An Accidental Goddess by Sinclair Linnea

Author:Sinclair, Linnea [Sinclair, Linnea]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Science Fiction, Fiction, General
ISBN: 0553587994
Publisher: Spectra
Published: 2005-12-27T08:00:00+00:00

Tobias was waiting outside her repair bay when, several hours later, she returned from lunch with Mack. “A moment of your time, My Lady Captain Gillie.”

She waved him inside, but not before first checking to make sure the Serendipity still appeared to be nothing more than a damaged and disreputable starfreighter. She suspected that if Tobias found out what her ship was, he’d steal the crystal section and try to return it to her.

She motioned to a set of servostairs near the doorway. “Sit.”

“I’d feel more comfortable standing, My Lady.”

So she sat. “Izaak’s okay?”

“Wonderful, but I wouldn’t expect otherwise.”

“Then . . . ?” she prompted.

“I’m very concerned over the magefather’s shrine. Renovations are almost completed, as you know. But there’s one thing you may not know, and I don’t mean to impugn your abilities in any way. But the shrine, and its docking bay, will open a few days before our official inspection. And the subsequent dedication ceremonies. For security reasons, identities of attendees—”

“Including Prime Hostess Honora Syrella and her daughter, Roannan Charity,” she said quietly.

“You know. Of course you would. My apologies.”

“I take it you have reasons to believe they might be in jeopardy?”

“Aside from the fact that we’re on the rim of civilized space, have already suffered one attack by a ship believed to be Fav’lhir, and had an inexplicable security-grid failure?” Tobias rocked back slightly on his heels, continued his recitation. “And our magefather is a blatant liar, station security will be flawed by the existence of an unsecured, unmonitored docking bay, and the Fav would have much to gain if they could take control of the Rim Gate—you know about that project as well, I assume?”

“I do. And that the head of that project, Doctor Mikail Pennarton, is also on your guest list.”

“He is. And, no, aside from those things, I have no reasons.”

“I’ll do everything in my power to keep your people safe,” she told him softly. “I always have.”

“I have no doubt of that, My Lady. I’m just wondering what else Admiral Mack and I can do to help you.”

“Mack?” She straightened. “You’ve talked to him about me?”

“Only obliquely. I did mention that just because the magefather was a fraud didn’t mean all our meditations were equally invalid.”

Now she understood what Mack had been doing in the temple.

“He still has no knowledge of who you are, I take it?”

“No.”

Tobias nodded. “By Your Will, of course.”

No. Not by her will, she realized, listening to Tobias’s sincere concern. By her selfishness. Her relationship with Mack was more important to her than her relationship, and the safety, of the Khalar. Again, she had to face the fact that neither she nor Simon could stop an incoming fleet.

“Your vigilance is the greatest help right now,” she told him. “If and when I have need of something more concrete, I’ll advise you.”

“I await your command.” He bowed slightly, managed to depart without grabbing her, stumbling into her, or kissing her hand. And without Mack catching him at it.

She hoped it was a good sign.

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