The Venus Collection by Pamela Sargent

Author:Pamela Sargent
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Open Road Media
Published: 2017-07-27T00:00:00+00:00

THE GUIDE

Seventeen

"You're certain this is what you want," Malik said to Chimene. They were nearing the entrance to Island Two's airship bay; it seemed a little late for her father to be asking her that now.

"Yes," Chimene replied. "Anyway, I can always come back if I change my mind."

"In six months, you can," Malik reminded her, "so I hope you're sure now. You made the request, after all, and Risa will expect you to keep to your commitment."

"I know that." She hugged him; he handed Chimene her duffel. "I'll miss you."

"Well, it won't be that long, and Risa will be happy to have more time with you." Malik kissed her on the forehead. "Send me a message as soon as you can."

"I will."

She walked toward the bay, then turned to wave at Malik one last time before the door closed behind her. Cargo was being taken off one airship; passengers were ascending the ramp to another. "Go to the third airship on your right," a voice from the small screen near the door said as her wristband was scanned. "Departure for the Platform in ten minutes."

She hurried to the line of people and followed them into the airship. The two pilots, both in Ishtar's sash, were already seated by the controls under the large screen in front of the ship; the passengers began to settle themselves in the worn and stained seats. Chimene found a seat near the back, rummaged in her duffel for her pocket screen, then stowed the bag under her seat.

She was the only child aboard. She strapped herself in, then looked down at her screen, pretending to read.

"— Malik Haddad's daughter," a voice near her murmured.

"What a beautiful child. Gets her looks from him, I guess."

A blossom of Astarte — that was what her father called her in Arabic. She liked such compliments, even if Risa often told her that Chimene was not responsible for her appearance and could not consider it an accomplishment.

She stared at her screen. Usually, she did not mind talking with the other passengers, but she had a lot to think about during this trip. She had surprised her father by asking to spend all this time in Oberg, but she had convinced him that she wanted more time with her old friends and her mother's household. She had not told Malik that she was equally anxious to be away from him.

"Sigurd's favorite." She had heard one Linker whisper the words to another. "The Administrator's pet" was another term she had overheard. The Islanders who referred to her father that way seemed amused rather than contemptuous, but their words made her wince. Malik either did not know what some people called him or did not care.

She and Malik had come to Island Two five years ago, when Chimene was six. Her father had unexpectedly been offered a chance to trade places with a teacher there, news that came as a relief to her parents and the entire household.

The long months preceding that offer were not times she wanted to recall.

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