Return to Isis (Isis Series) by Stewart Jean

Author:Stewart, Jean [Stewart, Jean]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780962893865
Publisher: Bella Books
Published: 2010-07-01T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

Two days later, Lilith watched Cimbri cross the tarmac. Even in the scant dawn light, it was obvious that she was moving with a deliberate provocativeness. Lilith looked over at the blonde leaning against the hull of the small ship. She was rummaging through the backpack Lilith had prepared, more intrigued with what they were having for lunch than with Cimbri’s show.

Lilith adjusted her gray warrior’s tunic. She had gained weight since she had last worn it, that was how infrequent her activities away from a desk had become. Every mouthful she ate seemed to take up permanent residence around her middle.

Amelia, on the other hand, didn’t appear to be gaining a pound, despite her seeming obsession with food. Actually, it wasn’t that the young woman ate that much, it was just that she always seemed to be squirreling away something to eat.

Another figure came running across the landing zone. Amelia glanced in that direction and the apple heading toward her mouth was forgotten. The intent brown eyes stayed on the runner until she slowed to a stop in front of her.

Cimbri joined them and also noticed the way Amelia gazed at Whit. “You’re late, Major,” she griped.

Whit smoothed her own gray tunic and gave Cimbri an incredulous look. “I arrived before you.” Seeing Amelia’s smile, Whit flashed one back, then swung up the metal stairway and bounded into the jet.

Cimbri followed, the long, white dress she was wearing flouncing. A white dress on a hike? Lilith thought. Cimbri must have a seduction planned.

Shoving her apple into a deep trouser pocket, Amelia shouldered the knapsack. Lilith noted how well worn and comfortable the dark trousers appeared. And the big, kelly green pullover was familiar. She’s still wearing Whit’s clothes. Lilith suddenly remembered how she herself had once obtained a wondrous comfort from wearing Maat’s clothes. Unsettled by the surge of feeling that accompanied the thought, Lilith began the climb up the steep entrance ramp.

Once inside, Lilith resumed command, asking Whit to pilot and then inviting Amelia to sit beside her near the window. She instructed Whit to take the craft up slowly and hug the shore of the Sound before taking the usual flight path.

Noting Amelia’s puzzled expression, Lilith laughed softly, knowing yet another question was being hatched. Sure enough, Amelia leaned closer and whispered, “Whit knows computers, farming, and she can fly jets, too? How old is she?”

Amused, Lilith whispered back, “She’s thirty, but age has nothing to do with it. Whit has a passion for learning, for mastering new abilities.”

Overhearing them, Cimbri turned and murmured, “She’s a Renaissance woman.” And then Cimbri fixed Whit with a gaze that would have melted a glacier.

Executing the take-off in vertical-mode, Whit was oblivious to all this covert attention. She gradually shifted the power to the jet engines and the aircraft glided forward. Underneath the craft, the city receded, the fishing nets hanging to dry on the Puget Sound beach slid from sight.

Blue water and fir forests swept below them, a visual symphony.

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