Wired Truth by Toby Neal

Author:Toby Neal [Neal, Toby]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Toby Neal

Chapter Twenty-One

Connor: Day Four

Connor had caught up on sleep, then spent a productive afternoon drilling with the men and working on the Master’s business of running the compound. He ended the day meditating, sitting cross-legged atop a six-foot column of tiger’s-eye in the Master’s garden in front of the reflecting pool with its koi and lily pads.

He’d never forget seeing the Master seated in this same spot, completely still and mostly naked, morning light turning the exotic one-foot-diameter stone pillar to fire. The man’s means of getting atop it had been a total mystery to Connor at the time.

There was no mystery now. The means was simple: mastery of timing, matter, and space. The achievement of those things continued to be a challenge for Connor, especially today.

He needed to calm and center himself; nervous at the prospect of seeing Sophie again, even on video. He had to contain all of that energy and focus it on the outcome he wanted: forging a new connection to her.

Connor opened his eyes, checking the angle of the sun. Yes, she would be calling soon. He concentrated, and, riding the wave of chi that rose within him, stood up to set both feet side by side within the narrow diameter of the column. He drew a deep breath, focusing the energy that flowed through his mind and body, standing tall. He visualized his movement through the air and the landing, then flipped his body off the pillar, flexing his knees as his bare feet hit the ground.

He’d done this dismount three times now, a good imitation of that perfect move the Master had seduced him with two years ago. Triumph made him smile. “Next time, a double flip,” he murmured.

Nine approached from the table under the orchid tree and handed Connor his gi. “Shall I bring your evening meal up to the computer room, One?”

“That would be fine, but I have an important phone call. Don’t come until I summon you.”

“As you wish.”

They ascended the stone steps out of the walled garden and parted ways at the entrance to the main pyramid.

Once out of Nine’s sight, Connor bounded quickly up the steep stone staircase to the computer lab in the compound’s highest room. He didn’t want to miss Sophie’s call . . .

Inside the lab, Connor turned on the computer rigs and locked the door by lowering a crude wooden bar into a cradle.

He gazed longingly at his violin in its mount—perhaps he had time for just one piece?

Connor was deep into a Mozart concerto when the monitor dinged with the incoming signal from Sophie.

He exhaled, releasing a held breath, and lowered the violin. He set the instrument in its case, sat down in front of the monitor, and hit the Accept Call button.

Sophie’s face bloomed into focus on the screen. Huge brown eyes, full lips, sculptured cheekbones, that long neck—she was Nefertiti come to life. His heart actually stuttered at the sight of her. “Your hair is longer.”

Sophie touched the mass of ringlets framing her face self-consciously.

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