Arrows of Time - Kim Falconer [141]
He was relieved to see her safe, wondering what he could have heard. There had been fear and danger in her voice before, or was it simply his own thoughts bouncing back to him? Now he wasn’t so sure. His confused feelings around her were not easing. Had he crossed the line when he touched her? It felt as if, in that matter, he had had no choice.
There is always a choice.
He heard Kreshkali voice her only rule, but it was a memory, not a direct communication. He glanced her way. She seemed apprehensive somehow, which was strange. He had always known her to unwind in the corridors. This time she was on edge, though imperceptibly so. What was going on? Was he imagining it? He felt Jarrod studying him.
‘Teg, is it?’ Jarrod asked.
‘Aye.’
‘The new apprentice?’
Teg nodded.
‘How’s it going so far?’
Teg felt all eyes on him.
‘Brilliant, thank you.’
He looked directly at Kreshkali, and she grinned. It was a curious expression—detached, diffident. Had he gone too far? If so, there was no obvious way to jump back.
You can never go back.
Again the memory of her words filled his mind. He closed his eyes. He was plummeting into a dark underworld. Something was wrong, but he was falling too fast to recognise it.
EARTH—TIME: FORWARD
CHAPTER 31
‘Working late tonight, Mr Kelly?’
‘When am I not, Nessa?’
Her question was directed to him, but her eyes drifted to Grayson. The other man gave her a smile, which seemed to be what she was after. Everett wished he had cautioned Grayson against engaging with the staff or even making eye contact. If he uttered more than a few words, his accent would be obvious and his other ‘differences’ would surface as well—the last thing they wanted in this crazy venture. They needed to be unremarkable and quick—get in and get out. How they could pull it off was still unclear, but if they attracted attention it’d be impossible, and if they were delayed much longer, the authorities would find them. He’d be questioned, of course, and possibly held responsible for the fires and the disruption. He might even have his memory wiped. How he’d got into this mess a few short months before he graduated, he couldn’t work out. He only knew he felt compelled.
‘I haven’t seen you here before,’ she said to Grayson. She ran her finger along the edge of the monitor screen.
‘Dr Slay’s from Sector Nine,’ Everett said, hoping it would satisfy her.
It didn’t.
‘Are you here for the seminars?’ she asked.
Everett shook his head.
‘Yes,’ Grayson said, smiling wider.
Everett cringed.
Nessa’s face was animated, her lips parting. ‘Will you be speaking, Dr Slay? I didn’t see you on the program, but I’ll be there, you know. I’m a tech-supervisor.’
‘I am speaking, yes.’
Everett tightened his fists. What was this man doing?
‘Oh, you’ll be grand,’ Nessa said. ‘You have a great speaking voice. What’s the topic?’
Everett readied himself to rescue Grayson, but it wasn’t necessary.
‘Cryptocryonics and the reorganisation of ribosome constructs in post-traumatic isolation syndrome.’
‘Oh, excellent. I’ll be listening. Front row.’
‘Thank you.’
She was glowing. ‘Did you hear what happened on the north blocks? A dozen sirens went by not long ago. Something about a fire. It’s on the news,’ she said, as if recounting a joyous event.
‘Didn’t notice,’ Everett said, starting to walk away and pulling Grayson with him.
‘But that’s your building, isn’t it, Mr Kelly? You must have heard something.’
‘There were some explosions,’ Grayson said.
Everett tightened his grip on Grayson’s sleeve and tried to guide him away.
‘Did you see them? What happened? Was it a robbery?’ Nessa asked.
Everett shook