Jasper kneeled beside Mia and flipped her around to lay a hand over her chest. He closed his eyes, mapping her torso only to stop at her temples in a woosh that came with a bright light. Zoey saw all her bruises retracting from her arms and dissipating. The woosh came again, cascading light over her legs and chest until she convulsed as if pulled by an invisible rope.
Emma grabbed Zoey’s hand in comfort and gave a light squeeze. Of all the things they’d hoped to experience together, this had never been on the list. They both swallowed hard at the sight of her.
“Rufus!” Mia’s eyes burst open and she gasped, bringing herself to a sitting position. Horror gathered on her features as Jasper explained what had happened and what was to follow. She was dropping tear after tear like small rivers joining at her chin, her big blue eyes webbed red in her exasperated bawl, worn out from the energy she used to get everyone to safety except the one she wanted most.
In an instant, both Emma and Zoey ran to comfort her. They all cried together as if they knew each other, as if they held a common pain.
“Hell, spare some of them tears for me too!” Sam announced, making her way in under Mia’s horrified gaze. “Alex filled me in Mia, chillax.”
In a second, Zoey’s hands searched Sam’s face and buried herself in a hug along with Emma, who was sobbing loudly. They were together at last.
“How did you know to bring Sam here instead of her apartment, Mia?” Zoey asked, still trying to fill in the blanks. Jasper scratched the back of his head and felt the need to come clean.
“You’ve all carried trackers all along. I felt it between your shoulder blades, Zoey and then checked to see if Rufus had one. You both did, and Mia has one too. I didn’t tell any of you because I figured Beck was monitoring all of you and if we were to alter anything he’d know and maybe it could have affected Sam. As it turns out, he outsmarted all of us—he knew we were with you.”
“The trackers were designed by Etienne for multiple functions. I know because I was tracking you all from the lab,” explained Mia. “They also detect signs of foreign matter, so we knew when you found Rufus, Zoey, and that you were all coming together to Tallroad Drive. Beck was counting on that, and that’s all I know. That’s how we monitored you all along, Zoey. I’m sorry. I know I have one too, I just didn’t know where it was. Can you remove them, Jasper?” there was remorse in her voice.
“I deactivated them when you got here. I still have to do a couple of things before taking them out, but I definitely will tonight,” he assured.
Zoey shrugged, still hyperventilating. “Mia, if you can portal, why didn’t you leave when you first discovered your powers? Why let Beck abuse them?”
“They killed my dad last time I refused to obey, and threatened my mom would be next if I didn’t do as they said. I had no one to turn to, no one powerful enough to go against Beck. Seeing what he did to Rufus now was the last drop, I knew my only chance was sticking with you and I took it. If Rufus chose you, it was clear enough for me.” Mia sighed and pressed her lips together. “Is my mom dead?”
“Your mom is under our watch, Mia, we won’t let anything happen to her,” Jasper assured her. “We have to focus all our strengths on getting Beck out of the lab and on territory we can control.”
Zoey dared to ask the question creeping into everyone’s minds: “Jasper, is what Beck said true? Does your Alliance only cater to the strong and evolved?”
“I don’t like this any more than you do, Zoey, but there aren’t enough resources to save everyone. Just like here on Earth, there are species that become extinct because their natural environment changes. As humans, you haven’t managed to save all the species, not even your own. People are dying in Africa just like they do in the entire universe. Is it fair? No. I’m not going to lie to you all and preach the Alliance, because it has its flaws, but the planets I know that are alive today—members of the Alliance or not—are alive because of it.”
Emma crossed her arms on her chest. “So it’s like nature—the strongest survive.”
“Earth has the potential to reach level I and join the Alliance if that is what the representatives of your planet wish when the time comes.”
“Doesn’t sound like much of a choice, does it? Join the Alliance or perish in a galaxy collision.” Mia’s words echoed in Jasper’s ears. She was right, Beck was right—partially. He pushed his hair back and spoke.
“We’ll discuss the issue further with all of us present.”
