LABYRINTH II
Seven O'Nine
****
Liam had fallen asleep again, as Da'an spoke softly to him of plans to
the renovation of the
stables. Exhaustion had begin to seep into the lines of his face, half-buried
in an embroidered
pillow.
Da'an felt a smile touch his face as he sat opposite Liam, watching rays
of light creep across
the polished floor as the sun rose higher in the sky, turning the brown
wood into gold.
Liam shivered and buried his face deeper into the cushion as the light
struck his face. As his
protector stirred and murmured something under his breath, Da'an slowly
rose from his seat,
feeling himself tremble slightly with the aftermath of his seizure the
night before.
He moved silently about the room, his pale blue eyes slowly looking over
the embossed, faded
volumes on the narrow shelves.
Yeats, Keats, Shelley, Shakespeare—all carefully stacked together without
any obvious order
in mind. Da'an touched the backs, stroking them like a row of obedient
pets. The leather felt
warm and smooth under his fingertips, as if the words inside were alive
and calling out to be
read, to be felt.
Da'an carefully drew the book of Yeats's poetry from the shelf, carefully
parting the thin
pages. He found it painful to read such things on the printed page for
too long a time, but he
wished to see some of the long-dead human's works.
The book slipped open to a preset place—a dried grass stem had been set
between the pages
to mark it. Da'an pulled the book closer to his face, carefully reading
the faded words...
Beloved, gaze in thine own heart,
The holy tree is growing there;
From joy the holy branches start,
And all the trembling flowers they bear.
The changing colours of its fruit
Have dowered the stars with metry light;
The surety of its hidden root
Has planted quiet in the night;
The shaking of its leafy head
Has given the waves their melody,
And made my lips and music wed,
Murmuring a wizard song for thee.
There the Joves a circle go,
The flaming circle of our days,
Gyring, spiring to and fro
In those great ignorant leafy ways;
Remembering all that shaken hair
And how the winged sandals dart,
Thine eyes grow full of tender care
Beloved, gaze in thine own heart...
Da'an felt his face soften as he allowed the cover to fall shut with a
thud, sending a tiny whiff
of dust from the old pages. He carefully slid the book back between A
Midsummer Night's
Dream and Leaves of Grass.
He slowly turned and began walking across the room, his slender fingers
weaving themselves
together. He had little knowledge of what Yeats had been attempting to
convey, but he felt
himself soothed by the rhythm of the otherworldly verse. Human language
could be so stark...
Da'an started as the silence was shattered by a far-off alarm sounding,
from deep underneath
the floor. His fingers fluttered slightly as a human voice roared something
incomprehensible,
and he felt the structure shiver under him at the sound of heavy boots
against stone...
He sighed ruefully as he slowly made his way to the white couch, shining
brightly in the
sunlight. He had almost forgotten that there were others in the mansion—but
the day had
begun now.
He smiled softly as he looked at Liam's face, bowed close over his clenched
fists as he
unconsciously shielded his closed eyes from the blazing sunlight. Da'an
carefully slipped a
hand under his protector's, feeling the tight fingers relax and stretch
against his.
He smiled, spreading his hand and gently caressing Liam's calloused fingers.
At the touch,
Liam's boyish face tensed, and his eyes slowly opened. For a moment, he
looked up at Da'an's
face with wide green eyes...
Then Liam groaned and pressed a hand to his face. "I feel like I've been
asleep for ten
minutes, tops," he whispered.
Da'an sighed and touched his hand to Liam's arm as the young man sat up
stiffly, still holding
the embroidered cushion against his chest. He allowed his chin to sink
into the corner of it. "I
can't believe Sandoval got to you," he said softly.
Da'an's gaze flickered as he whispered, "I will restrict my duties to those
which involve the
constant presence of another. I... may also ask another Taelon to share
my chamber, until
Agent Sandoval ceases approaching me..."
Liam nodded and fixed his eyes on the sunlight through the rippled glass,
as if through a
prism. Then a soft smile crossed his features. "Da'an, I... Ms. Palmer
will be coming later. But
once she's done... there's a place in the woods that I want to show you."
The smile widened
into a sly grin. "Only fair, after what you showed me."
Da'an smiled and fixed his eyes on Liam's wide green ones. He was startled
to see that they
were not pure green, but had tiny flecks of gold and pale blue... "I will
look forward to it...
Liam."
Liam sighed, his manner shifting to gentle concern. "Be careful until then," he urged.
Da'an rose from the sofa and began to slip past an old harpsichord. As
he passed through the
wide doorway, he could feel Liam's gaze follow him.
****
"I am impressed," Zo'or said softly. His fingertips poked at the faintly
blackened wood and
shingles. On the side of the old building, the burn marks looked even uglier
to Da'an's eyes, a
harsh reminder of the last night's chaos.
"By what are you impressed?" the elder diplomat asked quietly.
Zo'or's hand struck sharply at the wooden trim. It snapped in a flurry
of black ash and fell to
his feet. A nearby Volunter winced at the loud crack. "I am impressed,"
he said in a low voice,
"by my protector's constant, elaborate security measure that never cease
to fail!"
He watched Da'an with narrowed eyes, evidently believing that Da'an would
in some way
speak in Sandoval's behalf. But Da'an kept silent.
He slowly looked over the daylit field, still damp and marshy in spots
from the rainfall of the
past day. But the sky was pale blue and wisped over by thin clouds that
would produce no
rain. Many Volunteers had abandoned pieces of clothing under the hot sun.
The grass whipped across his legs as he moved into the shade of an enormous
oak tree,
towering but slowly dying as its thick trunk cracked deeply to its heart.
It still had leaves and
acorns, but so many of its branches were lifeless and empty.
Liam was crouched near the trunk, his dark shirt unbuttoned at the neck.
He smiled as Da'an
came closer, wiping some of the sweat from his face. "Haven't seen Sandoval
all day," he said
softly. "I tried to ask Zo'or where he was, but almost got bitten."
Da'an smiled gently. "Zo'or has, as I predicted, required a certain amount
of... settling. I have
attempted to soothe him, but he is angered by what he sees as impudence..."
Liam grinned, then glanced toward the winding driveway that wove past the
old mansion. A
soft rumbling could be heard. "Sounds like Renee Palmer now," he said quietly,
rising to his
feet and quickly walking toward the house.
After a moment of hesitation, Da'an followed him...
****
Da'an slowly seated himself on a narrow wooden bench in the pagoda, twining
his fingers on
the vines that curled from low tree branches. He slowly raised his eyes
to the enormous birch
that shaded the bench.
It was dead. No leaves or seeds were on its branches, but hundreds of smaller
plants had
taken root in the decaying trunk and leaves. Da'an smiled softly as the
chirping of birds
reached him.
He watched as Liam waved Ms. Palmer to the back of the house, and started
toward the
pagoda at a fast rate. As he stepped inside, he glanced from side to side,
as if he expected to
see something lurking.
"He is not here," Da'an said mildly. He gestured at the seat beside him,
and Liam dropped into
it heavily, making the bench creak.
After a short silence, Da'an asked softly, "Who does Ms. Palmer seek?"
Liam rubbed the back of his neck, wincing at faint pains in it. "Zo'or.
Apparently some
co-ventures technology is going to be utilized here, and she needs some
specifications." A sly
grin crept across his face as he whispered, "I wonder if she can handle
Zo'or right now."
Da'an's blue eyes narrowed slightly as he smiled. "Perhaps a warning was
in order," he
murmured, carefully picking a dandelion from the side of the old pagoda.
Liam laughed, his eyes showing more warmth than Da'an had detected in him
for a long while.
The Taelon felt himself relax slightly, the weight of the past few days
temporarily lifted. But
who could tell when it would fall again...
****
For soldiers by the name of "Volunteers," Liam thought grimly as
he looked over the faces
before him on the back lawn, they certainly don't volunteer for much.
"I repeat," he said loudly, fixing them with what he desperately hoped
was a steely eye,
"Volunteers are needed to help me transport large amounts of food supplies.
So unless you all
want to starve, I suggest that some of you get up and live up to your titles!"
He clasped his hands behind his back, sensing the amusement of the Taelons
a few feet
behind him. Seated on a relatively modern pine deck, Da'an, Zo'or, Ta'ir,
and a Taelon named
La'rin were watching him attempt to rally the Volunteers, and apparently
enjoying it.
Liam sighed and rubbed his forehead, staring at the Volunteers. Some looked
sulky, some
tired, some just looked uninspired. "All right, since no one steps forward...
anyone whose
name starts with the letter S is coming."
He turned amid the rustle of fabric against fresh grass, and quickly slipped
over the wooden
railing to where the Taelons were seated on old deck chairs. Da'an and
Ta'ir were talking
softly, but Zo'or was speaking to the soft-eyed La'rin with unusual fervor,
his long hands
stretched out as if he held something to La'rin. The other Taelon was watching
and
occasionally speaking quietly.
Da'an looked up and smiled as his protector slid atop a nearby table. "You
will be leaving
soon, Liam?"
"As soon as I've kicked the selected Volunteers into shape," Liam said,
smiling widely. Zo'or
glanced at him with mild irritation at being interrupted.
Da'an glanced down at the patterns on the arms of his chair, slowly tracing
them with a finger.
"If I may, I wish to come with you," he said quietly, glancing at the architect
opposite him. "If
Ta'ir does not mind the end of our conversation..."
"I do not mind," Ta'ir said mildly, setting a global on the coffee table
and leaning back in his
seat. "We may converse again in the circle, Da'an. For the time being,
go with your
protector..."
Da'an slowly rose as Liam slid off the plastic table, and followed Liam
to where four glowing
shuttles were parked amid the younger trees.
****
It was a sight that might almost be amusing, Da'an thought.
He smiled slightly, clasping his hands in his lap as he looked out on the
town. The shuttle had
been parked near a mossy graveyard, looking out on the Main Street. Rows
of narrow
townhouses lined the streets, many of them redecorated and repainted, but
still showing their
age gracefully.
Several of the local townspeople had stared as they passed by, seeing an
alien shuttle and a
seated Taelon in their graveyard. But none had commented, though Da'an
had seen a few of
them wave in greeting.
He slowly walked through the overgrown cemetary, his eyes slowly flitting
from one narrow
gray stone to another. Some were beginning to decompose, the names carved
deep into them
almost worn away by weather and time. Others were newer, still shining
brightly in the
sunlight.
Da'an smiled slightly as he looked to the more elaborate of the gravesites,
an enormous
Christian crucifixian scene. It was nearly life-size, three stone figures
carved closely together
with a pair of rough obelisks on either side. He began to walk slowly toward
it, then stopped as
the sound of approaching footsteps reached him.
He smiled slightly as Liam's panting breaths reached him, and glanced back
at where his
protector was holding a heavy cardboard box across his back. He led it
fall with a loud thud
beside the shuttle as Da'an walked toward him. "Only six more after this,"
Liam said faintly,
slumping against the shuttle.
He sighed and closed his eyes, then looked back to Da'an. The Taelon was
toying with a long
grass stem, leaning on a granite gravestone. "Been looking over the cemetary?"
he asked
quietly.
Da'an smiled softly and glanced back at the largest grave marker. "Yes."
He frowned, and
stroked the stone beside him with his fingertips. "I find it curious, however...
that your species,
once someone has died, not only mourns but also erects a memorial to the
departed one..."
Liam frowned and bit his lip, slowly walking toward Da'an. He caught the
end of the grass stem
and broke it off. "Well... it could go either way. Either it's a reaction
to the shortness of our
time in life, by trying to create something that signals we were here...
or it's just a gesture of
love from one close to the dead person, to show what they do to honor them."
Da'an was silent, looking down at the weedy grass, and then to the faint
brown-green swell
where a deceased human's body lay under the soil. "You have thought on
this before?" he
asked softly.
Liam swallowed and nodded, his green eyes distant. "Yeah. When my... when
someone I loved
a great deal died."
Da'an allowed silence to fall in respect. A cool breeze was drifting over
the graveyard, ruffling
Liam's short hair as he stared off at the blue skies. The Taelon watched
him for a moment, his
blue eyes widening slightly as he softly said, "Liam..."
The young man seemed to snap out of a trance. "Sorry," he murmured, looking
at the
battered cardboard box beside the shuttle. "Six more to drag back, and
then find out what's
taking the Volunteers so long..."
"Liam," Da'an repeated quietly.
Liam's face and eyes were mildly distracted-looking as he turned back to
Da'an. The twitching
hands at his sides betrayed his eagerness to go back to his work... "Yes,
Da'an?" he asked.
Da'an took a step toward him and slowly extended one slim hand toward Liam,
as if he
expected something to be placed on the palm of it. For a moment, Liam stared
at the Taelon's
soft smile and outstretched hand, then slowly slid his fingers over Da'an's.
Da'an's bright eyes
closed as he blushed...
A soft glow wound its way from Da'an's blue-threaded fingers into Liam's
hand, bringing a soft
tingling across the young man's skin. Da'an felt Liam's confusion at this
sudden gesture and
the soft flow of energy. He smiled in anticipation, wending into the outermost
reaches of Liam's
complex mind...
I am drawn to you, Liam Kincaid...
He allowed the mild feelings that had begun to grow recently to be revealed
to the young man.
He felt Liam's surprise at this revelation—evidently he had not considered
that Da'an's
affections might...
I had not known that you still had any affection for me...
