Transformation Space - Marianne de Pierres [57]
Mira ran to the doorway and peered through in both directions. She glimpsed two figures, one much taller than the other, trying to open a series of locked doors.
‘Thales!’ she called. ‘Fariss!’
O’Dea jerked around, wielding a metal stanchion.
‘Mira.’ Thales’s voice was hoarse and soft. ‘Come.’
She climbed over the fallen guards and hurried to join them.
Fariss levered a door open with her weapon and hustled them inside. While she relocked it from the inside, Thales embraced Mira.
‘The baby,’ he said, stroking Nova’s head. Wonder smoothed the worry from his face, and he looked as young and attractive as the first time she’s seen him.
‘What have you—’
But Mira didn’t let him finish. ‘The man that you spoke of to me … the one who duped you here. Gutnee.’
‘Gutnee Paraburd?’ Thales gripped her arm. ‘What of him?’
‘He’s outside, sitting at the kaffe across from here.’
‘How do you know?’
‘I stopped to ask directions. The kaffe attendant was watching Fariss and another ’esque. The man seemed … familiar. Not someone I knew, but yet I felt as if I did. I asked the attendant who he was. He said his name … I remembered it. I went to tell Fariss, but she’d come down this corridor.’
Thales let go of Mira and turned to Fariss. ‘I must find him. The Sophos will not be able to ignore me if I can show them Paraburd.’
The soldier’s broad expressive face creased with mistrust. ‘You sure, hon? From what I can see, they’re not gonna believe you anyways.’
‘Signorina O’Dea is right, Thales.’
‘Fariss,’ the soldier said to Mira. ‘Not Signorina anything. What’s going on out there? ’Esques everywhere. Heard some things while I was waitin’ around. Seems too busy to be just rumour.’
Mira quickly told them of the Sophos announcement and the broadcast images. ‘I’m going back to Insignia. We believe it is better to leave now.’
‘But you could res-shift straight into trouble,’ said Thales.
‘The Pod will keep us informed, and I don’t wish to be trapped here. I will take my chances. Now Nova has been born, there are things I must try to do. Will you come with me? Unless the shift sphere is disabled, they will come and destroy your world. Your Sophos don’t see the threat as real.’
Thales and Fariss looked at each other, an exchange that held meaning she couldn’t decipher.
‘Then I must make sure that they do,’ said Thales.
Mira saw the strength of his resolution, felt his need to accomplish this.
She nodded. ‘Then I wish you success. A woman who works in the galley at Mount Clement, named Linnea, helped deliver Nova. She says many are unhappy with the Sophos. If you find her, she might lend you support.’
‘What sort of support?’
‘She is Pensare.’
Thales raised both eyebrows. ‘Women’s movement. They’re everywhere. Militant, some of them,’ said Fariss. ‘I thought about joining ’em, then I met Sammy.’
‘Mia sorella is – was Pensare.’
‘Your sister was one? I would find this woman at the clinic?’
Mira shook her head. ‘Don’t go there. They are too curious. Linnea lives in the town below the clinic.’
‘Clementvale?’
Mira nodded. ‘Si, that’s it.’
They stared at each other, and Thales touched Nova’s head again. ‘You have been a true friend, Mira Fedor. I’ll never forget that.’
She nodded. ‘And you, Thales Berniere.’
He leaned forward and gently kissed her cheek. ‘May Villon protect you and Nova.’
‘May Villon protect us all,’ Mira said.
Fariss cracked the door open and looked out into the corridor. ‘Go now and you’ll be unnoticed. They’re looking for Thales and me. Not you.’
Mira didn’t have to ask Fariss what her decision was. The soldier had chosen to come here with Thales, and she would stay with him. Their coupling was unlikely, but their bond seemed strong. She envied them.
As Mira entered the buccal, she felt Insignia quiver. It was only something that an innate could sense, a deep frisson of pleasure and anticipation that played along her skin and resonated in her chest.
Our child, Mira.
‘Si.’ Mira