The rest of the evening was spent filling both Mia and Sam in the Jasper way, by grabbing their temples and showing them what he’d witnessed, getting to know the optans, and Jasper reporting back to the Council, awaiting new orders.
He later went downstairs to his apartment, caught in his thoughts, enjoying the silence of his private space, unbuttoning his waistcoat, and taking his boots off. Both humans and optans enjoyed clearing their heads in the shower, and that’s what he yearned for as he stepped on the cold beige marble of his bathroom and into the state-of-the-art (on Earth) shower which so contrasted with the rest of the house. This was his favorite place. Eleven billion years of evolution had brought optan bathrooms to a fabulous level of comfort. The moment an optan set foot in a bathroom, everything acclimatized to suit their body preferences and anticipate their needs. Only analyzing the sole of one’s foot was enough to adjust water and floor temperature, splash, music, water properties, and so on. What they called an “intelligent home” on Earth would be the equivalent of a cave on Opt, yet he didn’t mind waiting for the water to reach the right temperature, nor did he miss the derma repair properties of optan water. If he was hurt, he could heal himself. Humans were to adjust to their environment and not the other way around, like on Opt. Not perfect was what they were used to, so when a perfect something came along it held a different value.
The water fell hard on his porcelain skin. He propped his hands onto the marble wall and tilted his head back to allow water to run on his face, pressing hard on his eyelids and forehead. Somehow, it was just what he needed and he just stood there, engulfed in steam, his statuesque figure taut and well-propped under the heavy drops as he reached for his shower gel.
Optan showers included shower gel—on Earth, however, you still had to do the work.
He stepped out, dripping and regaining his smell of softener and rain as he wrapped a towel around his sculpted hips. His wet hair stuck to his neck and jawline, big drops of water leaking across his chest only to find their end as they hit the white towel.
Relating to humans was not as easy as he’d imagined. You couldn’t talk sense into them, emotions took over their common sense, and there was no apparent difference between hybrids Rufus and Zoey and human Emma. They developed skills, yet not the ability to rationalize or prioritize things differently like optans did.
Rufus wanted to save Mia whatever it took, with no sense of self-preservation in between. Zoey would have risked everything for her friend. There was no clear line where their humanity met genome editing, no apparent behavioral changes, nothing that would redeem them closer to his own people.
His orders had been clear, he had to study them, their powers, their emotional and rational compasses. Having Sam and Emma was actually a gift for the comparison chart.
He thought of Rufus, and that tore away at him. Rufus was nothing but good, he was pure and selfless in all his deeds, and Mia had seen it all within his memories.
The Council saw what happened today as a victory; they obviously underestimated Beck and, despite Jasper’s pleas, they wouldn’t send more soldiers, just tech.
He thought of indomitable Emma, who launched herself at the unknown and managed to rescue beings billions of years more evolved with a kick in Beck’s privates. Humans acted quick, rationalized less, were quicker to take action because no time was wasted on dwelling on consequences.
How easy it is here to be brave without weapons. He envisioned Zoey’s face. He’d seen her splash a full smile for the first time
today at the sight of Sam, he’d seen her smiling with every freckle on that tiny nose of hers and it gave him some sort of peace.
The night was not over, so he got dressed and grabbed pajamas for the rest.
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”
Charles Dickens
“I’m starving!” Sam announced from the couch. Lilou had joined the girls and was hovering over like a butterfly, asking them questions about relationships and how humans proposed, religious rituals and beliefs, closets, shoes, makeup. Sam was asking questions of her own, curious about optans, perplexed with the findings, and still processing everything.
“Lilou, give them a break, they had a long day.” Jasper made his way in holding what looked like a stack of laundry and a backpack. “I see Gerard and Aline are not back…” he acknowledged in a quick scan.
“Alex removed Mia’s tracker so Gerard took it to the lab, and Aline is still retrieving clothes and things for Sam and Emma,” Lilou reported.
“I’m glad to see everyone’s showered and changed. Where’s Mia?”
