Guardian Blood by Nicholas Hoy

Author:Nicholas Hoy [Hoy, Nicholas]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

Em perched on a huge chunk of ancient rubble, impatiently peering across the gloomy station to the seemingly unconscious Data Mage. Joe nodded off just after Reed began the retrieval process, and Kayman and the two society women were fast asleep, as well. She had no idea what time it was as she rolled a single, smooth stone from one open palm to the other. Back and forth as Em dwelled upon the wicked lies told to the world for centuries. She was still having difficulty comprehending the source of Tech Hearts, as well as the untold lives lost—or taken, rather—in the pursuit of a prosperous society.

Her hand closed around the stone, forming a white-knuckled fist. Growing impatient, but helpless to do anything, she hurled the rock at Kayman’s head. She figured complaining to her friend was the next best thing. With a grunt, a heavy hand began rubbing where the stone had bounced off his skull. Em shushed him as he opened his mouth to protest, then waved him over.

“Was that really necessary?” Kayman asked in an irritated whisper, joining her out of ear-shot of the others.

Maybe I’m being too hard on Kayman, she thought. It’s not like any of this is his fault. If anything, Em’s behavior had brought Winston down on him. She felt horrible about that, too. After all, it was Em who’d talked her childhood companion into walking away from Winston after he’d already worked his way up to lieutenant. She knew if her friend stayed in that life, killing for Winston, he’d lose his soul.

“Sorry,” Em muttered, slugging him in the arm. A second later she asked, “Do you think that girl’s coming back?”

Kayman’s brow furrowed, “Of course she’s coming back, Em. You gotta learn to trust people more often.”

She shrugged, knowing he was right. It was in the girl’s best interest to come back. Em nodded and glanced across to Tegan, “Plus, I think she’s got a thing for the Data Mage’s big sister, over there.” Kayman grunted his agreement.

“What’s up, Em?” He always knew when she needed to talk.

She leaned back against the wall, “Kids, Kayman,” she said in almost a whisper. “Millions of fucking unborn kids every year.” Her mind momentarily drifted to all the friends who had wept in her arms after the scans had gutted them.

“It’s unspeakable,” he offered in response.

Her thoughts strayed to the countless Humans forced to live and die as slaves each day under Administration rule, “And fucking population control,” she hissed. “Do you believe that shit?” When he didn’t respond, she added, “We share the same blood as Humans, Kayman.” She let a few more seconds of silence pass by, “That means if you and Trin try for kids, someday, you might end up with a Human baby on your hands.” Em spotted the corner of his mouth tug upward, as if she’d just said something funny. “Until the scanners rip it out of her.”

His head snapped down at her, “What the fuck, Em?” Kayman was incredulous.

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