Liam's hand slowly slid from Da'an's, falling to his side. Da'an's facade
flickered and flashed
back in full, and he watched Liam rather nervously for any reaction. The
young man's brow
was wrinkled as he seemed to be thinking deeply.
Then he smiled shyly, as if he were both pleased and embarrassed. "Can
we postpone any
talks until we get back to the house?" he asked softly, leaning slightly
closer. "I have six more
boxes of flour to haul back first..."
Da'an slowly brushed his fingers across his chest, feeling mild relief
at his protector's
response. "Very well. When you return, please tell me of the Volunteers'
progress."
Liam nodded sharply. "Will do."
He turned and strode past a small brick winery/antique shop, veering briefly
onto a set of
ancient-looking railroad tracks. Da'an smiled slightly as he watched Liam,
slowly seating
himself before the tombstone.
****
The sun was high in the sky, shining brightly through the thin clouds over
the graveyard.
Da'an was beginning to feel slightly warm, though the marble of the tombstone
that he leaned
on was still cool.
Liam, his face still flushed with his exertion, was standing beside the
shuttle and pointing at the
back. Five of the Volunteers he had brought were loading crates and sacks
into the rear of it,
but he had apparently abandoned the boxes that he had been bringing.
Da'an's attention wandered from the humans for the moment. He slowly walked
along the
edge of the graveyard, where smaller stones were tilting and crumbling
at the edges. Weeds
choked them, almost hiding the faded names on the dark marble surfaces.
He slowly sank to his knees in the half-dead grasses, sliding his hands
to the side of one of the
smaller stones. A child's grave, short and narrow, the name worn off the
tombstone. A faint
blue blush ran under Da'an's skin as he slowly caressed the smooth front
of it, saddened that
he would not be able to tell what the child's name had been...
For a long while, he simply watched the sunlit gravestone, as if it might
reveal something to
him if he waited long enough...
A cold breeze swept the graveyard, and Da'an blinked as he broke from his
trance. He slowly
rose from the ground, looking around at the slender trees swaying around
him. He sighed...
So all things pass away. And if my species dies, will the Commonality cease
to be as well,
plunging the essence of those who have passed on into darkness? So our
names would be
slowly erased by time and distance, until none remember us... He lowered
his head slightly,
watching his hands waver slightly in the cooling wind.
There was the rustle of fabric against grass, and a soft voice spoke from behind him. "Da'an?"
Liam's voice. Da'an slowly turned to face his protector, forcing his hands
to remain still, to hide
what he felt. Only his eyes could betray his despair under Liam's gaze...
"Are you preparing to
leave, Major?" he asked softly, keeping his face downturned toward the
grass.
Liam nodded, raising a hand to gingerly massage his neck. "We'll be ready
to leave for the
estate in about a half-hour." His green eyes fell to the pale, straggling
violets blooming from
one new grave, that Da'an seemed to be fascinated by. "Are you all right?"
he asked softly.
Da'an's eyes fell half-shut, as if he were tired. "Yes... I was only thinking."
Liam's jaw tightened as he glanced back at the insectile shuttle, where
the Volunteers were
loading wooden crates. "About Sandoval?" he whispered, taking a step closer.
Da'an smiled slightly. "Oddly, I thought of everything butAgent Sandoval..."
he murmured,
feeling slightly warmer.
The young man crossed his arms and glared at the bustling Main Street,
as if he expected
Sandoval to wander into the nearby parking lot. "Don't worry," he said
quietly. Then a faint
smile flickered over his face. "Da'an... what you showed me, before...
you meant that, right?"
Da'an raised his pale eyes to Liam's, erasing all traces of his former
gloom from them. "I
rarely say what I do not mean," he said with a faint wave of his hand.
Liam's smile widened into a decided smirk, as if he were tempted to remark
on Da'an's
statement. Da'an allowed faint amusement to cross his pale features, as
his slender hand
stroked the tombstone beside him. Silence crept over the graveyard.
Sensing that no more would be said, the Taelon slowly turned and wandered
away from Liam,
his eyes fixed on the few struggling flowers that grew from the graves.
He carefully bent to
brush his fingertips along the edge of a pale-stemmed dandelion.
"Will you be staying here, then?" Liam's voice asked softly.
Da'an smiled. "I do not believe so." He straightened and began walking
toward the shuttle,
hearing Liam's quiet footsteps behind him. "I dwell too much on partings..."
****
Agent Ronald Sandoval was sitting stiffly on one of the deck chairs, his
dark eyes following the
Volunteers who walked by quickly, their arms laden with tubs of bioslurry
solution. They
moved, he noticed, far faster in his presence than Major Kincaid's.
He stroked his skrill absently, staring down at the patterns of the wooden
deck. Kincaid was no
fool, though. Six vials of the kryss were gone from his luggage, and though
he had searched
the grounds, he had found no sign of them.
He had pressed Da'an over and over to accept the kryss, until the Taelon's
fragile self-control
had buckled cleanly. He had watched in satisfaction as Da'an had held out
his hand, absorbed
the purple crystals into his palm as Sandoval had poured them. As the agent
had left Da'an's
chamber, the Taelon had been sitting bowed over, his bright eyes fixed
on the window.
He smiled slightly, closing his eyes in the cool wind. Control over Da'an
was a thing that could
be achieved anytime—it only needed the right moment, preferably when Kincaid
was away for
more than one evening.
He heard a loud roar and felt a sudden air flow, as a shuttle behind him
slowly settled to the
ground. The pulsing, insectile machine seemed to be teetering slightly
on the uneven ground
as if it were weighed down on one side.
A tall dark figure slipped down to the green grass, and Sandoval felt Liam
Kincaid's eyes lock
onto his dark ones, and burn in growing fury. The young man turned slowly
as Da'an stepped
down onto the ground, and protectively draped his arm around the Taelon's
shoulders.
Sandoval watched them as they left, and pulled a pair of sunglasses from
inside his jacket.
Time will tell...
****
"I'm going to strangle him," Liam rasped softly, his hands tightly clasping
Da'an's arms as he
led the Taelon to the bay window to the parlor. He could see a pair of
Taelons inside, seated
near the massive stone fireplace. "I'm going to strangle him..."
"No, Liam," Da'an said softly, his slender hand gripping Liam's elbow.
He kept his expression
neutral as Liam stared down at him, clearly confused. "Do nothing to Agent
Sandoval..."
Liam shook his head. "After what he did to you..."
Da'an narrowed his eyes slightly. "Do nothing!"
Liam swallowed hard, but nodded in response. "You don't want Zo'or to know,"
he said softly.
"I understand, I guess..."
Even if you do not approve... Da'an allowed the thought to seep into
Liam's mind, taking
advantage of the hands gripping him tightly. Liam stiffened slightly, loosening
his grip.
For a moment, the protector seemed to struggle for words, glancing down
to the flowerbeds
beside them. Da'an followed his gaze, watching him stare at the overgrown
white rose bushes,
heavy with the blooms from the previous day...
And amid them grew a yellow rosebud.
Da'an smiled softly as he felt Liam's cheek touch his temple, and a soft
pressure against his
forehead. Then Liam pulled back, a rueful smile crossing his face. "Sorry,
I forgot for a
moment," he said quietly.
Da'an frowned, considering carefully what the response to such a gesture
should be. Then he
slowly touched his fingers to Liam's cheek, gently moving them in circles.
Liam's eyes
widened...
Da'an smiled softly and withdrew his fingers. His protector seemed slightly
dazed, but only
touched his face as Da'an began to unlatch the wide bay window. The two
Taelons inside, Ta'ir
and La'rin, glanced up from the bioslurry samples they were carefully holding.
As Da'an clumsily climbed onto the cracked sill, he felt Liam's hands gripping
him from behind,
and giving him a gentle boost into the room. He slid awkwardly onto the
narrow window seat,
his fingers clutching at the edges of the windows.
Liam was smiling as he looked inside, resting his hand on the lock to the
window. "Have to go
talk to Ms. Palmer," he said quietly. "I'll see you when I get back."
Da'an inclined his head slightly. "Indeed. I believe... there are many things to discuss..."
Liam nodded once and shut the door with a loud clack. Da'an watched him
go through the
distorted glass, a tall black-clad figure moving fast away. For a moment,
he leaned against the
window, tracing his fingers over the cold surface and watching the yellow
leaves dancing in the
wind.
Then he rose to his feet and rejoined his fellow Taelons...
*****
She was sitting on the railing of the deck, her long legs drawn up a little
as she watched the
trees. Her blonde head and pale gray suit were shining in the sun, hurting
Liam's eyes.
He drummed his fingers in staccato rhythm on the plastic table, smiling
at her with wide,
innocent eyes. Renee glanced back at him and smiled, toying with the straw
in her margarita.
"So you've decided to grace me with your presence?" she murmured, slipping
off the deck
railing and walking idly over to him.
"Had something to work out with Da'an," Liam said quietly. He touched his
thumb to the white
plastic, blocking a small bug from its trek to the railing. The tiny brown
creature waved its
antennae, and began clambering across Liam's skin with tiny tickling feet.
Renee raised an eyebrow. "Been giving you grief about that whole incident with the kryss?"
"No... no, things are fine for the moment."
The bug was poised on Liam's knuckle, examining the skin as if it were
of great interest.
Renee bent low over his hand for a moment, watching him try to shake it
off, and carefully
dropped a small maraschino cherry beside it.
Liam grinned as the bug seemed to contemplate this new occurrance, its
fragile antennae
waving at the reddish blob, then took a flying leap onto the cherry.
Renee sat back and watched Liam shake his hand dry of the drops that had
spilled on it. "So
what do you need to work out with Da'an?"
"Nothing, nothing, nothing," Liam recited, his green eyes sparkling. "Nothing
at all that anyone
else would care about."
"I am interested," Renee said, smiling as Liam slid his long legs onto
the table and leaned back
in his chair, smiling up at the blue skies. Then a sly smile crossed her
lips. "I recognize the
look."
Liam looked up, frowning. "What look?" he asked, toying with his global.
It suddenly occurred
to him that he had no idea if Da'an still had the "panic global."
Renee's smirk softened slightly as she sipped the margarita. "Never mind—you'll
recognize the
look when you see it on someone else. I peaked in third grade."
She wiped a few drops of the drink from her pale pink lips, then set the
empty glass on the
table. "So, what do I do with the thousand supply crates arriving tomorrow?"
She carefully
tipped the glass onto its side with a soft clink, as she added quietly,
"And just exactly what has
been happening with Zo'or? He's snapping like a Great White."
"Vandals." Liam's face contorted slightly as he stifled a yawn. He pointed
to the side of the
house, where ash-streaked black burns stretched from the charred grass
to the rooftop. "They
set fire to the building, as a protest... from what I've heard, Zo'or was
steaming all night."
Renee grimaced, and flicked the cherry off the table. There was a faint
pinkish smear where it
had been. "So where do the supplies go?"
Liam grimaced and pressed his fingers to his throat. It felt as if his
throat was coated in sand.
"It's pretty horrible being the coordinator's protector?" he rasped.
Renee stared at him, her fingers drumming on the table. "Da'an's coordinating
the renovation?
Well, perhaps I should talk to him..."
She stopped, as Liam sat up sharply, making his wooden chair creak and
lean to the side. By
the marble pillars of the front porch, he could see a slender, rigidly-stepping
figure walking
toward the back of the mansion. Though the Taelon was cast over in faint
shadows, Liam could
clearly see the sapphire eyes and military sash.
"I gotta go," he murmured, sliding his chair back and sliding over the
wooden railing. As he
began walking across the color-filled flowerbed, Renee stood up and leaned
over the edge of
the deck.
"Liam?" she asked softly. "Look, what did you need to hash out with Da'an?"
Liam glanced at T'than, who now was standing by one of the powered-down
shuttles, his pale
features like a stony mask. "Life is a labyrinth, Renee..." he whispered
solemnly.
Then he turned and quickly walked to the shuttle, his shoes crunching softly
on the gravel of
the driveway as he went.
****
The parlor was dim with the soon-to-be-setting sun. Da'an slowly shut the
open book in his
lap, sensing Ra'im's presence near him in the circle of nearby Taelons.
I greet you, my friend.
Thank you.
Ta'ir has told me of your recent alteration in feelings toward the young
human, Kincaid. I
observed his display of affection not long ago...
Da'an allowed his growing irritation/amusement to show. Do no other
Taelons learning of
unique ties interest any of you?
The only other Taelons, Ta'ir replied softly, that would currently
consider such a relationship
are Zo'or and La'rin.
And Zo'or would not accept a joining, with La'rin or any other Taelon...
Intense satisfaction from Ra'im. Precisely. I believe that your position
as Zo'or's parent
clouds your judgement somewhat—allow me to theorize.
Please do so.
Were Zo'or a scientist or an artist, I think that he would have accepted
a joining with La'rin,
even if no offspring were produced. But as he is a diplomat, and subsequently
a leader, he
believes that a failed joining would be a sign of weakness that he cannot
afford before the
eyes of all the Commonality...
Da'an felt the two nearby turn their attention to Zo'or, who was now locked
into a close
exchange with La'rin. And so, La'rin must observe and love deeply from
a distance.
Saddening. If only... Ta'ir stopped short.
Da'an projected sudden amusement. "If 'ifs' and 'buts' were..."
