Dark Matters_ Shadow of Heaven (Book 3) - Christie Golden [89]
But finally, his innate sense of responsibility overcame him. It might be something important, after all, and Harry didn't want to shirk his duty.
He rose, feeling slightly ill in the pit of his stomach. "Heartache" was an accurate term. He thumbed the control and the small screen came to life.
His heart contracted. It was Khala.
"Hello, Harry." She smiled tremulously. How he longed to touch her. "I'm sorry about the informality of this message, but things are pretty hectic right now and I'm not sure how this will all end. I hope to be able to say goodbye to you in person, but... what am I saying?" She threw her arms up in exasperation. "I don't hope to say goodbye at all! Maybe there will be some way that I can stay...."
Her voice trailed off. Oh, Khala, if there had only been a way.
She cleared her throat. "Well, in case I don't get to say goodbye in person, I'm recording this." She laughed a little. Harry loved that laugh. "We might even all be destroyed by Lhiau's dark matter before you get this. Who knows? I never realized just how important it is to fully live every day, every minute."
Her gaze locked with his. "Harry, there is so much we left undone, unsaid. Do you know I never got to hear you play your clarinet for me? I mean really play it, not just a few notes at that disastrous dinner. I so wish I had. I could hold on to that memory too. I want to thank you again for introducing me to this amazing world of art... and food!"
Again she laughed, brightly. "I love to eat now!" She sobered. "You've opened my eyes to so much. You've changed me forever. And I'm hoping that somehow I can find a way to live in my world with those changes, maybe even teach others about what I've discovered. You all kept talking about my world, my universe, as the Shadow universe. Well, to me, you are in the Shadow universe, and mine is the so-called real one. We could be mixing, even now, blending into one another without knowing it, thinking we're so far away when-"
Her voice caught "I want to think of it that way. I want you to imagine that I'm right there, part of you, all the time."
Her image blurred. Kim blinked his eyes angrily.
"I am your shadow, Harry Kim." She was crying now. "I am your shadow, and you are mine. If we believe this, then we will never be without each other. Every time you stand in the light, you'll see me in your shadow, and know that I love you, and will remember you always. Be well, Harry."
She kissed her fingers and pressed them to the screen in front of her. Kim did likewise. Then the screen was dark. He sat for a long moment, then rose with purpose.
"Lights," he called. "Full brightness."
The room suddenly flooded with light. Before Harry lay the dark length of his shadow, its outline crisp and clean in the bright illumination.
Shadow universes, dark matter, unfathomable technologies, enemies who became friends, art, music, food, love. All rolled into one strange, precious ball called life. Despite all the pain and fear and losses and discouragement, he was glad he was living it.
I never realized just how important it is to fully live every day, every minute.
He gazed at his shadow, and remembered Khala.
JANEWAY WAS HAPPILY CURLED UP IN BED, A STEAMING mug of decaffeinated coffee at her side, with a book propped up on her knees. The door chimed.
"Come," she called, wondering who it could be at this late hour.
It was Seven. She had an expression on her face that Janeway couldn't quite interpret. "Please forgive the interruption," she said, "but I thought you might find this of interest. I found it in Dr. R'Mor's quarters."
Janeway felt a pang. Weeks had passed