Arrows of Time - Kim Falconer [132]
‘And then?’
‘We get Rosette out of this place before she’s cannibalised.’
Everett sighed. ‘I told you. She’s been tagged. There’s no way.’
‘I’ll find one.’
‘I don’t see how.’
Grayson felt a finger tickling his spine. ‘I do.’
‘It’s not as easy as that,’ Everett said, grabbing Grayson’s arm and stopping him from pacing. ‘The security system is infallible.’
Grayson felt exhaustion creeping over him. They’d been arguing this point all evening. He looked towards the kitchen, where Canie was curled into a ball, deep in a natural sleep. At least one of them was getting some rest. ‘Nothing’s infallible,’ he said. ‘Nothing.’
‘Then neither is your plan.’
Grayson allowed himself to be guided back to his chair. Their discussion had become heated and he knew that wasn’t going to provide a solution. ‘The system’s in place to stop break-ins,’ Grayson persisted. ‘We’re going to break her out.’
‘In or out, I can’t see how we can get by it.’ Everett rubbed the back of his neck before pouring another drink.
Grayson picked up the hand-held computer screen and scanned the index page. ‘You have a map of the layout?’
‘All students do, but…’
‘Codes?’ Grayson punched in the numbers as Everett said them. They studied the screen together. ‘Are there any legitimate reasons for moving her?’
‘Only to the donor ward, or Labs, not out the front door.’
‘But we can get her out of Cryo and moving?’
‘Rolling a frozen body down the street would attract some attention, even in this disconnected city.’
Grayson looked up, his lip curling in a half smile. He didn’t think Everett had a sense of humour, but his eyes were twinkling now.
‘That’s the word you used for it, isn’t it? Disconnected?’
‘That’s one of them.’ Grayson tapped the edge of the monitor with his forefinger. ‘We need a first-class glamour.’
‘You haven’t used that word before.’
‘Glamour?’
‘What’s it mean?’
‘It’s a bewitchment,’ Grayson said. ‘A charm.’
‘A pendant.’
He shook his head. ‘It’s not literal. A glamour is a manipulation of ambient energy. It displaces the light waves reaching the visual cortex of onlookers so that the thing being looked at appears to be something else.’
‘An illusion?’
‘Close.’
‘Like a holograph?’
‘That’s a reasonable reference, yes.’
‘What generates it?’
‘Consciousness.’
Everett chuckled. ‘You’re in the Dark Ages with that kind of thinking, Grayson. We know consciousness has no such properties. Outside of a concept, it doesn’t exist at all. It can’t affect matter. We disproved that hocus-pocus long ago.’
‘I’m sure you did,’ Grayson said. ‘Nonetheless, we need a glamour. I wish Rosette was here to show you how it’s done. She’d change your mind on that subject lightning quick.’
‘I don’t doubt she could.’ Everett averted his eyes as he spoke.
‘If I can find Kreshkali, we’ll be able to pull it off.’
‘Kreshkali?’
‘Her mother.’
‘She knows who her mother is?’ Everett stood. ‘How’s that possible?’
Grayson shook his head. ‘And you think I’m in the Dark Ages…’
GAELA—TIME: FORWARD
CHAPTER 28
Kreshkali spotted Jarrod the moment she entered the temple. He was flanked by guards, as were she and An’ Lawrence. She could feel the Sword Master’s ire brushing across the back of her neck, making fine hairs stand out from her skin. She hoped he would control his temper. The man was like a powder keg. No doubt Scylla’s absence wasn’t doing anything to calm his nerves. If she could talk to his familiar, she might get her to settle him down.
Teg? She let her thoughts drift up out to the temple valley until they found the Lupin’s mind. She blinked. You’re having a picnic?
Kreshkali? He swallowed quickly. We stumbled on a herd of fat sheep. You were tracking back to Treeon with the guards so we…well, we couldn’t resist.
Kreshkali allowed him to hear her mental chuckle. Good to know you’re getting along. Just make sure the locals don’t see you.
We’re staying hidden, top of the valley. Do you need me?
Kreshkali hesitated. Not yet. How’s Scylla?
Impressed with my hunting skills, I’d say.