as his eyes. He whispers something to the woman seated on my right, and she graciously gives up her seat to him. “You look beautiful,” he says, kissing my cheek.

  Gil and Ralston trundle in moments later and sit together near the end of the table. Ralston catches my eye and nods. Once everyone is seated, Narowyn rises and the room grows silent.

  “Good evening. It is wonderful to see you all tonight. This is a special evening. We are blessed to welcome our newest sister, Jaden, back into our household after her extended visit home. In keeping with our house tradition, before we begin our meal, I’d like to ask Jaden to share a few words of gratitude with us on any subject she desires.” She smiles at me, eyes shining. “Jaden, if you would be so kind …”

  I’m jolted as if she just threw a glass of cold water in my face. Narowyn reseats herself, and all eyes turn to me. My brain scrambles to compose a few cheesy lines about how great it is to be in my new home with my new brothers and sisters, and yada, yada, yada. But No! I refuse to be that person, even if I was blind-sided.

  “Thank you, Narowyn,” I say, looking into the faces around the table. “Most of you don’t know me well. But you probably do know that I recently lost a beloved husband. And though we were not married long, I found it difficult in the beginning to dwell on anything other than the enormity of my loss. But one morning I awoke to sunshine streaming through the bedroom curtains. The simple beauty of that brilliant light sliced through the pain and darkness, and for the briefest moment, I experienced a small spark of hope.

  “Since then, I try to find something hopeful to hold onto each day—something that touches me or brings me joy. I’ve made it a practice to jot these things down on what I call my Gratitude List. It’s a deeply personal compilation, but I’d like to share it with you.”

  I tug the somewhat tattered list from my dress pocket and slowly begin to read.

  “Gratitude List:

  Sunshine through white curtains.

  A good hair day. (This draws a few snickers from the table.)

  Crisp, salty bacon. (A few groans.)

  Warm hugs.

  A father’s love.

  A purring kitten.

  A friend from childhood.

  A brother’s lame jokes.

  Freshly baked cinnamon rolls
. (Some mmms from the group.)

  A kind and generous savior. (I nod to Narowyn.)

  Financial security. (A chorus of quiet amens from the table.)

  Someone who lets me be me. (I cut my eyes to Asher.)

  Old movies late at night.

  Guardian angels. (I tip my head to Urick’s team.)

  A high school diploma.

  Sweet love songs.

  Familiar blue eyes. (I smile at Ralston.)

  A dog’s goodness.

  An awesome and frightening ability.

  A fading sketch of someone I love.”

  Quiet applause and murmured expressions of appreciation arise from the table.

  “Thank you, Jaden,” Narowyn says, “for sharing part of yourself with us tonight. Your list was quite moving, and I feel as if I know you better than I did before.”

  More applause. I tuck the list into my pocket. It wasn’t so bad really, opening my soul to a bunch of strangers. In a weird way, it made me feel more at ease. My own version of group therapy, I guess.

  Narowyn signals for the food to be served, and the sounds of silverware clinking against china and friendly conversation mix with heavenly food aromas and suffuse the room with intimate warmth. Asher seems in high spirits. He talks about the fun we’re going to have on our shopping excursion tomorrow. Hugh Du Lac turns out to have a wry sense of humor. His droll comments make Narowyn laugh softly, and they hold hands under the table. I feel a tinge of envy at their close relationship.

  The spinach and cheese lasagna is delicious. I’m still getting used to the meatless diet, but when the dessert plates are finally cleared away, I feel stuffed and a little drowsy.

  After we say “goodnight” to Narowyn and Hugh, Asher escorts me out of the dining room. “Is one-forty-five okay for tomorrow, or will that rush you too much?” he asks.

  “It’s perfect. Want to come over for tea and teach me the Transcender Handbook tonight?”

  “Tempting, but I’ll have to pass. See you tomorrow.”

  I’m a little disappointed until I catch sight of Ralston in the hallway, with Callie by his side. “This girl was waiting patiently for you.” he says.

  I bend to hug her, and she licks my face. “I hoped she’d come back tonight.”

  “I think you’ve made a friend for life. Actually, I think you made a few friends this evening. Your recitation before dinner was quite lovely, especially the part about the blue eyes.”

  “You knew you’d be on the list, Rals. You up for some tea tonight?”

  “I wish I could, but I promised Gil a game of chess this evening. He’s down two games, and he’s really rather competitive.”

  “Well, I’m glad you’ve made a friend too.”

  “Yes. It’s a symbiotic relationship, he’s teaching me the ins and outs of life at the Chateau, and I’ve shown him a few adjustments to his program that make him a bit more … shall we say, human.”

  “I probably wouldn’t mention that to Narowyn, if I were you.”

  “I had no intention of doing so,” he says with a mischievous wink. “Sleep well, my dear.”

  Although I’m still not completely comfortable with the dashing new Rals, I hug him affectionately. “See you tomorrow.”

  * * *

  “Good morning, Jaden” Vasa says, “The time is now six a.m.”