You have spent far too long a time with humans, Da'an, Ta'ir replied
quietly, amused. And
so, if we may not observe La'rin and Zo'or, we must observe yourself and
your unique
relationship. I did observe his brief affectionate response before, but
now must ask—do you
intend to remain as you are now, or to expand this relationship to the
next step?
I am not certain if that is wise.
Is he unsuited? Unready?
I prefer to think that he simply requires time. He is far younger in mind
than in body. In
addition...
We do not have time, Da'an. Ra'im's reply was faintly reproving. It
would be well-advised if
you made any decisions immediately, especially if they may alter our plans
on Earth...
Da'an carefully withdrew from the circle, sensing Zo'or's increased presence
close to him. His
child would, despite his wanderings into human passion and faults, be seriously
disturbed by
any close relationship with Liam. That much he knew.
Da'an glanced down at the heavy volume in his lap, stroking the embossed
letters on the
smooth leather for a moment. He carefully slid it aside at the sound of
Liam's voice echoring in
the hallway...
****
Da'an slid open the parlor door, seeing Liam walking slowly down the dimly-lit
corridor.
Though his face was shadowed, his mocking smile could be seen clearly.
Da'an smiled slightly and stepped into the hallway, starting to close the
door behind himself.
But Liam slapped a hand on the polished surface, eyes sparkling. "The war
ship... sorry, I
mean war minister is here," he said quietly. "He's waiting to see
you in the foyer—should I
tell him you're not here?"
Da'an stifled a smile, briefly wondering what Zo'or would think of the
dry comment. He slipped
past Liam. "It is not necessary. If T'than felt it necessary to come to
Earth, then I am certain
he has a purpose in mind."
His protector paused for a moment, his hand still resting against the wooden
doorway. Then
Da'an heard soft footsteps in the thin carpet, just a little way behind
him, and felt a brief brush
of Liam's leather jacket against his hand.
T'than would undoubtedly wish for Liam to go, but if he said nothing about
the protector Da'an
would keep him near. Just so long as his humor remains private. I doubt
that T'than would
appreciate it.
Bright beams of light filtered through the high windows over the eastern
hall, bouncing off the
metal crates and boxes that were piled against the walls. The sun was setting
behind the
forest.
T'than was standing at the end of the hall, staring at a gold-framed painting
of two deer, with
his hands clasped behind his back. As the two drew closer, he slowly turned
his gaze to meet
Da'an's.
He waved a hand dismissively. "The human may go."
Liam's green eyes narrowed slightly, but he turned and quickly walked down
the hallway.
Da'an did not look back as the sound of footsteps on the wooden staircase
rang out, and the
distant sound of a door clicking shut.
T'than had moved slightly closer to the painting, slowly running his fingertips
over the faded
swirls of paint and varnish. Da'an smiled slightly as the war minister
examined it closely, then
took a step back and surveyed the entire portrait. "What passes for artwork,"
he said dryly.
T'than slowly turned and began walking down a short passage, a cool gleam
in his eye
advising Da'an to follow. The older Taelon followed T'than, deliberately
keeping his face and
eyes neutral. "May I inquire as to the nature of your presence here?" he
asked softly.
T'than's face twitched slightly, and his eyes fell to the red diamond patterns
of the rug. "I had
supposed that my reasoning was obvious." Anger began to creep into his
voice. "I have had
a... disagreement with Ra'al, on the moonbase."
Da'an smiled slightly, quickening his pace as he saw a peculiar pattern
of shadows on a
wooden wall. "And so, you escape disagreements with Ra'al... by coming
to the very place
where Zo'or is staying?" he asked quietly.
T'than's pale eyes flashed. "Speak as you think, Da'an. I have no time
for riddles," he said
sharply.
Da'an allowed the words to glide past him—he had been dealing with the
younger diplomats
for a long time. As they reached a wide, sliding glass door, T'than paused
and peered inside at
the conservatory, still maintained after all the years. Da'an slid his
hand onto the metal handle
and pulled the door open.
The flowers and bushes had grown into a jungle, covering the lower windows
of the glass
room. The sound of running water filled the room. Da'an frowned, glancing
across the leaves
and blooms to find it.
"If you must know," T'than said suddenly, strolling past a cluster of daisies,
"I am here to
supervise Zo'or's attempts to renovate this... structure." He glanced meaningfully
at the glass
ceiling. "As well as to supervise his interactions with the scientists
under his watch here."
Da'an sighed, cupping a lily in his hands and stroking the petals. "I see.
You seek something to
sway the Synod... but I find it doubtful that you will find what you seek."
T'than smiled dryly, twining his hands between the yellow chrysanthemums
in a nearby pot. "I
cannot find what I do not seek. You gloss over Zo'or's transgressions,
Da'an. I doubt that you
would find what I will."
Da'an's eyes flickered as he let go of the lily. "Perhaps." He stared absently
at his palms, then
back to T'than. "Do you wish to remain here for the remainder of the renovation?"
T'than's fingers snapped a flower off with a loud crack. "If I may."
Da'an sighed, wishing for the moment that T'than had chosen to stay away—for
Zo'or if
nothing else. "Very well," he said softly, moving along the path to the
door. "I will have Liam
install a temporary energy stream in one of the unoccupied chambers."
As he drifted into the darkness of the corridors, he felt T'than's gaze
follow him. As he moved
up the stairway, it occurred to him that the war minister had no idea to
whom he was
referring—he did not know the young man's first name. The amusing thought
remained with
him as he entered the wing containing personal rooms...
Liam, he thought with a faint smile as he moved toward his protector's
closed bedroom door.
Perhaps he will be amused by that...
****
Liam's thin curtains were drawn over the windows, but the room was still
full of the fading
sunlight. He had dropped onto the faded quilt on his bed, feeling faint
numbess creeping over
his limbs...
He rolled onto his back, staring at the plain white ceiling and slowly
inching out of his leather
jacket. The flower-spattered glass vase beside his bed, empty except for
a little dust,
reminded him of the golden rose in Da'an's room...
It was worth being half-dead all day... Da'an might have died last night,
and no one would
have known until morning... I should rip Sandoval apart for what he did.
Liam slowly turned onto his side, hugging the thin pillow close against
the side of his face. He
winced slightly as he thought of T'than's arrival—the last thing anyone
needed in the Gargoyle
Museum was the grating war minister...
Liam snuggled closer to the rough pillowcase, his eyes flickering open
to watch shadows slowly
creep down the wall. Twilight was beginning to fade the day into evening.
Soon the moon and
stars would be out, the Volunteers would bunk down for the night...
I just hope that Da'an feels up to stargazing...
There was a soft knock at the door, and the doorknob twisted slightly as
Liam sat up against
the wooden poster. He sighed, rubbing his forehead and forcing his half-sleeping
body off the
rumpled bedcovers. "Yes? Come in..." he called.
There was a loud click, and Da'an's pale face appeared in the doorway,
his blue eyes cautious.
The hand that didn't hold the outside doorknob was jerking in a rather
agitated manner.
"Liam?" he said quietly, taking a step inside.
Liam smiled wanly as he slumped back against the leaf-carved headboard.
"Everything okay?"
he asked softly.
Da'an turned and carefully slid the door shut, then glanced over to Liam
with a faint smile on
his lips. "T'than has chosen to remain here for the time being, in an effort
to supervise
Zo'or..."
Da'an slowly drifted toward the foot of Liam's bed, slowly brushing his
fingertips over the
wooden spiral poster. Liam's green eyes followed him as he continued, "He
will require a room
equipped with an energy stream. Will you please see to it when it is convenient?"
Liam nodded.
Da'an sighed, inwardly flinching at the idea of T'than's essence being
woven into the circle. He
only hoped that the war minister would cause relatively little turmoil
among his
fellows—Zo'or's presence caused the possibility that the powerful flow
of the circle could erupt
into a fiery labyrinth...
"Are you all right?" Liam's voice pierced Da'an's musings. The young man
was looking up at
him with wide eyes in a tired face.
"I was merely thinking," Da'an said quietly, sliding onto the quilt alongside
Liam. He stared
down at the hands, resting palm-up, in his lap.
There was the soft rustle of fabric against the old quilt. Liam's voice
was quiet as the Taelon
turned to look at him. "The fact that I'm drawn to you," he said quietly,
"isn't going to change
my views on humanity and the Taelons. You know that, right?"
Da'an smiled and tilted his head, blue eyes half-closed. "I do. And my
views will remain as
they are for the time being, as well..."
Liam sighed. "Stargazing, tonight?" he asked, stretching his arms above
his head and
grimacing. "Are you up to it?"
Da'an headed for the door. "I will expect you in the field at eleven,"
he said softly. "You may
keep me waiting for as long as you desire."
****
Clouds had covered the glowing orbs of the moon and stars for nearly an
hour, leaving Da'an
shrouded in absolute darkness. But cold winds had swept the clouds away,
leaving him looking
at a thousand pinpricks of light that flickered in and out in the darkness...
Da'an sighed, resting his slim hands against the hard soil. Nearly a half-hour
before Liam
would leave the mansion, still guarded against possible intruders. He closed
his eyes and
allowed himself to flow into the circle, enwrapped in the Commonality...
He sensed T'than, La'rin, and Ta'ir. All others were absent, undoubtedly
working longer into
the night. La'rin and Ta'ir were conversing softly, and T'than seemed to
simply be present.
Irritation from T'than... Where is Zo'or?
I do not know. You have not asked Agent Sandoval? Da'an replied truthfully.
A vision of
Sandoval pressuring him to accept kryss flashed before his mind. He quickly
destroyed it...
What was that?
Nothing, nothing. It was just... a disturbing memory.
I see. About Agent Sandoval?
Yes... please do not inquire further, T'than. I have the situation well in hand.
T'than seemed momentarily satisfied, but Da'an sensed that he was irritated
by something.
Zo'or? he whispered to Ta'ir, who seemed quite amused by it.
Ta'ir withdrew slightly from La'rin as Da'an addressed him. He is angered
by Zo'or's evasions
of him. You are meeting Major Kincaid?
Yes.
And what are your thoughts?
Da'an felt himself fall back slightly. Liam is not as we are, and yet
he is. His thoughts can be
similar to those of a Taelon, but I do not know if he is truly prepared
for what may be ahead
of him if...
If what?
If I offer to progress to the next step.
It would be necessary, Da'an. Surely, such a progression could not harm him.
Da'an withdrew for a moment, sorting through his own thoughts. Liam was
part-Kimera, and
thus he might be better suited... I will ask him tomorrow evening. He
appears to be enjoying
the affection that he feels now...
Very well. Ta'ir's amusement could be widely felt as Da'an slipped
back to consciousness,
swaying on his knees in the long grass, his face turned toward the moon.
He smiled softly as
he heard the rustle of footsteps on grass.
He glanced to the side as Liam dropped to the cold ground beside him, his
cheeks flushed with
the chill. "Two minutes after eleven," he said quietly. "I'm not late,
am I?"
Da'an smiled, holding out his hand. He glanced upward as their palms brushed....
The stars began to shine brilliantly, their crystalline song drowning out
the wind that rushed
the air across the sky. The moon began to climb to the center of the sky,
glowing steadily like
a younger sun...
The sharing began to weave slightly deeper, beyond the awe of the moment
to the quiet
events of the past day.
Fear. Pain. Anger. Sorrow.
Love. Affection. Quiet. Peace.
Da'an smiled slightly as Liam slowly withdrew from the sharing, his green
eyes almost blue in
the darkness. The young man's cold hand still clutched his tightly, as
if he were dizzy and
required something to steady himself.
Da'an touched Liam's cheek with two fingers, warming him with a careful
burst of residual
energy. "Liam..."
*********
"Has I the heavens' embroidered cloths,
Enwrought with golden and silver light,
The blue and the dim and the dark cloths
Of night and light and the half-light,
I would spread the cloths under your feet:
But I, being poor, have only my dreams;
I have spread my dreams under your feet;
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams..."
The almost absent murmur of Liam's voice filled the chilly air as Da'an
pushed at the heavy
front door. It slid open with a loud creak, and the two quickly stepped
inside, the door falling
back with a soft boom...
The main hall was lit by dozens of generators, casting a pale glow over
the room. A few
Volunteers were patrolling in the side corridors. One nodded briskly to
Da'an, then continued
walking toward the east wing.
Liam frowned, looking vaguely confused. "Why do I have Yeats running through
my head?" he
said softly, starting to pull off his leather jacket. He ran his fingers
over his upper arm, making
a peculiar sighing sound.
Da'an locked his fingers over Liam's free arm and tugged at the jacket,
still tightly wrapped
around his protector's torso. "It is a minor aftereffect of the sharing,"
he said quietly, as Liam
managed to unzip the jacket and pull the twisted garment off. He smiled
softly and added, "I
have undertaken a minor study of your poet, Yeats."
"Any particular reason?" Liam hung the jacket carelessly on a wooden rack hung on the wall.
"No..." Da'an allowed his hands to fall to his sides, walking slowly down
the bright hallway.
After the near-darkness of the night outside, it was somewhat disconcerting
to see the light
reflect off the high windows, the chandeliers.
The blue and the dim and the dark cloths/Of night and light and the half-light...
he thought.
How very appropriate it was for such evenings as these.
He began to quickly make his way toward the end of the hall, where only
a few generators lit
the side corridors. He felt slightly disturbed by the gargoyles on high
pedestals, their twisted
faces leering at all who passed under them.
