The Gravity Keeper by Michael Reisman Page B

in disbelief. I mean, it was still attached to my head, but my mouth fell open. Nobody, in the many, many centuries since the Knowledge Union first formed, had ever made a formula into a tattoo. Yet she had just enacted a Chemistry command from one. She had several more on both arms, and as each tattoo’s color indicated, they were from several different Orders. I saw more yellow for Chemistry, as well as blue for Physics, green for Biology, and even silver for Astronomy.
    The woman leaned forward and smiled at Simon, Alysha, and Owen huddling behind the bare bushes. “And who have we here?”
    Mermon sputtered. “Outsiders? How? Dunkerhook Woods has safeguards!”
    The no-longer-hooded woman glanced at Mermon. “I found a way around some of the Union’s rules; why couldn’t others? Though I am surprised that children managed it.”
    She glanced at the kids and frowned. “Mermon, find out what they’re doing here,” she said in a bored tone.
    Mermon bent forward, lowering his beady eyes toward them. “You punks!” His growling voice became a low roar, and the kids cowered. “What are you doing here? Tell me before I tear you apart!”
    The woman sighed. “Veenie, behave. They’re not in boot camp. Step aside.” She frowned and snapped her fingers. “Hi, kids. So, explanation. Why are you here?” Her voice was gentler than Mermon’s, but her tone was firm.
    Alysha stood up from her crouched position and, I noticed, clenched her knees together to stop them from shaking. “Why are we here? Just who do you two think you are? We came in here to have some privacy, thank you very much. Why don’t you and Señor Growl Face get lost before we tell the police that two strangers came after us in the woods!”
    The woman chuckled. “I doubt anyone would understand what you meant if you mentioned these woods.” She gestured around her. “You shouldn’t even know they’re here.” She paused. “You are right about one thing—there’s no need to be strangers. Why don’t your friends join the conversation?”
    Simon tugged at Owen’s sleeve, and they both stood up next to Alysha; the Book was safely hidden in Simon’s backpack.
    â€œâ€™Bout time; ever hear of chivalry?” Alysha muttered.
    The woman tossed back her beautiful hair and smiled, but it was a cold smile; she looked as friendly as a crocodile before it took a nibble. “Now, as I was saying, let’s be friends. My name is Sirabetta, but you can call me Sir if you want. All my friends do; I insist upon it. My associate, Mermon Veenie, and I are looking for a big blue book. It would bore you with all its dull science information, but it’s very important to us. Have you seen it?”
    â€œLook, See-ruh-whatever,” Alysha said, “I don’t know what you know about kids, but on weekends, we try to get away from books and school. I mean, reading on a Saturday? Please!”
    Simon and Owen glanced at Alysha, impressed by her display of attitude.
    Sirabetta frowned; she didn’t seem as impressed. “Our Book. You. Seen it?”
    Alysha rolled her eyes while Simon and Owen just shook their heads. “If you’re not going to leave, we will,” she said. “We have better things to do, right, boys?” Without waiting for an answer, Alysha put a hand on each boy’s shoulder and turned them away.
    â€œGood,” Mermon growled, loud enough for the kids to hear. “Let’s get them out of here so we can keep searching.”
    â€œFool,” Sirabetta hissed. “Did you ever think that they might be lying?”
    â€œSir…why would children want it?” Mermon asked. “It looks like a schoolbook, and they wouldn’t be able to even open it.”
    â€œWhy?” Sirabetta shouted. “Who knows? But that one has a backpack which is the perfect size to hold