Ambrov Keon [Sime~Gen, Book 7] by Jean Lorrah

Author:Jean Lorrah [Lorrah, Jean]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2012-03-19T22:43:39+00:00

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CHAPTER EIGHT

RISA FELT PAIN AND FEAR SURGE IN THE GEN SHE HELD—delicious promise of satisfaction at last. But there was something else—some other promise with the fear—

Her oversensitized nerves made her aware of other fields—Sergi climbing to his feet, his nager numb with despair. Nedd and Litith at the open door, Triffin dimmed by being thrust behind the channel.

Tension filled the small, insulated room.

Something about the Gen she held was familiar. Not possible. Along with the fear was love—

With incredible effort, she forced herself to duoconsciousness, looking at the Gen who promised her life.

Father!

The dark-lashed gray eyes blurred into the eyes of her nightmare father, then back to Morgan Tigue's. Her father was Sime. She held a Gen. Yet she held her father—enticing her back to the life she had known with him. He wanted her to kill—yet if she killed, she killed him!

The nightmare paradox resolved into recognition.

Kreg! As brave as their father, who would have given his life for his children.

Their eyes met. “Risa,” Kreg whispered, “do you want to take transfer from me? I can do it for you.”

But he couldn't. That small trickle of fear running up his spine was enough to kill him. Yet she couldn't let go—she needed that fear. She couldn't survive without it.

Nor could she survive if she killed Kreg.

Only Kreg? The nightmare father's face blended into her brother's, her father's, Triffin's—"I don't want to kill!” she realized on a wave of agony. “Don't let me kill!”

Her hands and tentacles seemed paralyzed. Her efforts to release Kreg wasted even more selyn. “Sergi!” she whimpered, unashamed of her Need of him.

He was there, his field flooded with relief and joy and promise. Her hands moved, laterals fixed themselves—then his familiar lips touched hers, and life poured through her devastated nerves, blissful renewal, and peace at last.

Risa felt as if she had just come through changeover—only better. Kreg was standing by the door, rubbing the bruises on his arms. But it was no time for apologies. The fact that her brother had established as a Gen—was technically adult—truly penetrated for the first time.

“Congratulations, Kreg,” she said.

He flung himself into her arms. “Oh, Risa—congratulations! You made it, Sis! I knew you would!”

Nedd, Litith, and Triffin all hugged her; then Litith cleared everyone out, brought soup and fruit which Risa had no trouble eating, and insisted that she go to sleep.

She woke raring to go. Someone had placed her robe and slippers by the bed. She padded out, flicking a tentacle at the startled Sime at the desk.

It was a cold, clear morning. She inhaled frost and woodsmoke and an eager desire to get on with her life. She ran to the guest house, showered, dressed in woolens and boots—and found Sergi waiting.

He looked as good as she felt, clear-eyed and glowing, cheeks pink with frost.

“You should have waited for one of the channels to check you out of the infirmary,” he said, but there was no real admonition in his voice or field.

"I'm a channel,” Risa replied, “and I declare myself to be in perfect health.

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