The Cyborg's Lady by Alix Nichols

Author:Alix Nichols [Nichols, Alix]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-05-02T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Standing as close to the sheer dome as the hotel’s security would let her, Linni admired the night view outside.

Upere’s second moon was uninteresting. Its smooth ice-covered surface offered no peaks, valleys, geysers, or craters to catch the eye. But it was the spectacle on Upere itself that made anyone’s trip to this remote part of Xereill worthwhile. It was the reason the dome and the Ice Moon Hotel had been built on this tide-locked celestial rock in the first place.

A gas giant, Upere delivered the most dramatic, most intense auroras in the galaxy.

Linni took a swig from her glass that the bartender had filled with choice Oiru brandy. A sight like this demanded a celebratory drink.

Against the backdrop of a dark, starry sky was a purple and green aurora illuminating a huge area with shimmering lights. They formed ghostly pillars and glowing, billowing veils that pulsed with impossible colors and eerie beauty.

“It’s been twenty-four hours,” Keiron said from behind her. “Are you allowed to talk now?”

She turned around, smiling. “Yes.”

He smiled back. Dressed in relaxed slacks and a thin, untucked shirt with a tumbler in his hand, he looked sexier than ever.

She raised her glass. “To your health.”

“And to yours.”

They drank.

“Did you really spend the past twenty-four hours in prayer and meditation?” he asked. “No eating, drinking, or talking at all?”

“I drank some water,” she admitted. “Still low on liquid after the bleeding.”

“When I read your note after we got to the spaceship, I thought it was a joke.” Keiron’s expression was puzzled. “It said, ‘I can’t talk to anyone until this time tomorrow. Please leave me alone until then.’ ”

“I’m sorry if it sounded brusque,” she said. “I hadn’t meant it to be.”

He stepped closer. “Apology accepted. Now I need an explanation.”

“It’s just…” She drew a deep breath. “I compelled those cyborgs. Compulsion is an abominable, black hat power that I’d sworn I’d never use on anyone.”

“Even to save your life?”

She nodded.

“But you used it.”

Another nod. “That’s why I needed to be alone and immerse myself in the deepest meditative state I’m capable of. I needed to figure out if my violation could be forgiven.”

“By who?”

“By Aheya. By my mentor.” She spread her arms. “By myself.”

“So, what’s the verdict?”

“It’s yes.” She beamed at him. “That use of compulsion, under those circumstances, can be forgiven.”

“What does that mean, concretely?”

“It means I can carry on with my life and my projects at peace with myself.”

“Good for you.” He raised his tumbler again.

They drank.

He took another step toward her. “And how do you feel about the recklessness you’d displayed on Tastassi? Is it forgivable, too?”

“What are you talking about?”

“When I’d told you we’d better get out, you should’ve listened.” He shook his head. “You could’ve been dead now. Both of us could’ve been dead.”

“But we’re not.”

“They were hive cyborgs, Linni.” His face crinkled in concern. “I wonder if Governor Horbell is aware there are hive cyborgs on his planet, running a very strange youth organization.”

“If he isn’t, the Ittroise government will inform him.

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