seers , they see things based on past and current events, plus probability. But should one event be altered, so too is the future outcome.
What do you mean?
You found Penton outside Acadia. He chose to come with you and in the process has discovered a love and gift for weaponry. I suspect when Lanena made her prediction, she didn’t see Penton because he wasn’t in the picture yet. Besides, the person she foresaw had no experience or inclination toward weapon development. That’s why I believe Penton wasn’t the individual seen. Even through our telepathic conversation, I heard the pain in my father’s voice as he said my mother’s name.
But whoever it is, will be someone who’s important to me?
Yes.
A spark of hope ignited in my core and I took Raeth’s hand. “ I just spoke with my father. Penton will be okay.”
The anger faded from her gaze and s he forced a grin. “I know. He’s Penton. But I don’t like taking any ch-chances. He’s perfect. Look.” She showed off her leg once more. “He made th-this for me. No one even looks at my implanted leg anymore. It’s flesh t-tone, shimmery, and pretty, not bulky and metal. I hated th-that leg. I would’ve torn it off years ago if I had any other choice.”
“You never complained,” I whispered as the acid of my guilt inched up my throat. “I didn’t know you hated it that much.”
“ One doesn’t whine or c-complain when you have Ryder Arteres as your brother. He took c-care of me and raised me to be tough. I owe him a lot.”
I squeezed her hand in reassurance. “We all do , and now you have Penton.”
Around us, the floor and walls shook for several seconds, rattling the cabinets and shelves, then settled.
Raeth’s brows narrowed, creating furrows between them. Her teeth bit into her lower lip. “He’s okay. He has t-to be.”
I took her hand and walked to the controls , only to have the captain block me. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“I’m going to retrieve my friend. The fire’s out. I know because the air was super-heating and it isn’t now.”
He didn’t budge.
Father? A little help here or I’m going to melt that darn control panel.
The captain straightened and lifted his chin. “Open the door.”
“But, sir—”
“I said open it.”
By the way, I like when you call me Father. Just don’t do it around the men.
No problem. Thanks… Father.
The blaster door slid open , taking my determined leadership mood with it. Making a decision was one thing, facing the consequences was another.
I f Penton was dead, I wasn’t sure which would haunt me more—the loss of a friend or my best friend growing to hate me as she grieved. Worse, I knew if it had been Ryder, my choice would have been different. Yes, I would’ve used the excuse that Ryder was a third of the Triune, but in my heart I knew my love for him would have been the true reason.
Before the war, was Mother ever wrong in her predictions?”
Silence.
Was she?
No. But as I said, the person who dies won’t be in the Triune or affect it.
Is it you?
Not that I’m aware.
If it were, would Mother have told you?
Yes .
A mist cloud drifted into the hallway. “Captain, masks.” After all Penton had gone through not to expose us, it would be supremely foolish to take chances now.
The captain disappeared behind the far wall of shelves and returned with biohazard masks—one for each of us. Once we’d snugged them over our faces, I clasped Raeth’s hand and squeezed. “You want me to go first?
She shook her head. “N-no. I need t-to be with him.” She released my hand and strutted to the blast door. She leaned into the hall, checking it out. “Th-the fire’s out. Th-that means it worked.”
Grasping the back of her vest, I prayed the hope in her voice defeated our worst fears as we shuffled blindly down the smoke-filled hall. Then she started jogging. As frightened as we were of what we’d find, Raeth’s joy at being able to run without the
What do you mean?
You found Penton outside Acadia. He chose to come with you and in the process has discovered a love and gift for weaponry. I suspect when Lanena made her prediction, she didn’t see Penton because he wasn’t in the picture yet. Besides, the person she foresaw had no experience or inclination toward weapon development. That’s why I believe Penton wasn’t the individual seen. Even through our telepathic conversation, I heard the pain in my father’s voice as he said my mother’s name.
But whoever it is, will be someone who’s important to me?
Yes.
A spark of hope ignited in my core and I took Raeth’s hand. “ I just spoke with my father. Penton will be okay.”
The anger faded from her gaze and s he forced a grin. “I know. He’s Penton. But I don’t like taking any ch-chances. He’s perfect. Look.” She showed off her leg once more. “He made th-this for me. No one even looks at my implanted leg anymore. It’s flesh t-tone, shimmery, and pretty, not bulky and metal. I hated th-that leg. I would’ve torn it off years ago if I had any other choice.”
“You never complained,” I whispered as the acid of my guilt inched up my throat. “I didn’t know you hated it that much.”
“ One doesn’t whine or c-complain when you have Ryder Arteres as your brother. He took c-care of me and raised me to be tough. I owe him a lot.”
I squeezed her hand in reassurance. “We all do , and now you have Penton.”
Around us, the floor and walls shook for several seconds, rattling the cabinets and shelves, then settled.
Raeth’s brows narrowed, creating furrows between them. Her teeth bit into her lower lip. “He’s okay. He has t-to be.”
I took her hand and walked to the controls , only to have the captain block me. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“I’m going to retrieve my friend. The fire’s out. I know because the air was super-heating and it isn’t now.”
He didn’t budge.
Father? A little help here or I’m going to melt that darn control panel.
The captain straightened and lifted his chin. “Open the door.”
“But, sir—”
“I said open it.”
By the way, I like when you call me Father. Just don’t do it around the men.
No problem. Thanks… Father.
The blaster door slid open , taking my determined leadership mood with it. Making a decision was one thing, facing the consequences was another.
I f Penton was dead, I wasn’t sure which would haunt me more—the loss of a friend or my best friend growing to hate me as she grieved. Worse, I knew if it had been Ryder, my choice would have been different. Yes, I would’ve used the excuse that Ryder was a third of the Triune, but in my heart I knew my love for him would have been the true reason.
Before the war, was Mother ever wrong in her predictions?”
Silence.
Was she?
No. But as I said, the person who dies won’t be in the Triune or affect it.
Is it you?
Not that I’m aware.
If it were, would Mother have told you?
Yes .
A mist cloud drifted into the hallway. “Captain, masks.” After all Penton had gone through not to expose us, it would be supremely foolish to take chances now.
The captain disappeared behind the far wall of shelves and returned with biohazard masks—one for each of us. Once we’d snugged them over our faces, I clasped Raeth’s hand and squeezed. “You want me to go first?
She shook her head. “N-no. I need t-to be with him.” She released my hand and strutted to the blast door. She leaned into the hall, checking it out. “Th-the fire’s out. Th-that means it worked.”
Grasping the back of her vest, I prayed the hope in her voice defeated our worst fears as we shuffled blindly down the smoke-filled hall. Then she started jogging. As frightened as we were of what we’d find, Raeth’s joy at being able to run without the
Similar Books