As Da'an began to carefully walk up the wide stairway, he hesitated, hearing
no footsteps
behind him. Liam had remained on the landing a few steps below him, his
hand resting on the
banister.
"I'm going to the kitchens to find some cocoa. Then I'm collapsing into
bed," the protector
whispered. He smiled crookedly, moving up one step, to eye level with the
Taelon. "G'night,
Da'an."
Da'an bowed his head slightly, his eyes still locked to Liam's. "Good night,
Liam..." he said
softly.
He waited for Liam to walk down the stairs, to vanish into the shadows.
But the young man
stayed standing in front of Da'an, his eyes half-closed as if he were trying
to remember
something he wanted to say. Finally, he looked up and softly asked, "Da'an?"
"Yes?"
Liam smiled sheepishly, staring down at the banister below him for a moment.
"Tomorrow
night, again?" he whispered.
Da'an smiled, his bright eyes growing slightly darker as he replied, "Of
course... but I will wish
to speak with you beforehand, if I may." He slipped his hand over Liam's.
"It is quite
important."
Liam looked slightly confused, but nodded and slowly walked down the stairs,
and then into the
dark doorway of the kitchen. Da'an remained in the middle of the stairway
for a few more
minutes, his fingers rubbing against the polished railing.
Then he turned and continued up the stairs, linking his fingers together
as snatches of Liam's
thoughts, of songs and books and a peculiar epitaph that he had spotted
in the graveyard.
"To all who read this, back away from my grave." Da'an found himself
smiling as he recalled
the epitaph—evidently the one interred there had had a sense of humor.
Scribbled on a piece
of paper, in case Ms. Palmer might be amused by it...
He reached the hallway and went to his bedroom, opening the old door carefully
to avoid
waking any others. As he closed it, he carefully pushed the lock into place.
As he slid atop the bedcovers and waved on the energy stream, he glanced
to the rose that
Liam had given him that very morning. It had faded slightly, but still
was the bright gold of the
rising sun...
Da'an smiled, his eyes remaining on the rose as he drifted into rest.
****
Da'an remained on the fringes of the circle for a while, the ebb and flow
of the Taelons
surrounding him. They were nearly all present, flitting about through the
stream of joined
consciousness...
T'than, he thought. T'than was not present—or if he was, he was
carefully concealing himself,
possibly to avoid detection by Zo'or.
Da'an's child was currently engaged in a debate with Ra'im, La'rin, and
Ma'ral about the
usefulness of Earth's more hostile regions. Da'an remained silent, listening
to the flurry of
ideas...
Da'an? A new presence shifted closer...
I am present, Ta'ir.
You have not yet spoken with your protector?
We have "spoken" to one another...
Ta'ir was not deceived by the careful sidestep. You attempt to deflect
me with the words of a
diplomat. You know of what I speak, Da'an...
Da'an allowed his fatigue to seep into view. I will "speak" with Liam
tomorrow evening, as I
said before. For this moment...
Very well, Da'an. Amusement from Ta'ir.
Da'an flinched inwardly as he sensed several other Taelons redirecting
themselves toward the
discussion. There is no need to become defensive against myself... am
I your enemy, that
you greet me so?
I am sorry...
It is not necessary to be. Do not worry.
Da'an extended his gratitude to Ta'ir, feeling La'rin and Ma'ral draw closer,
curious about the
exchange...
Ma'ral's eagerness was clear. We greet you, Da'an... I am eager to know
more of the
growing closeness with your human protector.
There is little progression, Da'an protested feebly, an image of himself
holding his hands
defensively rippling through the circle. If there will be progression,
it will be TOMORROW.
We understand this, soothed La'rin, his quiet thought patterns overlaying
Da'an's increasingly
chaotic ones. I do not seek to ask more about what you yourself do not
know of.
I thank you.
Da'an allowed himself to be enveloped briefly in the quiet of La'rin's
mind, then drew back as
the younger Taelon said quietly to the four, But I do have a certain
revelation concerning
your protector...
What would that be? Da'an kept his thoughts quiet, despite the shock
of La'rin's innocent
words.
As you shared with Kincaid, I was close in proximity within the circle.
With the brush of your
own energy, I sensed that Kincaid's energy matrix is significantly more
intense than that of a
normal human. Or even of some weaker Taelons...
I question this discovery.
La'rin drew back slightly at the sharpness of Da'an's reply, then replied
softly, What do you
think could make his energy so intense?
I am not an expert in such matters... Da'an felt the curiosity of his
fellows growing, flowing
around him and pulling gently at his thoughts. Is it impossible that
the energy matrix of a
human could be intense?
It is not impossible, La'rin replied, drawing slightly closer, though
it is unlikely... if your
relationship progresses further, then his high energy levels will undoubtedly
be useful. It has
been theorized that such exposure to the Commonality could be traumatic
to the psyches of
humans...
Da'an allowed himself to relax somewhat. I will speak to Liam tonight.
That I promise.
Undoubtedly you will know...
He slipped silently from the circle, back into the semi-solitude of his
own thoughts. As the
wave of blue energy over him dissipated, he slowly opened his eyes to the
flickering shadows
on the ceiling. Sunlight was pouring through the thin white curtains, and
the branches of a tree
were waving just outside the window.
Tonight, Da'an repeated softly, rising from the bed and going to the
window. He rested his
fingers against the glass, looking out at the trees that swayed in the
distance...
********
The wide wooden doors were flung open, allowing cold air to flood the enormous
hall. A few
leaves had evidently been blown inside, over the enormous plastic crates
that were piled by
the walls. Though the sunlight was bright, there was little warmth...
Standing on the landing of the wooden stairway, Da'an frowned as a strong
gust of cool wind
swept over him. Though some Volunteers were in the hall, they were standing
by the foot of
the stairs, talking quietly.
He slowly walked down the stairway, trailing his fingers on the carved
banister. The Volunteers
quickly moved aside, their eyes following him as he drifted toward the
doors.
The breezes were stronger outside, and the leaves dancing on the wind were
orange rather
than yellow. Da'an's eyes narrowed slightly—the untouched emptiness of
the back lawn was
now covered with cargo shuttles and more equipment, glowing pale blue and
deep purple
against the grass...
"Da'an?" A quiet voice from behind him.
Da'an stiffened, slowly turning to face Sandoval. The implant's eyes were
half-closed, a
mocking smile on his lips.
Quiet. Peace. Fear will only encourage him. "Agent Sandoval?" Da'an said
quietly, linking his
fingers together in front of his chest. "May I ask where Zo'or is?"
"The deck at the south wing," Sandoval replied in a low voice, still smiling. "However..."
There was a loud crunch of gravel from further down the winding driveway.
Da'an glanced
down the gray strip to see Liam jogging toward them, wearing a gray sweatshirt
and a forced
smile.
Da'an took a shuddering breath as his protector neared the two, stepping
further from
Sandoval as Liam slowed at his side, flushed and panting with his exertion.
"Da'an, La'rin and
Zo'or... want to see you... right away," he said breathlessly.
Da'an tilted his head to the side and smiled. "Very well. Please accompany me, Major..."
As he turned and began to walk along the flower-lined perimeter, he felt
Liam's hands sliding
over his arms from behind. A protective gesture, or one of affection? Or
some combination—a
sudden overprotectiveness caused by the resurgance of affection?
I do not complain. Until recently I questioned whether Liam would retain his vow.
Da'an allowed his arms to slip back slightly, noting the warmth of Liam's
hands. The young
man's grip immediately loosened, and he let go, as if remembering who it
was he was
touching.
Taelons do not express our love via physical caresses as well as our words...
I will undergo a
small amount if he wishes to. Yet he is only part-human—perhaps he will
understand this
better. He is protective, yes...
Perhaps my motions...
Da'an smiled warmly at Liam as they walked, attempting to make the young
man feel more at
ease. Liam's response was to smile on his own, rubbing his bare hands together
in an attempt
to warm them.
****
The chill winds affected the two Taelons far less than the Volunteers who
moved quietly about
the deck, their movements jerking and stiff from the cold.
La'rin slid his hands onto the wooden railing, half-expecting to feel some
warmth from it. But
there was none. He drew back his hands, eyeing the structure that he and
Zo'or sat upon... it
somehow seemed repulsive to restructure a living organism and preserve
it, as a shelter.
Especially since this deck was exposed to all the elements...
"You wander from me, La'rin," Zo'or's sharp voice rang out. He was sitting
erect in one of the
reclining chairs, his blue eyes locked on La'rin. "If you must leave me,
then at least tell me the
reason why..."
La'rin blushed slightly. "I reflect on human building techniques."
Zo'or's features twisted slightly as he stared up at the stone mansion.
"If one might call them
that," he said softly. "How goes the reconstruction of the foundation?"
"It has been successful so far," La'rin said softly, picking up a global
from a nearby table, and
turning on the display. "The molecular bonding of the bioslurry with the
base concrete has
been successful, and the resulting substance shows no sign of degradation
or separation."
He glanced up to where Zo'or sat, and was startled to see that the young
Taelon was bowed
forward, his long hands twined together and jerking slightly. The opacity
of his blue eyes
showed that he was lost in his own thoughts, evidently having heard nothing.
The burden of their species weighed on him. La'rin had sensed it before.
He rose silently from
his seat, sinking beside Zo'or and gently touching his hands to that of
the Synod leader...
A poem that Da'an had quoted the night before last came to mind.
I bring you with reverent hands
The books of my numberless dreams,
White woman that passion has worn
As the tide wears the dove-grey sands,
And with heart more old than the horn
That is brimmed from the pale fire of time:
White woman with numberless dreams,
I bring you my passionate rhyme...
Zo'or swayed slightly, closing his dull eyes and gently pulling his hand
away as La'rin finished
recounting the poem.
I understand.
The scientist rose and carefully slid atop his own wooden chair, feeling
the rough edge scrape
against his legs. Then La'rin straightened up, seeing Da'an and Major Kincaid
walking toward
them.
********
The cold morning air had warmed under the steady sun, but the winds that
swept the estate
were still strong and whipping. Liam half-closed his eyes against one gust,
pulling his leather
jacket closer around his shoulders.
Da'an, La'rin, and Zo'or were seated in a circle of three short benches,
conversing softly.
Liam was slumped on the deck, toying with his global and watching the leaves
dance across
the sky...
"But if your master comes home triumphing/Why must you blench and shake
from foot to
crown?" Liam thought. He grimaced and ran his fingers through his rumpled
hair, feeling a
shiver run down his spine at the chill. Yeats's poetry keeps running
through my brain...
He glanced toward Zo'or, his face impassive as usual. He and La'rin were
sitting stiffly near
each other, La'rin's slender hand trailing on the edge of Zo'or's chair.
Well, that's odd...
"Due to continuous maintenance, the upper levels will require far less
repair," La'rin stated
quietly. "The initial repairs will be minor..."
"Aside from the vandalism," Zo'or replied tightly.
Da'an tilted his head slightly, his blue eyes growing paler as he started
to reply. But a
deeper voice interrupted him.
"'If Michael, leader of God's host/When Heaven and Hell are met...' Get
Yeats out of my
head, he's been there all day," Liam said in a whisper to Da'an. An impish
smile crept over
his face. "It stopped being funny sometime at three AM..."
Da'an smiled at Liam's complaint—he might grow used to the aftereffects
of sharing. He felt
La'rin's eyes following him as his hand gently brushed the side of Liam's
head, soft flickers
of energy flowing past his fingers. It will fade with time...
"I hope so," Liam murmured, glancing up at Da'an. Blue specks danced in
his green eyes as
he smiled.
Da'an continued the gentle brushing of his fingertips against the back
of Liam's neck,
half-listening to the conversing of his fellows. He frowned slightly as
the skin twisted slightly
under his hand, and quickly increased the flow of energy just under his
facade. His hand
warmed, and he felt Liam relax.
It is true—Liam's energy is far more intense than that of a full human. I must be cautious.
His eyelids flickered as the soft bands of the circle caught them in their periphery.
La'rin's soft presence. He submits to physical touches?
He is a human, and they are comforted by such gestures.
Is he aware of our manners of showing affection? He may be incapable of
establishing a
long-term link to a Taelon, if he is not part of the Commonality.
Liam straightened slightly on the chair, his green eyes narrowing slightly.
He heard their
voices.
Liam will understand. Da'an kept his tone firm as he withdrew gently
from the circle,
feeling La'rin linger on the edge of his consciousness, like a flickering
candle that danced in
the dark.
He sighed slightly, his face softening slightly as he rested one hand on
Liam's shoulder, then
allowed it to fall to the thin cushion on the bench. Zo'or's pale eyes
were turned toward
La'rin as the scientist continued speaking softly.
Would it be wise to urge my child to cling closer to La'rin? Da'an
considered the question,
then dismissed it reluctantly. It is painful enough that I know some
of his weaknesses. I
would not have his feelings for La'rin sour into hatred if he knew of some
of the things that
Zo'or feels...
So... La'rin must remain as Earth's moon. Close to the source of his feelings,
orbiting Zo'or
but never touching...
"Sad," murmured Liam's soft voice. Da'an broke from his reverie, blinking
as a breeze sent
a leaf skittering across the wooden deck.