  At first I’m disoriented by the voice speaking to me in my darkened room, but then I remember I asked Vasa to wake me early this morning so I could go over the Transcender Handbook.

  I feed Callie and let her outside before parking myself at the kitchen table to review the Transcender Code of Conduct. It’s a list of twelve rules and detailed explanations for each one. They are pretty much what I expected. The bottom line is simple: When visiting a parallel earth, be respectful, friendly, and observant, don’t screw with the ecosystem, and don’t bring back any souvenirs. Even I can’t mess that up.

  The last rule is the one that Eve got in trouble for violating when she used advanced medicine on Patrick:

  12. To refrain from employing advanced technology, medicine, or weaponry on any parallel earth, except as needed to defend, protect, or assist an exploration partner or fellow Transcender.

  The second half of the book contains the regulations or the law behind the rules of the Code of Conduct. I study each one carefully. It’s a lot of fancy wording, but basically it says keep to the code or there will be consequences.

  When I finally finish the last page, my watch reads eight fifty-five. Damn! I’m going to be late for my first Firearms Training session. It’s on the other side of the property in the Transcender Police Barracks. I slam my book shut and bolt out of my chair, ready to sprint across the grounds, until it dawns on me that I can just shift over. Whew.

  “Vasa, lights off, music off, coffee off, please.”

  “Lights, music, and coffee off. Have a nice day, Jaden.”

  Mental note: don’t ask for “lights off” until ready to walk out the door. Groping around in the dark hallway, it takes me a minute to locate the door knob, and I make my way out to the elevator.

  Once outside the Chateau, I use my finger to pinpoint the barracks on the holographic map inside my TPD and double-click the latch. Zzzt!

  I alight just outside the barracks and take the stairs to the main door. Inside, a large woman with styled blonde hair and reading glasses sits at a reception desk. She seems engrossed in her electronic reader, but looks up when she hears the door latch close.

  “G’mornin’,” she says. “May I help you?” Her accent is strongly southern.

  “Hi. I’m Jaden Beckett. I’m here for firearms instruction.”

  She switches off her ereader and heaves her large frame up from the desk. “Well, I’m happy to meet you, Jaden.” she extends a beefy hand. “I’m Eloise. I’ll be your instructor.”

  “Oh. Nice to meet you too, Eloise.” I was expecting one of those slick, black ops types with a buzz cut and badass attitude. In her flowy, white linen top and pants, Eloise looks more like she should have her own cooking show.

  “Follow me to the armory, and we’ll fix you up with a weapon.” I hurry to keep up with her brisk strides down the hallway until she stops at a service window.

  Jeffrey, the skinny carrot-top, sits behind the counter.

  “Hey, Jeffrey. You know Jaden, here?”

  Jeffrey breaks out a cheery smile. “Sure I do. Hi, Jaden.” He waves a freckled hand at me.

  “We need to get her set up with a pistol,” Eloise says. “I’m thinking we might try a couple of the Colts, maybe a Sig, and a Kimber 1911.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Jeffrey buzzes us through the metal door next to his window. He unlocks a security gate to one of the rooms, and we follow him inside. The walls of the room are covered with hundreds of different makes and models of guns.

  “Let me see your hand, Jaden,” Eloise says. I hold out my hand, palm up.

  She peruses the wall displays for a moment, and selects three different pistols. “These’ll do, Jeffrey. Can you get us set up in the back?”

  “Yes, ma’am. I’ll meet you over there.”

  “The shootin’ range is this way,” Eloise says, jerking a thumb over her shoulder. After leaving the armory, we take another hallway to an outside door.

  “So, how come I’ve never seen you at the Chateau before?” I ask her as we walk.

  “Oh, I’m not a Transcender, hon.”

  “You’re not?”

  “No. I’m just the top shooter in the five-county area. Miz Du Lac wanted you to have the best.” Her smile betrays a hint of pride.

  A long, low building behind the barracks has been outfitted as a shooting range. It’s brightly lit inside with several lanes partitioned off for target practice. We stop at a sleek, black counter opposite the front door. A rack of protective glasses sits on top. The back wall is plastered with used paper targets baring the name and the score of each shooter. Hall of fame, I suppose. A pegboard full of headphones covers the
wall to the right.

  “First, we’ll go over some basic gun safety rules,” Eloise says, picking up glasses and pulling down earphones for us. “Then I’ll let you try out some pistols and see what you like. Personally, I like the Sig, but it’s got a little too much bite for some folks.”

  I shake out my hands, a little on edge about the whole thing. “Okay. Well, I guess we’ll see.” I never expected to have a job where I was required to pack heat.

  Jeffrey steps inside carrying three gun cases and a set of targets. “Got the place all to yourselves today, ladies,” he says, grinning. “I’ll set you up in lane ten.”

  After Eloise goes over the safety rules with me, we put on our protective eyewear and super-soundproof headphones. She holds the first pistol in her palm.