“In the guest bedroom, she needed some time alone,” Emma replied.
“We’re leaving in fifteen minutes. Grab your important things. I still need to remove Zoey’s tracker and she needs to pack her bags quickly. Aline will portal to our next location.” He opened his backpack to retrieve a kalenium box that looked like a medical kit. “To your chambers!” He waved a hand toward Zoey as if saying, “after you.”
She got up from the comfort of her couch. “And when were you going to tell us this?” Zoey demanded. “Where are we going? Do we need to bring anything?”
“No, just your clothes and, um…lady items.” He said it quickly, shrugging his shoulders, but apparently not quickly enough to avoid being scrutinized by four women—optan, hybrid and human alike.
“Aliens, am I right?” Sam elbowed Lilou, rolling her eyes. “Speaking of, do you guys still have the period on Opt?”
“Not since six billion years ago. I heard women bled out for five days a month. I still wonder what that feels like, it has to be so gross!” Lilou voiced her thoughts freely, making Emma crack a laugh.
Sam couldn’t agree more. “I hear you, sister. I’d have mine removed yesterday if I could!”
“Genetic engineering, you’ll get there! Well, probably not you you!” Lilou splashed a smile to make it better as Jasper left in a quick pace toward Zoey’s bedroom. She followed behind, slightly annoyed that he took her from Sam and Emma, and shut the door behind, only to find him going through what really proved to be a medical kit.
“Hey.” she mumbled, not quite letting go of the door handle.
“This will take no longer than a few seconds, you won’t feel any pain, and I’ll heal you in less than minute.” He sounded serious as he adjusted his fingers in the surgical glove. She was wearing the same pajama top as the previous night and green shorts. He was skillfully wearing a poker face.
“You felt the tracker when you hugged me, didn’t you?”
“I did,” he admitted. “Lay on the bed, arms to your sides, and try not move much.”
She did as instructed, feeling her noodle straps being gently pulled down to reveal a half-bare back. Jasper placed his finger directly on the tracker. She felt the faintest nudge and then nothing.
“Can I talk?” she asked, trying to stay still.
“If you stay put,” Jasper warned as she felt his hands working on her back.
“Are you angry at me? Upset?” Zoey felt her heart shrink.
“No,” he said casually.
‘No’ was not revealing enough. ‘No’ was not enough to make it true. He was now healing her—she felt the pulse and warmth spreading in waves over her back. It was calming enough to fall asleep.
“Done. I…um, when I said lady items it’s not because I saw your tampons the other day. Floating out of your purse, I mean. I…just wanted you to know that.”
She couldn’t bring herself to look at him, but he sounded flustered. Second time today he couldn’t say things quicker.
A rush of embarrassment flushed over Zoey so she briskly buried her face in the pillow.
“Get out!” a muffled scream threatened.
And so he did, quicker than the blink of an eye.
She pushed herself up, trying to search her back with curious fingers. He’d left no trace. She sighed and walked over to her walk-in closet to pull a duffel bag out and fill it to the brim with socks (of course), jeans, t-shirts, pajamas.
She packed for two, thinking of Mia, and made her way to the living room to see everyone standing up, waiting for her.
“All aboard?” Lilou winked and waved at Zoey to get closer.
Another freaking blue trepidation, she thought as she swiftly grabbed Sam’s hand and closed her eyes. It didn’t feel as bad this time around, at least she landed on her side and, most importantly, on a soft pale green rug.
“Are you ok?” She turned to Sam to find her hyperventilating.
“Isn’t it funny how you always see this in Sci-Fi movies and now it’s happening to you? Does it turn your stomach around too?” She searched for Emma, who was now barefoot for whatever reason.
“Every time!” she replied with a nod.
The room they had landed in was beyond huge. Enormous white arched windows, straight out of the Victorian era, were set in white walls with ornaments and mirrors the size of a small elephant. Across the room, neoclassical furniture pieces were elegantly spread. A quick glance out the window revealed lavish lawns, manicured hedges with hidden statues in between, and most likely a secret grotto carefully hidden in the complexity of the maze.