Bright golden. Like the rose. Liam's hand shot out and caught it, the leaf
fluttering across the
back of his hand. Da'an's pale blue eyes widened as Liam's fingers drew
slowly over the
faint veins in the leaf, crushing the dried edges where the plant had fallen
into ashy decay...
"Zo'or. At last, I find you."
Da'an flinched as Liam's hand clenched over the leaf, shattering it. The
elder diplomat slowly
rose at the sound of T'than's voice...
Zo'or stared at something behind Da'an, his fingers gripping the wooden
armrests as he
rose. His pale face was twisted slightly as he began to speak, then glanced
back at La'rin.
The scientist was staring up at him with wide eyes.
T'than slowly made his way up the steps, a slight smile on his lips and
his hands tightly
clasped behind him. At the approach of the War Minister, Da'an felt Liam
shift himself up
onto the bench, his leather jacket rasping against the splintered wood.
"I wish to go now, Major," Da'an said quietly.
As the two stepped into the flowerbed, Da'an caught a glimpse of Zo'or
reluctantly seating
himself, and waving T'than to the bench furthest from himself. He sighed,
and closed his
eyes.
****
As they walked up the dim spiral staircase, Liam felt Da'an faltering a
little, gripping the
banister to steady himself.
Despite the Taelon's peculiar reaction when Liam had absently touched his
arms, Liam slid a
hand over his shoulder and waist. He winced a little as the jumpsuit's
coarse cloth dug into
his fingers.
"Are you all right?" he asked softly, as Da'an stepped into the second
floor hallway. The
Taelon's blue eyes were faintly darkened, and he was walking more slowly
than before.
Liam felt Da'an's fingers carefully detaching his, and gently curling them
in toward his palms.
They were warmer—why were Da'an's hands warmer?
As they reached his closed bedroom door, Da'an turned and said softly,
"I require the
substitute, Liam. Please wait for me outside."
Liam nodded and drew his hands back, shoving them into his pockets. My
hands feel hot.
Da'an's hands are a lot warmer than last night—he can be completely icy
and have no
idea...
Da'an pushed open the door, feeling Liam's gaze follow him as he moved
inside and
carefully twisted the edge of the doorknob, hearing it click into place.
Then he sighed,
pressing a shaking hand to his chest as he moved toward his bed and slid
atop the quilted
bedspread.
The drawer of his bedside table stuck. Da'an frowned, gripped the edges
with his fingertips
and wiggled it quickly from side to side, as he had seen Liam do once at
his desk at the
Embassy. There was the crack of wood splintering, and the drawer grated
out. The tiny glass
vial was bouncing and rolling inside.
Da'an picked it up and unscrewed the cap, feeling the green powder trickle
over his skin. He
shivered slightly, the tingling warmth spreading through his hand, along
his arm, unfurling
across the length of his body.
The cravings for kryss began to recede, leaving him breathing deeply as
he carefully placed
the vial inside the tiny drawer. He winced, pressing his fingertips to
his palm.
It cannot take away the cravings. The substitute is comforting, but there
is none of the...
the near-ecstasy that kryss had often given me for a moment. I wish for
these longings to
end, to leave me in peace, but I am beginning to believe that it will never
happen...
Da'an slowly trailed his hands over the bedspread, running his fingertips
over the seams
flattened by years of use. The cotton cloth was soft, vaguely soothing
to his fraying
emotions.
The quiet lure of the circle was calling at the edge of his mind, but he
did not reply. There
was much to be done today and tonight, before setting off again. He had
no time to simply
exist in the beautiful vortex of pure feeling and thought...
Quiet echoes of those in the circle—the swirling caress of those who encouraged
love with
Liam, and the faint call of Zo'or and T'than's angry verbal combat. As
vivid, as real as if he
were touching them now.
"Da'an?" Loud knocking. "Da'an, are you all right?"
Da'an glanced up, frowning as the door shivered on its hinges. Liam did
not know his own
strength sometimes—the thick door was surely meant to withstand a single
man. The Taelon
quickly unlocked the doorknob and eased himself through the narrow opening
between the
edges of the wall and door.
Liam was looking slightly embarrassed. "Thought you might have collapsed again."
Da'an pulled the door shut. "I am fine, Liam. I simply was... thinking."
Liam raised his eyebrows slightly. "The door-lock thing you have in this
place is going
beyond endearing personality quirk, and straight into bizarre," he said,
evidently being
humorous.
Da'an began to walk down the hallway, past the chambers of the Taelon scientists,
with the
soft glow of their equipment pulsing under the door. The ornately-framed
paintings on the
walls were darkened with time and age—he would have to have them restored.
Though
simplistic in their approach, the effort of the artists could be sensed
in them.
"Renee left earlier," Liam said unexpectedly, trying to fill the silence
that had fallen. "She
said she was coming back later, though..."
"Ms. Palmer will be attending a small celebration this evening, in the
main hall," Da'an
replied softly. The sound of faintly running water could be heard—they
must be near the tiny
balcony overlooking the conservatory. "A gesture toward the human scientists
who will be
dwelling here in future. Much of what must be done has been accomplished
in the past few
days, and thus my work is nearly done."
"The renovation is over already?" Liam asked, surprised. He pulled his
hands from his jeans'
pockets, dangling them at his sides as if uncertain of what to do with
them.
"The renovation will continue, to some degree, for the next two months,"
Da'an replied. He
paused, glancing at the two facing mirrors in one hallway. An endless line
of himself, of
Liam, stared back with eyes that had turned to glowing ivory. "However,
I am only needed
for the more pressing portions of the renovation—the foundation, the stables..."
Liam nodded. "And so... when are we leaving?"
"Tomorrow morning, if all goes as planned," Da'an replied, pressing his
palms together and
rippling his fingers over each other.
Liam stopped and crossed his arms, staring off at a bay window, with a
padded seat directly
under it. The red-leafed trees could be seen swaying in the distance. "I'll
prep the shuttle
tonight, before midnight." He paused, staring down at his shoes. "The,
uh... the substitute...
it's not helping, is it?"
Da'an sighed and moved back against the wall, thankful to have something
solid to support
him. "It lessens the cravings... they are bearable with the substitute."
"But they don't vanish entirely?"
"No..." Da'an sighed, closing his eyes. "Do not dwell on it, Liam." He
smiled slightly at Liam's
concern, so intense even though he could do nothing. "We will leave in
the morning."
****
The sun was setting beyond the windswept trees as the scientists arrived.
Imagine scientists having evening wear and dates on a Saturday night,
Liam thought,
smiling as the brightly-clad humans walked quickly down the main hall,
toward the
enormous ballroom where the Taelons were already.
As Renee Palmer walked in, Liam found his eyes admiring the white sheath
she was
wearing. Her usually straight hair was crinkled in a way that softened
her pale features and
steely eyes. She studied his dark pants and deep red shirt with equal frankness.
"I think I didn't dress casually enough," Renee said, smiling. "Are you
going to walk me...
oh, that's right. The look."
Liam felt himself flushing as he walked slowly alongside her, staring at
the careless lacing of
his shoes. "Now how do you recognize 'the look'?" he asked rather acidly.
Renee raised a narrow eyebrow. "Defensive. Sweet. Tell me honestly, why
won't you tell
me?"
"Huh?"
Renee bit her lip thoughtfully, staring at a chandelier. "She's married, isn't she?"
Liam felt a devilish grin spread over his face as they walked into the
ballroom. Folding tables
covered with expensive crackers and cheeses, and peculiar gray substances
that Liam didn't
recognize, had been set all over the place. Scientists sipping glasses
of cherry punch were
conversing quietly with Ra'im, Ta'ir, and the others. La'rin, Liam noticed,
seemed to stay on
the perimeter on every discussion, drifting through the room without actually
participating in
any one talk.
"No," he said softly. "Married isn't a problem. Very single."
Renee smiled a little. "Engaged?"
Liam felt a snicker rising up inside of him. "You'll never guess." He killed it quickly.
Renee threw out her hands toward him, mock-despairing. "What is it?"
"Never in a million years," Liam said, smirking and tracing the elaborate
floor tiles with his
eyes. Vines, grapes, and the occasional faded flower were in a mosaic on
the floor, faded
but still vivid after all that time.
Renee sighed, running her thin fingers over her golden hair. "Spill the
news, Liam. Didn't
your mother ever tell you it's not nice to keep people in suspense?"
"Leave my mother out of this." Liam crossed his arms, tilting his head to the side.
****
He remained for the rest of the evening, speaking to the curious scientists
about the
renovation of the ancient mansion. That and receiving barbs from Renee,
he thought dryly.
Don't think she's jealous, but she IS being a bit too inquisitive....
He felt a faint tingle up his arm before the sensation of touch reached
him. He glanced over
his shoulder at Da'an, smiling at him with a faint white-blue glow under
his facade. His eyes
were iridescent again, his hands were warm.
It is time for our talk. "Major, please accompany me."
Liam nodded and set down his punch glass. He followed Da'an through the
brightly-lit main
hall, and out into the cold night. He blinked as the air stung his throat
and eyes, then
followed Da'an as the Taelon set off across the dark lawn...
****
The soft rustle of wind on the grass and leaves was the only sound that
Da'an heard—the
house was too far away for the sounds of those inside to reach him. He
slowly knelt on the
ground, facing the dark trees.
He smiled softly at the feel of the stars. The song, the slow circle across
the vastness of the
sky, the feeling of peace that permeated the darkness.
As he had before, he looked up at the moon, hanging close in the star-studded
sky. Then he
glanced down as Liam slid down on the grass beside him, their knees almost
touching. His
breath was misting in the cold air as he spoke. "You asked if we could
talk."
Da'an hesitated, considering his words carefully. He leaned slightly closer,
keeping his voice
soft. "Yes, we must talk. I have been compelled... to ask you of the future
that you may
select for yourself."
He slowly raised his hands to touch Liam's cheeks. His blue eyes were shining
in the faint
light. "I ask you if you wish to progress to the next step, to join me
in all ways possible in
the sight of the Commonality. I ask you to join me as my spouse."
He felt Liam's pulse accelerate, then slow to normal, under his fingertips.
The young man's
pupils dilated and then contracted, apparently in no connection with the
movement of his
eyelids. Da'an smiled. He had chosen to lessen his facade and make himself
as sensitive as
possible, to pick up the nuances of Liam's reactions.
As Liam opened his mouth, Da'an pulled his hand from his protector's face
and held it
between them. "Do not speak. I... have somewhat more to say. You have met
Jaridians,
Liam. They say Taelons do not feel, we cannot love. This is untrue. We
do love, and we
attempt to love deeply when we do..."
He drew his right hand over Liam's cheek, carefully sensing what he could
of his protector's
thoughts. Contradictory in their base nature, slowly adjusting to the offer
being given to
him...
"But what if you weren't allowed-" Liam began to say, then cut himself
short. He stared for a
moment at the long blades of grass that gleamed against his outspread hands.
"I am a Taelon, free of the boundaries set on me by the Synod in my youth,"
Da'an said
softly, his hands falling palm-up on his lap. "All Taelons are free to
choose a spouse of
another species, even one that is considered inferior. It is one of the
few aspects of our lives
that we are truly free in. And..."
He slowly raised his small hands toward Liam, his facade flickering faint
blue-white in the
moonlight. "If you accept, you would be under my protection unless you
directly threatened
the Taelons... an ancient tradition that lingers to this day."
A slight smile began to cross Liam's lips. "But if they found out... that I'm not all human..."
"Even that could not give them license to harm you. I would not ask you
such things if I
were not certain..." Da'an paused, as if collecting his thoughts, then
lowered his hands to the
backs of Liam's. The protector's skin tingled slightly with the feel of
Da'an's energy flickering
over him.
Da'an was still watching him with wide eyes. "If you do not wish this,
I understand. If you
choose to decline my offer, I will disperse what I feel through the Commonality.
It would be
no more."
Liam stared at the Taelon for a moment, his deep green eyes devoid of emotion,
then slowly
turned his hands under Da'an's and curled his fingers over Da'an's wrists.
"I'd be honored,"
he said softly.
Da'an smiled, blushing as he turned his face toward the sky. He sensed
Liam growing closer
to his mind, gently enfolding the young man in an embrace of emotion and
flowing energy.
Slowly integrating the other's thoughts into his own, weaving his essence
into Liam's...
He felt the Commonality flowing around them like a sweeping river, the
voices of the
Taelons reforming themselves into a single, melodious chime. He heard more
individual
whispers, ringing softly amid the white noise that filled his mind...
The Taelons sensed Liam, his thoughts twining with Da'an's as the joining
grew ever deeper.
Da'an felt his anxiety increase—Liam sensed them, was alarmed by them.
He quickly altered
the exchange of thought patterns, calming his new spouse...
He could sense the reactions to this news:
Shock.
Disgust.
Curiosity.
Acceptance.
Chosen.
The vision of the Commonality melted away as the sharing ended. Da'an shuddered
slightly
as the chilly night wind struck him. He heard the sound of the leaves shifting
in the trees,
and opened his eyes.
Liam's hands still tightly gripped Da'an's. He was staring at Da'an, a
faint flicker of
phosphorescence lighting his skin and eyes.
Da'an winced slightly as Liam's arms suddenly slipped around him, holding
him tightly. He
was still adjusting...
Liam drew back slightly. Da'an closed his eyes as Liam's lips brushed his
for a moment. An
unusual sensation, not entirely pleasant, but if he wishes...
