The Seer by MacArran Ariel

Author:MacArran, Ariel [MacArran, Ariel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Here Be Dragons
Published: 2014-02-19T00:00:00+00:00

Eighteen

Arissa adjusted the shimmersilk wrap around her shoulders as she looked over the crowd at the Niman embassy. A quieter, more sophisticated group than those at the previous night’s party, a number in attendance tonight seemed to be Niman, with the fine and beautiful bone structure of that world’s inhabitants. The décor inside the embassy was a lovely blend of cool ocean blues and warm coral tones. Even the chandeliers were abstract frosted glass reminiscent of sea creatures; the musicians played on traditional Niman wind flutes filling the air with sweet sound.

The daily practice Jolar insisted on was helping her focus tremendously. Now, even at a crowded party like this, she could dampen her awareness of the emotions around her until they were a background hum instead of an agonizing din. She could concentrate on one person or group and shift her awareness quickly to another at will.

During this afternoon’s practice session the images she gleaned from Jolar’s mind came easier and the experience was far less frightening. He delighted in sharing with her a memory of the sand under his feet, the feel of the warm crystal waters of the Niman ocean around him.

Jolar handed her a glass of sparkle wine.

She took a sip and smiled at the taste. “It’s like a shooting star!”

He laughed, his golden hair catching the light. “Shooting stars don’t leave you with a hangover if you drink too many. You know, usually I hate these things,” Jolar said with a glance around at the formal reception. He gave her a warm smile. “Must be the company.”

She felt beautiful under his soft gaze. “I think this is wonderful.”

“Well,” he said. “If you like this sort of party, I can promise we can go to plenty more of them . . . later.”

Later. When this was finished and she had her ID. He would take her to Nima, and the other worlds, and show her the homeworld that he loved so much, Zartan.

A whole life together.

But right now they had to find Carlea Renn.

She had seen Carlea’s holo but with a change of hairstyle along with the formal attire of the party and in a crowd from her homeworld, she wasn’t going to be easy to pick out.

Wondering if Bruscan had any better luck in finding their quarry, Arissa sought him with her eyes and Seer’s senses. She soon located him talking with the Niman ambassador on the upper galley.

Arissa took another quick sip of the sparkle wine and touched Jolar’s arm. “Bruscan wants to introduce us.”

Jolar’s surprise rippled as he glanced around. “Uh, do we even know—”

“Upper galley.”

Jolar glanced that way and finished off his wine before placing his glass and hers on the tray of a passing waiter.

The Niman ambassador was a portly man with silver hair, his formal high-collared black shirt seemed to be cutting a bit into his neck but he was gracious in his welcome when Bruscan introduced them.

“I spent some time on Apovia in my younger years,” Ambassador Tivan said to her kindly.

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