“It’s daytime here. Where are we?” Mia carefully inspected the premises.
“Not far from London. Keep in mind, it’s always June here, so you won’t see as much rain as you’d expect,” Lilou revealed. “This place exists in a time loop, it’s a singularity and therefore untraceable. This is why it’s always June, it has a twenty-two day cycle and then it starts again.”
“But how—nevermind, I just have to accept the pandemonium my life has turned into…” Sam dismissed her thoughts.
Alex grabbed his backpack and gear and placed them safely on one of the coffee tables. “This is technically one of our bases here on Earth! I’ve only been here once. Lilou, however, loves it here; she’s always eager to return with every occasion, so she made the arrangements!” The place looked pristine and way too sophisticated for Sam’s definition of a ‘base’.
“You’ll love it here. Come, let me show you to your rooms!” Lilou was a walking contradiction compared to the rest of the optans Emma’d met. She was bubbly, lively, terribly enthusiastic, and almost always in a good mood and ready to give a hand.
Everyone followed vivacious Lilou down a wide hallway to the left of the ballroom they’d portalled to. Intricate light fixtures hung on every wall. It felt like a travel back to Victorian times and Emma allowed herself the privilege of taking it all in, feeling the wood warm under her bare feet and a knot in her stomach with every step.
There were rooms left and right as they entered the corridor.
“Simple rules: boys to the right, girls to the left! Gerard and Aline get one of the suites upstairs since they’re a couple. In case you were wondering, ladies get the rooms to the left because we have views of the gardens and bigger bathrooms.”
“What? Optan men don’t like their big bathrooms?” Sam arched her eyebrows inquisitively.
“They don’t really care—at least, these ones don’t.” Lilou winked.
Sam gave her shoulder a light squeeze. “Well then, I guess we’re not such different species after all…”
“Mia, you’ll be in the first room, opposite Alex. It’s the most beautiful room of all and it’s the least we can do while we have you here as our guest. The first thing we’ll do tomorrow when we wake up is work on getting Rufus back. It’s a promise.” Lilou said, opening the door to a sumptuous bedr
oom. “You have a stocked-up mini fridge by the TV, new clothes, pajamas, and all necessary lady items in the drawers.” She rolled her eyes, bemused, and watched Mia go in and close her door behind. She was still unquestionably shaken from losing Rufus yet again, and Lilou knew that feeling too well. No Victorian luxury would compensate the loss she felt right now.
“This will be my room, opposite Jasper’s. Knock if you need anything!” And she continued strolling to the next. “This is you, Zoey.” she said as she opened the door to a lilac and gold bedroom. It was as extravagant as it was decadent—intimidating even.
“Thanks, Lilou. Oh wow! You even got me a kettle.” Zoey registered what could have perfectly been called her own private tea station on the cream credenza.
“That was all Jasper!” Lilou looked over her shoulder to see him nodding approvingly.
“Thanks, Jasper. Night.” Zoey walked in sheepishly. Why did she say ‘night’ when it was clearly daytime over here? She’d never seen anything like it—above her, an intricate groin vault ceiling split in a series of partial domes and arches to create an elevated overall feel.
Wow.
Nothing could have prepared her for the size of this bedroom, the color, the windows, the size of everything. One word—overwhelming—and it still failed to encompass the grandeur before her eyes. From the pale cream walls to the elegant light fixture where all the ceiling arches met above the foot of her bed—her king size monster bed with accents of gold and cream.
Turning to look around, she still had to pinch herself to believe it; it all looked plucked out of a fairy tale, the lavender bouquets on her night stand, the humongous cream closet by the bed, the feel of that embroidered satin duvet.
She threw her duffle bag to the floor and jumped on the bed, face down, only to fall into a deep sleep one and a half seconds later.
γ
She woke up to the sound of laughter coming from somewhere in the garden, then searched for her phone only to give up the idea as she came to her senses.
Lost in Amber Page 14