He slid his hands across the sides of Liam's head, offering his new spouse
a command to
sleep. Liam relaxed somewhat, slumping down against the ground, but his
eyes were still
open. Da'an smiled, blushing faintly.
Liam...
They said no more words in the few hours until sunrise.
****
Sunlight spilled over the horizen as Liam woke, from the trancelike sleep
he had drifted in.
His cold hand had not unclasped from Da'an's as the time had passed, his
fingertips moving
gently across Da'an's wrist and fingers.
Da'an knelt at his side, his half-closed eyes watching his protector. Liam
was cradled in the
thick grass, his face pale and peaceful in the waning moonlight. The bluish
glow under his
skin had faded as Da'an's energy softly melted into his own.
Da'an looked up sharply as the sunlight struck the side of the mansion,
making the gray
stones of the walls sparkle for a second. He smiled slightly, enjoying
the sight as the faint
warmth spread across the field.
"Prep the shuttle," Liam said suddenly, not moving from where he lay. "I
forgot to prep the
shuttle."
"Think on it later."
Liam shifted on the ground, watching Da'an with wide eyes as he slowly
pushed himself into
a sitting position. His hand slowly slid from Da'an's, a faint tingle of
energy prickling his
fingertips.
"So... you say that you won't be harassed for having taken a human spouse.
What about
Zo'or—or T'than?"
Da'an smiled slightly, eyes following a small gray beetle trotting past
him. It paused and
began nibbling on the edge of an aged dandelion. "I believe that I am capable
of dealing
with Zo'or, at least. His anger is of the moment."
He sighed. The beetle was now struggling to climb the withered green stem,
but slipped to
the ground every few seconds. "T'than is not under my control, however,
and neither am I
under his. I sense... many Taelons who are intrigued by the possible outcome
of our new
alliance. T'than and Zo'or will soon adjust. Until then..."
"'Kiss me, kill me, tie me to the wall,'" Liam said, smiling impishly.
"Love and war are both in
the future with those two around. Not Yeats, I know."
"I would prefer to do neither," Da'an replied dryly.
Liam slid onto his side, resting the back of his head on his hand. His
green eyes squinted at
the sunlight that was growing brighter by the second. Da'an smiled, watching
his protector's
quiet absorption of his surroundings.
"Why am I not tired? Or cold, I'm not cold." Liam sat up sharply, bits
of grass clinging to his
black leather jacket and flannel shirt. "I was up all night, and I can
tell by the air... it's cold
here. But I'm not cold or tired."
Da'an turned his gaze to the beetle. Somehow the tiny creature had fallen
from the stem,
and now lay on its armored back with its thin legs wiggling furiously.
"The infusion of Taelon
energy into your neural pathways has, for the moment, energized you. I
do not believe it
would affect a normal human, but..."
He paused, seeking words as he gently touched his fingertip to the beetle,
and flipped it
upright. It skittered into the grass, the sunlight glinting on its shell,
and was gone.
He lifted his eyes to Liam's light green ones, noting a faint blue glint
that remained dancing
in their depths. "You possess a core matrix of energy that surpasses that
of nearly all
humans. I believe that the sudden infusion of my energy is why you now
feel no need for
rest."
Liam raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by the concept. "I think... shall
we say I hope we
won't... that we are going to fight like cats and dogs in the future."
He sat up slowly and
began brushing the bits of damp grass that clung to his arms and chest.
"After all, loving
someone doesn't make you change political views."
"True," Da'an replied softly. "Though I hope that future... disagreements will be softened."
Liam glanced over the field and trees, still touched by the early morning
dew, despite the
growing warmth of the morning. A faint tingling ran through his arms and
legs, as if his
muscles had fallen asleep. "Da'an?"
Da'an's pale blue eyes darkened slightly as he turned his attention from
a nearby violet.
"Yes?"
"Do you love me?"
The Taelon looked mildly offended by the question. "I have shared with
you as my bound
spouse, Liam. You know that I have a deep attachment to you, that may be
deemed 'love.'"
His expression shifted to one of mild amusement. "Taelons do not feel the
need for verbal
information of such a nature."
"Never mind," Liam sighed, smiling ruefully. "I suppose that's 'yes, but don't ask me again.'"
Da'an's face softened slightly. He touched his hand to his protector's
cheek, watching as a
faint burst of energy dissipated across Liam's skin, stimulating a pleasing
warmth. Liam
smiled slightly and half-closed his eyes, then rose quickly to his feet.
"Better get in," he said
quietly. "Zo'or's probably chewing on furniture by now."
Da'an kept a faint smile on his lips, repressing the thoughts that sprang
to his mind. He
slowly rose from the damp grass, and began the slow walk back to the vast
mansion. Liam
walked a few steps behind him, his breathing and footsteps the only sounds
that Da'an could
hear.
As they passed the flowerbeds, Da'an saw with a pang that many of the blooms
were dying,
withering with the growing cold. But, he saw with a soft smile, the yellow
rose of the
previous days had been joined by four more, nodding in the soft breeze.
*******
As Liam shut the heavy wooden door, Da'an found himself straining to hear
anything that
might be overheard. The main hall was empty, dimmed with heavy dustdrapes
pulled over
the high windows, but studded through with tiny rays of light. Many of
the metal boxes had
been removed from the piles on the floor...
Da'an carefully wove past these, hearing a soft murmur of voices grow behind
the wooden
walls. He blushed softly, enhancing his rather inadequate senses...
Renee Palmer. Ra'im. La'rin. Volunteer Squad Lead Hiaasen. Scientist Edwards.
Fortunate—I do not feel like facing Zo'or at the moment, though I know
he will hunt and
corner me before long. And Liam will soon need rest as well—Zo'or may harass
him as well
as me..
He moved quickly to the wide, closed doors of the ballroom, and rested
his hands against
the smooth surface. In the days when this house was constructed, two servants
would have
been utilized to open the doors when necessary. Da'an smiled ruefully,
looking down at the
slim hands and arms before him.
"Shall I?" Liam's low voice asked.
"Please do," Da'an replied, shifting up against a large oil painting of
a winding, sunlit river. "I
find that I am unable to."
Liam leaned forward and braced himself against the massive wooden doors,
grimacing as
they shifted forward. The hinges creaked loudly as the doors parted, allowing
the hubbub of
the ballroom to hit Da'an like a physical blow.
I am perhaps too used to the peace and silence of the field... Da'an
thought, moving into
the ballroom. Nearly fifty Volunteers stood inside, their squad leaders
standing on chairs and
barking orders. Da'an winced slightly as the Volunteers quickly dragged
or carried metal
crates out of the open windows.
"Getting everything for the actual renovation out of here," Liam said softly.
He was standing
on his toes, his green eyes wide as he strained to see over the Volunteers
for someone.
"There they are... oh, she looks mad at me."
Renee Palmer was walking around the perimeter of the building, her blonde
hair slightly
tangled around her pale face. She ignored Da'an, moving close to Liam in
a manner that the
Taelon would describe as confrontational.
"Where were you? I spent half the night looking for you, Kincaid. What
were you doing?"
Concern mixed with irritation.
Liam sighed and ran his fingers through his short hair. "Renee I... Da'an
wanted me to talk
with him."
"Da'an wanted you to—oh, for the love-"
"Renee, I'm sorry if I left you in the lurch."
"Right before the slow dance, Kincaid."
Liam shot an embarrassed glance at Da'an, who was smiling softly at his
spouse. He had no
doubt of his spouse's feelings—while he found Renee Palmer attractive physically,
he had
subconsciously dismissed her as a choice for a potential mate long before.
Da'an had sensed
that they were not compatible.
Liam shrugged, then replied to Palmer, "Look, Renee, I need to eat something.
I'm getting
pretty tired—I was really busy."
Palmer's eyes narrowed slightly. "All right. But I'm coming along. I need
a cup of something
warm and caffienated..."
****
Fortunately, Zo'or and T'than were not present as Da'an moved slowly to
his bedroom,
watching the Volunteers moving a massive barrel of bioslurry along the
narrow rug that ran
to the doorway.
As his hand closed over the cold doorknob to his room, Da'an heard a faint
creaking of
floorboards not far off. He pushed open the door and quickly pushed it
shut, blushing as it
grated against the doorframe. As he clicked the lock into place, he heard
T'than's voice
murmur, "Sha'bra..."
Fortunate, he thought, feeling deep relief as he moved toward the bed.
He allowed himself
to slip into the circle as he lowered himself onto the soft blanket—he
would not need the
energy stream. The exchange of energy with Liam would, for the moment,
sustain him.
He first sensed fury—Zo'or, angry almost beyond words. The younger Taelon
appeared to
be ranting, his thoughts encircling his calmer fellows like fiery bands
that flitted in and out of
existance. The scientists withstood his anger, knowing that it was partly
frustration, partly
jealousy...
Da'an winced slightly as he sensed La'rin. The younger Taelon's exhaustion
was
evident—Zo'or probably had roused him from his rest the night before to
listen. Da'an
smiled softly as La'rin offered him a soft welcome, and returned the greeting
warmly.
Zo'or's angry cries diminished as Da'an's presence was felt, into coldness.
How can you
have done this thing?
Done what?
Joined yourself to your protector. A human.
I am free to do so, Zo'or.
Disgust. Intense unhappiness.
Da'an softened his tone, caressing his conflicted child with them. If
I am drawn to a
human, am I not to follow those feelings? Must I tell myself, "no, he is
not worthy"? If
humanity is the best hope for the Taelon race, as Ma'el believed-
Zo'or displayed what he thought of Ma'el's beliefs.
Da'an ignored the images flashing through his mind. -then no harm can
come of joining
Liam. I have observed that you consider him more worthy than your own protector.
Considering that Sandoval is my protector...
Calm yourself, Zo'or. The entirety of the Commonality sensed my choice,
and most have
accepted it. Many Taelons have joined with aliens before, in an effort
to enhance our
species... greet the news with joy rather than anger... what would you
think of me if I cast
aside my chosen spouse?
Zo'or's reply was inaudible, but Da'an sensed that it would be a long time,
perhaps until the
recurrance of ka'athaam, before his child would bring up this subject again.
Ta'ir's warm greeting encircled Da'an as Zo'or fell back into the quieter
mind of La'rin. It is
fortunate that you chose to ask him...
You did not allow me the option of considering it.
Do not be childish, Ta'ir chided affectionately. What was Kincaid's reaction to the joining?
He remained relatively clear-minded throughout the exposure to the Commonality,
evidently finding it disturbing. His higher energy matrix allowed him to
adapt... as well as a
certain degree of Taelon energy.
Visibly?
Yes.
I am intrigued.
Indeed.
****
The kitchen was darkened and stuffy, the counters and ancient wooden table
piled with food
purchased for the human scientists. They wouldn't miss one meal.
Liam could still feel the residual Taelon energy flowing through his brain,
along his muscles,
as if someone had injected fluid life into him. But it was fading, leaving
him feeling drained
and heavy. Though he still heard Renee's quiet footsteps on the wooden
floor, the sounds
seemed distant.
He pulled a box of cereal from one of the bags and studied it unhappily.
"Someone's on
quite a health kick," he murmured, breaking the top open. "Oh well..."
"Liam!" Renee's voice broke through his thoughts. She leaned forward on
the table, her
hands spread on the polished wood. "I've been trying to get you to talk.
What was Da'an
talking to you all night about?"
Liam sighed and opened a nearby cupboard. He swayed slightly as he examined
a plastic
bowl, then pulled it out and poured the vaguely-brown flakes into it. "Did
you know Taelons
kiss with their fingers?"
Renee's face tightened slightly, her pale eyes narrowing. "No."
"Well, they do." Liam summoned a wan smile, pulling a plastic spoon from
his pants pocket.
"Last night... Da'an made me his spouse."
Her eyes were slits. "His what?"
Liam sighed, churning the flakes in his bowl and listening to the faint
crinkling sound they
made. "His spouse, his bound mate, the one with whom he joins and exchanges
energy. Til
death do us part; I do; I do, Da'an..."
"You did what?" Renee asked in a low voice. "Liam, do you mean to say that
you and
Da'an..."
"Exactly. In human terms, we're married. Da'an and I... well, we were..."
Liam pulled open
the refrigerator, scanning the shelves for any sign of milk. "I guess Taelons
mingle their
energy in view of the entire Commonality—almost complete merging of minds.
The actual
experience ranged between hellish and mind-blowing."
"You're married," Renee said softly, "to a Taelon. Liam, have you lost your mind?"
"My mind is in my head where it's always been," Liam said, frowning. There
were large
tanks of a viscous gray fluid on the sagging shelves, bubbling faintly
from within. No milk.
"Only difference is that now I've got a dollop of Taelon energy in it."
"Do you have any idea the trouble you could get into?" Renee asked coldly,
draping her arm
over the open door. "If Zo'or found out-"
"Zo'or knows—all the Taelons know that Da'an's spouse is human," Liam said,
pressing a
hand to one of the tanks and attempting to shift it. The thin metal shelf
wobbled, and he
quickly withdrew his hand. "But apparently Zo'or can't do a thing."
Renee nudged the door with her knee. Liam shifted back as it snapped shut.
"I don't believe
this," she announced, sounding tired.
"Hrm," was all Liam said.
He slid onto a nearby chair and began eating the dry flakes, looking out
the window at
bobbing tree branches like skeletal hands. Most of the colored leaves were
gone, making the
boughs look naked and dead.
