A Bitch of a Paradox by Andrew Dobell & Michael Anderle

Author:Andrew Dobell & Michael Anderle [Dobell, Andrew & Anderle, Michael]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Amazon: B0819JPQ3J
Published: 2020-04-10T07:00:00+00:00

SERIOUSLY?

Amanda smiled and waved at Lance as she hustled after Bethany Anne, her heels clicking on the polished floor.

“You’re worse than me,” Bethany Anne said as Amanda closed the door to Lance’s office behind her and then adjusted her hip-hugging skirt with her fingers.

“Hmm?” Amanda answered, looking up.

“The heels,” Bethany Anne pointed out. “We’re meant to be blending in.”

Amanda glanced down and clicked her heels together, Wizard of Oz style before she looked up and shrugged.

Bethany Anne shook her head in amusement. “Whatever makes a nun blush, right?”

Amanda gave her an exaggerated wink. “You’re getting it.”

Bethany Anne rolled her eyes and Amanda conjured a hair tie in her hand and pulled her hair back into a harsh ponytail.

“I could add fake glasses.”

“Do you take anything seriously?” Bethany Anne asked.

“Yeah,” Amanda answered as a pair of black-rimmed specs appeared on her nose after a quick pull on the local Essentia. “Do you ever let your hair down and relax a bit?” Amanda waved her hand in the direction of the corridor. “After you.”

“Work hard, play hard,” Bethany Anne told her. “Balance can be a little hard to find during war, but I’ve lived this way for so long I’ve learned not to pass up the moments that matter.”

“I can understand that. I’m not short on enemies either.” She wondered how best to explain the situation back in her own universe, and decided to go for the simplest possible explanation. “The Magi have been fighting a war amongst themselves for millennia, between the Arcadians—the good guys—and the Nomads—the baddies.” Amanda pulled a face at that last word, but it did fit with the explanation.

Bethany Anne snickered. “Baddies?”

Amanda smiled. “They worship creatures called Archons who grant them power and promise them the world.”

“And they all want you dead?”

“Most of them. Unfortunately, due to various circumstances, I’ve become fairly well-known amongst the Magi on Earth, and beyond. Comes with being the subject of a prophecy I guess.” This wasn’t something she typically discussed with people, but Bethany Anne was far enough removed from the events in her own universe, that she didn’t think she needed to worry about giving too much away.

Bethany Anne turned and raised an eyebrow.

Amanda beamed at her, pleased at Bethany Anne’s reaction, and decided to double down. “Oh, yeah. Didn’t you know? I’m the Chosen One! A little bit like Neo, or Anakin, I guess. I’m the Paul Atreides of my universe, except with tits.”

The corner of Bethany Anne’s mouth twitched in amusement. “Okaaay, then.”

Amused at her reaction, she pulled her enthusiasm back a notch. “Yeah, I don’t take it too seriously, either. That kind of thing can really go to your head so, I usually try to just forget about it. So, tell me about this place. Red Rock, is it?”

“That’s its name.”

“Let me guess, it’s big ol’ rock, that’s red.”

Bethany Anne chuckled. “Got it in one. We’re in the Federal House of Arbitration. The sole function of this asteroid is to house the Federation council while they travel between star systems settling legal disputes.

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