He swallowed hard. The flakes were sticking in his throat. "Renee, I know
what I'm doing. If
other Taelons sit up and pay attention to this-"
Her hand slapped flat on wooden table, making Liam jump. The flakes in
his spoon fell to the
floor with a crunch. "Then we'll have Taelons worming into our hearts as
well as our minds,"
Renee replied coolly. Her face softened slightly as she sat down opposite
him, her long
hands slipping over his. "Liam, how do you know that Da'an isn't influencing
you? The
Taelons are more than psychic-"
"Believe me, Renee," Liam said quietly. "My father knew how to influence
potential mates.
And Da'an just showed me what he thought."
****
Da'an remained silent in the circle for a time, allowing himself to wander
through from one
Taelon to another. Zo'or was still furious, but was slowly growing more
accepting under
La'rin's soft offerings.
La'rin does not know how grateful I am. Zo'or would be unable to see entirely
if he had not
been soothed and spoken to by someone that he almost trusts...
Da'an moved closer to La'rin, feeling the exhausted young Taelon respond
to him
immediately. He opened his mind before La'rin, allowing the younger Taelon
to experience
his gratitude and sympathy. La'rin seemed overwhelmed by the gesture, thanking
Da'an
before withdrawing to the edge of the circle.
I feel the need to rest. Last night was... quite unpleasant for Zo'or...
I understand.
Da'an felt La'rin withdraw fully, even as the warm presence of Ta'ir drew
closer and
whispered, I am curious, my friend.
What?
Do you know the cause of Kincaid's higher energy matrix? You seemed quite alarmed...
I was merely nervous. Do not dwell on it.
If you wish...
Da'an felt Ta'ir's amusement as he drifted from the circle. As he slowly
opened his eyes, he
saw Liam standing beside the bed, with a plastic bowl in his hand and a
faintly bemused
expression in his deep green eyes.
***********
Da'an blinked, wondering briefly why Liam had entered his room. The young
man looked
tired but was clear-eyed, traces of glowing blue now gone from the green
depths.
He slowly pushed himself up from the quilt. "Yes, Major? What is it?" he asked softly.
Liam's narrow eyes flickered as he set the bowl down on the bedside table,
then looked back
to Da'an. "The shuttle's prepped for return to the Embassy, and the supply
shuttles are
currently taking off for other facilities, or to the mothership."
Da'an smiled softly, gesturing at the bedspread beside him. Liam sat down
with a faint
grimace, stretching his long legs over the edge of it. "Very well," Da'an
said quietly. "Have
Zo'or and T'than left the facility?"
"No," Liam replied quietly, leaning back on his hands. His eyes widened
slightly as he
watched the thin shadows of the branches wiggle on the white bedroom window.
"T'than's
out by his shuttle, waiting for an on-duty Volunteer to pilot him back.
And Zo'or's stalking
about this place with a tigerish look on his face." Da'an saw faint muscle
spasms in the side
of Liam's neck, twitching under the skin. "If looks could kill, he'd have
vaporized me and half
the west wing."
Da'an smiled slightly. As he reached out a hand and pressed his cool fingers
to his spouse's
neck, he said softly, "Zo'or will soon become accustomed to your new status
within our
society."
"I happen to like my current status, thank you so very much." Liam's eyes
sparkled as he
leaned slightly to the side, against Da'an's hand. "When we get back to
the Embassy, what
do you plan to do?" he added quietly.
Da'an frowned, pressing his fingers more firmly against Liam's skin. He
began carefully
directing whispers of his energy past Liam's epidermis—he could sense growing
exhaustion.
"I will reaccustom myself with the news at present, and possibly rest for
a short while. What
do you intend to do?"
Liam closed his eyes and sighed, evidently enjoying the sensation of energy
trickling into
him. "I'll either go home and collapse, or start writing the first chapter
of my memoirs. I
Married An Alien."
Da'an smiled slightly, and withdrew his hand. Liam swayed slightly, his
eyes still shut, then
steadied himself on the bedpost, a sly smile creeping over his features.
"You did it again,
didn't you?"
"It would not be prudent," Da'an replied quietly, "for you to pilot my
shuttle if you are so
fatigued." He tilted his head to the side. "How do you feel?"
"Less devastatingly exhausted," Liam replied softly. He pushed himself
away from the
wooden post, closer to Da'an. His voice lowered as he pressed both hands
to the quilt, his
eyes close to the Taelon's. Da'an lowered his gaze as Liam asked in a quiet
tone, "What
about the kryss? Are you still craving it?"
Da'an's eyes flickered from one outstretched hand to the other, as if he
were weighing
options that rested in his palms. Then he smiled, speaking almost to himself.
"I have been...
preoccupied. There has been much to distract my thoughts..."
Liam smiled in return. "Sandoval's been leaving you alone, right?"
"He has. I believe that the removal of his immediate kryss has caused him
to rethink
whatever options..." Da'an looked up, lacing his fingers together in his
lap and allowing
himself to blush slightly. "It is not important."
He felt Liam's eyes watching him as he closed his own, quickly skimming
through the events
of the past few days. Though the memory of the night when Sandoval had
pressured him to
accept kryss was still fresh, the implant's quiet, seductive words had
faded to mists in his
memory. More vivid in his mind was Liam's face as the sharing had ended,
Zo'or's
near-frantic replies to the news, Ta'ir's gentle prodding...
The Taelon stiffened slightly as he felt Liam's arms slide around his shoulders
and upper
torso, cheek touching Da'an's. A faint burst of energy made Liam jerk as
he touched his
spouse.
Intriguing. He is uncertain of this gesture—he does not know how I will
react. Perhaps
acceptance...
Da'an relaxed his form to a certain degree, resting his cheek against Liam's
shoulder. He
sensed mild surprise from Liam, followed by quiet acceptance. He felt the
gentle pressure of
Liam's hand touching his back, slowly moving in circles.
Da'an smiled, closing his blue eyes and half-lowering his facade. The bright
sunlight seemed
to soften and intensify as his senses were freed.
Liam slowly drew back, his face flushed with faint embarrassment and the
mild glow of
Taelon energy. Da'an restored his facade, smiling softly at his spouse
as he slid off the
covers, to the floor. "I wish to return to the Embassy, Liam. You are ready
to depart?"
Liam nodded and rose to his feet, standing at attention as Da'an reluctantly
opened the
bedside table drawer, and pressed the vial of green crystals between his
palms.
"You'll beat it," Liam said quietly, as Da'an left the room, stepping into the dim hallway.
"I hope that I do," Da'an whispered.
****
"Life is a labyrinth, and I am happy, happy happy." Liam appeared to be
speaking for the
sole purpose of hearing his own voice echo down the stairway and vast halls.
He did not see what Da'an saw. The slim form of Ta'ir, wreathed in shadows
and watching
them with bright eyes. Da'an felt the amused gaze follow him as he carefully
stepped after
Liam, who for some reason was walking down the steps two at a time and
eyeing the
woodwork with great interest.
Your spouse has a peculiar sense of humor.
Normally he is far more serious. Given his actions toward me the previous
evening and his
current behavior, I believe that exposure to Taelon energy has a certain
effect on him. A
distinctly endearing, yet unflattering one.
Liam smiled beatifically, a decidedly blue flash crossing his eyes. "I
can hear you, you know.
Yeah, I do notice that I act different when exposed to Taelon energy. At
peace with the
world, no problems, no problems, none at all..." He smiled enigmatically
at Ta'ir, as if
pleased with a secret that he kept to himself. "'That old black magic has
me in its spell...'"
"Intriguing." Ta'ir stepped closer and pressed his hands to the sides of
Liam Kincaid's skull.
The insertion of mild energy tendrils would produce a prickling sensation
within his
brain—nothing unpleasant, merely uncomfortable.
He frowned, sensing the odd mingled energies that appeared in his perception
as distinct
colors: the soft blue of Da'an's energy, the pale red of Kincaid's, with
a distinctly whitish
tinge where they converged in the neural centers of his brain. With his
stunted outward
senses, he noticed that Kincaid's face bore a faint smile, and his green-rimmed
pupils had
contracted to mere black pinpricks, like a faint black hole in green space.
The high energy matrix might be at fault, culminating in the rudimentary
energy pathways
that humans had. Taelons rarely became giddy following a joining, intense
or not; the
Commonality kept them sedate. Kincaid, being sadly individual, was thus
susceptible to the
peculiar effects. Ta'ir had seen other species, following a joining, become
ill or sometimes
violent.
It is nothing to concern yourself about. He merely is disoriented by the
sudden acceleration
of energy within his buried pathways. So long as he does not threaten you,
he may follow
at will.
Da'an folded his hands. I am pleased that this is so.
"I love you, Da'an. Never change," Kincaid spoke up suddenly. Ta'ir removed
his palms
from Kincaid's head, noting a faint wobble in his step as he moved back
toward Da'an. The
diplomat placed a hand on Liam's neck and blushed slightly.
Will this impede any future sharings?
I think not. Unless, you are opposed to a pleasantly giddy human circling you.
Please be serious.
I am. No long-term damage is done to him by sharing or joining. It may
be beneficial to
him in case of injuries. I also sense that your own energy has been renewed
somewhat by
the sharings.
I had not noticed.
"He's right, you know," Liam said, smiling softly and leaning against the
lion's-head banister.
He began to chuckle quietly.
Da'an looked slightly disturbed at his spouse's behavior, but simply replied, In any case...
It is possible that your protector's problem may be overcome via regular
contact with an
energy stream.
Liam spoke up, from where he had been carefully inserting his hand into
the lion's open
jaws. "Can't be done. I once stuck my hand into Da'an's energy stream just
to see what it'd
be like. I burned all the skin off my hand, and scared Da'an to the moon
by my screaming."
"Perhaps an energy stream is not the answer," Ta'ir said dryly. "I will
study this problem.
Bring him to me after some future joining, and I will attempt to discover
why it is that he
reacts this way."
"I'm in no hurry. Want to check me now?" Liam asked, smiling benevolently
at the two
Taelons, swaying slightly where he stood.
Da'an seemed to be growing more amused by his protector's state, gently
placing his hands
on Liam's arms and drawing him down the hallway. "I do not believe that
we have the time.
Once the effects have diminished, we will depart for the Embassy."
"Fine with me," Liam replied quietly, as Da'an drew him to the massive
front doors. The
Taelon tugged for a moment on the heavy handle, before it creaked open,
spilling sunlight
over the hall.
********
The sun was bright, too bright. It stung Renee's eyes like a pair of hot coals.
Her heeled shoes kept slipping on the loose dirt and grass, churned up
by the conventional
drives of the shuttles, pulsing streams of energy that threw back anything
that touched
them. Her neck was beginning to feel cool and numb—she had the beginnings
of a beautiful
sunburn.
I am going to talk to him if I have to fight my way in to do it. What does
he expect me to
think? He spends all night out in a field with Da'an, then comes back the
next morning with
grass in his hair, and announces they're married. Married. To a Taelon.
Not a word about
the Resistance or what this means to him.
The shuttles crouched near the massive porch like enormous blue beetles
waiting to pounce,
glowing as the power systems were warmed up. Renee bent down to glance
at the number
emblazoned on its ridged belly.
"What are you doing here?"
Harsh voice, authoritative, higher than Zo'or's. T'than.
Renee felt her features automatically shifting into a pleasant, stony mask.
She knew T'than's
type—had taken over his type before.
You smile and let them lob what they will at you. Smile and smile, then
take them by
surprise when they think you're a shoe-in.
He was leaning against one of the other shuttles, cobalt eyes slitted like
a cat's in his narrow
face. Despite the obvious lack of gender, Renee found herself considering
T'than more male
than Da'an or Zo'or. It was the sash, probably—a strip of stiff material
that made his chest
and shoulders look broader than they really were.
"What are you doing here?" he repeated sharply, taking a step forward.
She stepped back,
wincing as a clod of dirt slipped under her heel. "I asked you a question."
Best paste-on smile. "Renee Palmer, Doors International CEO." She held
out her hand,
praying that it wasn't too sweaty.
T'than only stared at the hand, as if she were offering him a dead rat,
and deliberately
clasped his own hands behind his back. "I repeat my question-"
Renee slid her hand into her pocket, clenching it into a fist. "I was waiting
for Major Kincaid.
I have a..." Long pause, emanating tension. "Certain topic to discuss with
him."
T'than's eyes widened slightly. "You refer to the joining with Da'an."
"Yes."
A faint sneer twisted T'than's face as he glanced toward the heavy front
doors. "Da'an never
had knowledge of whom the best mates would be. He is entranced, seduced
by that which is
beneath us until he is forced to see truth."
Renee bit her lip. Control. Quiet. Smile...
Then T'than started, staring at her as if only just seeing her. How
flattering. He forgot I was
standing there while talking about what a rotten choice for a human Da'an
chose...
****
The sunlight and cold winds struck Da'an as he opened the door, giving
him the peculiar
sensation of freezing and burning simultaneously. Liam winced and held
his arm before his
eyes, but did not react otherwise.
Da'an allowed a small smile to play over his lips as he felt Liam's fingers
slide around his
arm. The young man's eyes and face were still peaceful with the aftereffects
of the sharing.
I am only glad he did not become violent following the joining. Or worse, during.
Da'an began to carefully descend the steep marble steps, and stopped as
he saw two figures
standing rigidly by the shuttle, one clad in purple and one in deep gray.
Renee Palmer was
half-reclining on one of the shuttle engines, her long legs stuck out across
the grass. One
shoe was off her foot, and she was idly kicking at it.
T'than was staring ahead at the gravel streets beyond the trees, his mouth
moving almost
imperceptibly. Da'an smiled slightly—T'than had agreed to attempt civility
with high-ranking
humans whom the Taelons consorted with, but not with protectors or Volunteers.
Da'an sighed and clasped his fingers together. Unfortunately, conversation
is one of the
War Minister's less impressive skills, and he does it clumsily. He insinuates
himself badly. I
feel for Miss Palmer.
As if sensing his thoughts, Palmer stood up quickly and began slipping
her foot into the gray
pump amid the green grass. T'than glanced up at the pillared porch. His
face hardened into
something that Da'an recognized all too well.
"Want me to get rid of him?" Liam murmured.
Da'an smiled and passed a hand over the wrist of his still-affected protector.
"I must face
T'than now or later, and I would prefer that it would be now. He must 'get
it out of his
system.' Words do not harm me, and thus I need no protection."
Liam accepted this with a faint smile, but Da'an saw the beginnings of
awakening suspicion
in his blue-green eyes. The effects of energy on him were beginning to
wind away. A
shame... he is rather more endearing as he is.
Renee Palmer was walking somewhat unsteadily toward them, wiggling the
heel of her foot
into the shoe. "Liam, come down here. I want to talk to you."
Liam stepped down to the ground, his green eyes wide and vague. "What about?"
he asked
quietly.
Renee raised an eyebrow at his slightly vacant face, but waved a hand as
she stalked
toward a grove of trees near the road. Liam glanced at Da'an, shrugged,
and followed her at
a more leisurely pace, humming softly.
T'than watched them go with increasingly slitted eyes, a sign that his
disgust was growing
deeper. "If you had to choose a spouse from a species not our own," he
said darkly, "must
you take a human?"
"And what are your precise objections to Liam?"
The War Minister shifted sideways as he looked toward Da'an. "He is not
your equal, Da'an.
We use humanity to fight the Jaridians—they ensure our survival. I would
have expected
Zo'or to take a human mate—experience their raw instinct, their burning
aggressions. I
would not have expected you to take one to yourself."
Da'an tilted his head to the side, willing his eyes to betray nothing.
"You believe that humans
are nothing but instinct, aggression?"
"I believe that they are more, but only creeping beyond it." T'than tilted
his face upward, his
lips twisting. "However, as I now am sure, you told neither myself nor
Zo'or of your
intentions concerning the human Kincaid because you knew our responses."
"It is ironic," Da'an replied coolly, "that you note Liam's existance only
when he is altered to
be my spouse."
"I had no reason to acknowledge him before!" T'than snapped, his shoulders
straining back
as his clasped hands tightened. "But all is done, and I cannot change it."
"No, you cannot." Da'an took a step closer, keeping his voice and face
soft. "I have definite
reasons for taking Liam as my spouse. They are not immediately obvious,
especially to one
who glories in conflict rather than attempting to find a peaceable manner
of increasing our
numbers."
"You will keep me informed."
"I will."
T'than, quiet yourself... ah, you too easily fly to anger. It would have
been better if you
had been born a human—they release their fury in harmless, short bursts
rather than a
slow burning like that of a red giant.
T'than's features blushed slightly, as if he were holding back his temper.
Da'an was pleased
to note that he, himself, was restraining the words of dismissal that flew
to his lips.
He heard Liam's footsteps on the dry grass, coming back toward them. Da'an
noticed that
Liam's gait was quicker, his face less giddy-looking. The effects were
wearing off already.
"Ready?" he asked. No trace of a slur or a stumble.
"Very well," Da'an replied quietly. He watched T'than for a moment before
boarding the
shuttle, and sinking into the rigid passenger's seat behind Liam.
Da'an was tempted to stroke his spouse's lean throat and boyish face again,
touching Liam
with his energy and being touched. He decided that neither needed distraction
or
disorientation during the flight.
*********
It's like being drunk, but with no hangover.
Liam could feel the faint tingling inside his skull waning as his senses
cleared and returned to
normal. For the past half-hour after the sharing, he had seen and heard
the world through a
blue, glowing haze that allowed him to see auras of energy emanating from
everything, as
well as allowing him to hear all mental conversations of Da'an's.
He took a glance back at Da'an, who was absorbed in the text scrolling
past him on a
wavering datastream. Yes, the white-blue aura of before had faded away.
Da'an's blue eyes and pale facade had glowed and pulsed like a living statue
under a
spotlight before, still churned up by the sharing even in full facade.
Ta'ir, however, had
glowed steady blue, while the trees and grass had been surrounded by clouds
of soft gray
energy. It had been fun while it lasted...
"Da'an?"
The Taelon waved away his datastream. "Liam?"
Liam blew out his cheeks in a loud sigh, waving up the autopilot and engaging
it to home
base. "I was just wondering. Do you, uh... see anything differently after
we share or join?"
Da'an's gaze didn't even waver.
Liam rubbed the back of his neck and grimaced. "I mean, I see auras around
you and other
things after we share—really spectacular ones."
Da'an smiled softly, apparently understanding what his spouse was babbling
about. "I see. I
do tend to feel somewhat different after sharings in a physical manner.
For instance, I felt
particular antagonism toward T'than in our discourse, and I perceived objects
as less vivid
and sharply-defined. That perception is fading now, and I was dwelling
on it even as I read."
Liam looked mildly embarrassed. "Sorry to bother you."
Da'an waved his slim hand dismissively. "Our closeness is newly founded.
You undoubtedly
have many questions, and I will seek to answer them."
Liam's eyebrows inched up slightly. He appeared to ponder something for
a moment, head
bowed and face grim. "Is it normal for a Taelon to glow blue, or blue-white?"
Da'an's eyes paled to cream, shot through with sky-blue. "Blue-white is
the color of energy
after a sharing, when it has not been fully integrated. What you saw was
your energy
mingled with mine—Ta'ir saw something similar in you."
Liam thought about replying, but the word "weird" kept forcing its way
to the forefront of his
mind. He decided to dismiss the idea of a reply, and stick to questions.
As he thought up the next one, a cocky grin crossed his face. "Do you mind
if I slow-dance
with Renee in future? She doesn't like looking like a dateless single at
fundraising balls."
Da'an smiled softly, tilting his head in his protector's direction. "You
have my permission to
do so. I doubt that I would be an acceptable substitute."
He listened to Liam's amused laughter for a moment. He had been briefly
confused by his
spouse's amusement and then slightly offput by the words he had uttered.
It is true—I
doubt he would be at ease moving in such a manner with a Taelon.
"Sorry, sorry," Liam finally blurted. "Weird mental image. Sorry..."
"I do not take offense," Da'an replied calmly. He laced his fingers together
over his lap,
resting his shoulders against the back of the chair. "If I may venture
to ask, what did you
speak to Ms. Palmer about?"
Liam shrugged, waving away the autopilot and catching the holographic controls
over the
palms of his hands. Da'an saw a brief glimpse of a digital timer embedded
in the
controls—they were only a few minutes from the Embassy.
His tone was casual and a little tired. "An extension of the chew-out this
morning. My brain
was a little energy-fried, but I definitely heard something about trust,
keeping my priorities
in check, and a stern warning not to let you have too much fun with my
brain. She also
wanted me to have a checkup to reassure her that you haven't been influencing
me."
"I," Da'an said with cold dignity, "have never influenced mates into joining
with me. It is a
point of principle."
"I know that. You know that. She doesn't," Liam said, sounding vaguely
amused by Renee
Palmer's worries. "So I'll have a checkup just to make her happy."
The Washington Embassy had appeared before them, blooming ever skyward
like the great
blue-green plants of the Taelon homeworld from which it came. The only
jarring note was
the stone monuments that surrounded it.
Liam landed the shuttle on its pad somewhat clumsily—his tiredness was
starting to show.
Da'an shifting, feeling faint fatigue from the past day.
I will retire and think back on the past few days. There is much to consider...
I only hope
that Ta'ir and Ra'im will, if they seek me through the Commonality, not
expect any more of
me.
Da'an sighed as his protector commented, "I'll see you tonight, Da'an."
Liam stood up stiffly
at the front of the shuttle and smiled back at his spouse, swaying slightly
as he slipped out.
"Taelon energy only keeps me awake so long..."
Da'an bid Liam farewell, watching the young man wander through the virtual
glass barrier
and vanish into the twisting blue corridors beyond the office. Then the
Taelon slowly rose,
determined to spend at least a few uninterrupted hours in the energy stream.
***********
The soft voice murmured as he moved through the room, glimmers of blue-white
rippling over
his slim form. His hands touched the walls, the thin supports that hung
over him, interspersed
with quiet lines like a sad song, something that did not match his current
mood.
"I would that we were, my beloved, white birds on the foam of the sea!
We tire of the flame of the meteor, before it can fade and flee;
And the flame of the blue star of twilight, hung low on the rim of the
sky,
Has awaked in our hearts, my beloved, a sadness that may not die..."
Birds were free. They flew where they willed, unbound by any.
As am I, for the moment. I bump into regulations and rules that the Commonality
upholds,
and it makes my freedoms all the sweeter! I must admit, I do anticipate
enjoying the future
levels of my relationship with my spouse. The fact that we do not doing
so illicitly, so long as
I do not share my hidden thoughts with him, makes it even more enjoyable.
He had not felt such things for centuries. He moved quickly up the winding
ramp that clung to
the sides of the enormous office, blushing faintly blue as he reached the
top. A flitting speck of
black moved through the rather dingy-looking gray streets, zigzagging past
silent construction
machinery, and vanished.
He sighed, allowing his facade to half-drop. This often seemed to be sufficient
for humans who
knew of the shell-like nature of the facades—they glimpsed the pale skin,
transparent to allow
his thin pathways to establish their presence.
He allowed his slender arms to fan backwards, his fingers uncurling back
from his palms, then
snap forward across his torso, as if he were hugging himself. He frowned
slightly as his
sensitive fingers pressed themselves across his waist, the rough fabric
grazing his fingertips.
Why did we choose such a garment as part of our facades? Why not something
smoother? It
feels like... like burlap. What humans call burlap, sacking, rough and
coarse and not at all
appealing.
He let his hands drop and began walking down the ramp. His mind wandered.
He was tired by
the past few days and by the sudden changes again.
Da'an breathed deeply. He felt little of the dread that had filled him
before, fear that Sandoval
would walk in and brandish a vial of kryss. A part of him, buried deep
within his soul, cried in
terror that Sandoval would approach him again. But fear had, for the moment,
fled him...
The chair was cool and smooth under him as he slid onto it, the energy
stream activating as
tiny sensors embedded in the chair calculated his energy levels, and activated
to the higher
levels.
He smiled slightly as his eyes closed. He still recalled the unfortunate
day when he had been
awoken by a loud cry near him, and had found Liam kneeling on the floor,
his boyish face
twisted, his hand burned and bloodied.
"I feel really stupid," Liam had informed him later, his hand encased by
a thin glove of Taelon
construct, stimulating his epidermal cells. "But then, I was stupid. Very,
very dumb."
He had not been stupid. After all, Da'an, a far more fragile creature than
Liam was, spent
hours in the energy stream every day. Liam's father had been a creature
of light and energy,
like a Taelon.
Da'an allowed himself to slip into the vast sea of the Commonality, where
other Taelons swam
alongside him in the streams of invisible, untraceable energy...
Da'an remained, for a time, suspended between the many paths of the Commonality,
allowing
his mind to be lulled into the Commonality like that of a mere infant.
The echoes of dreams followed him. Taelons' minds did not spin inaccurate,
fanciful dreams as
humans did. Rather, their dreams reflected on their thoughts and dreams
of the past day,
rebounded from the Commonality.
He only wished he could show Liam all of this. But Liam knew neither how
to navigate the
Commonality or how to deal with the stresses of having so many minds mingling
and dancing
in the borders of his. He might go mad.
****
I am going to die. Worse, I'm gonna die in the Flat Planet.
Liam could feel his legs buckling as he walked unsteadily through the Flat
Planet Cafe. Noises,
lights, sounds, laughter blended together into a headache-inducing blob.
He hated lunch hour.
As he half-staggered up the spiral staircase, he wriggled halfway out of
his leather jacket and
let it fall to the floor. As he sat on his futon and picked at his shoelaces,
he whispered, "Vena?"
The hologram appeared in a flash of white light, still dressed as Holly
Golightly. Her eyes
narrowed over the large sunglasses. "Yes, Major?"
One shoe off. The other lace was in knots. "Vena, please wriggle into security
monitors at the
Embassy. If Ronald Sandoval comes in, I want a level five alarm set off
six inches from my
head."
Vena cocked her head to the side, mimicking displeasure. "The previous
time I gave off a
level five alarm, you threatened to delete me."
"That was oversleeping, not a life-or-death matter." The knots finally
came apart, and Liam
pulled the flannel shirt over his head. "Oh, and alter my Taelon personnel
file. I am no longer
single."
He rolled onto his stomach and crept across the hard bed, falling face-down
and listening to
the series of beeps that Vena gave off.
"Done."
"G'night, Vena."
"Good afternoon, Major."
