Poseidia (22 page)

“Yeah,”
I winced, afraid of his answer.

“No one knows when they’re going to die. But, we do have
advantages I utilize down here.”

“Because you’re afraid…”

“No, I didn’t say that. If I want to continue this life, I use the fountain and hibernate. Or… I could choose to die of old age, as humans do.”

I felt a
deep pang in my heart at the thought of him dying. “No.”

“I’l
l control it as long as I can.”

A
fter becoming so familiar with loss, I wasn’t reassured to learn of his vulnerability and eventual death. I couldn’t let him risk his own fragile life for something I’d done.

“Where’s Lily?”
My palms became sweaty as I tried to hide the beginnings of a plan to retrieve the knife myself.

“She’s out in the main room, with Lucas, working on something.”

“Can you get her for me?” I needed Roman out of here—he could read my thoughts quicker than anyone. Frantically, I put up a wall and pushed him out of my energy.

“You don’t
enjoy my company anymore?”

Be honest and maybe he won’t probe my thoughts for more information.
“It’s not that. She said after the integration I could get a key to the portals. I want one now.”
If I can convince them to give me one, it would make this so much easier. Stay cool and block your thoughts.

“So you can go find the knife without any backup?”

Damn, he knows.

“I wouldn’t do that.
Only in case something happens with my baby,” I lied, gauging his reaction. Trembling from trying to shelter my intentions, I had no idea if I was successful.

Roman
didn’t reveal a thing. “We’re coming up with a plan to contain this situation. Right now, we all need to lay low and monitor it. He may have done nothing other than to sell the jewels.”

“Please, will you get Lily? I’m a part of
the Connective now. I need a key to the portals. And one of those predator deflectors she mentioned, in case I want to swim outside of the netted dome by myself. You, and everyone else, has one. If they want to trust me, they have to take chances on me.”

Chapter 2
2

R
oman left. I hoped he would do what he promised and talk her into it. While I waited, I practiced erecting a protective wall. If I was going to successfully return, on my own, to recover the knife from David, I would have to be hyper-aware of my thoughts. Mentally, I played with images I thought might offer me some thought protection, but I couldn’t seem to keep a wall intact. Then an idea came to me—a mirrored bubble.

Imagining a large bubble encircling my whole body, I painted the outside with a mirrored surface. My intention was anytime
someone tried to cross a boundary, their own thoughts and energy would bounce back to them. To me, this seemed easier to keep in place than a boring old brick wall. A bubble fit my personality.

Lily
entered. “Roman said you’re requesting a procedure.”

“A procedure? I… requested a key to the porta
ls.” I strengthened the bubble.

Lily was too good at
knowing my thoughts, so I had to make sure I kept the visual intact. The idea of a light switch came to me, and I placed an imaginary one inside the bubble wall. Clearly, I saw on and off written, and I flipped the circuit decisively to on.
Where were all these ideas coming from?

“That’s what I mean. It requires an implant into your brain accessing your neural network. Are you up for that?”
Lily came to the side of the bed and leaned over to feel my forehead.

What? An implant?
The moment I experienced a glimmer of fear, the bubble wavered but remained on.
Focus. No negative emotions.

“I d
on’t know,” I hesitated.
Another procedure, can I do it? I have to if I want to set this right.
“Yes, I’m up for it. In fact, I insist.”

“Ok
ay. You’ll need it to proceed with training, but use it with caution.” Bringing her hand down, she caressed my cheek and tilted her head, studying my face. She squinted her eyes suspiciously, but I smiled, trying to reassure her of innocent intentions.

Don’t show her anything other than what she wants to see.
Me, here—no thoughts of David.

I soaked
in the feeling of the Connective from her touch, closed my eyes, and took a deep, calming breath. “Oh, I will. And… a predator deterrent?” Displaying the saddest puppy dog eyes I could muster, I hoped to influence her decision.

“
A predator deterrent doesn’t require a procedure. It’s a small device carried around your arm.” She picked up my hand, indicating my wrist. The velvety texture of her hands was soft and reassuring.

“Good
, I’ll feel safer when I’m out being rehydrated.”

She
lectured, “I’d recommend staying in the safety of the netted dome.”

“Recommendation noted,” I said, smiling. “Can we do the portal key thing today?”

“If you wish. It doesn’t take long and there’s no recovery.”

I
vigorously nodded my head while biting my lips. To get her off topic then, I asked, “Have you been down to see my baby?”

“Of course
, your child is fine. I’ll get Lucas and we’ll get you prepped.” She left to find Lucas as Roman returned.

“I have to go and meet with the security team. I’ll
inform you of what they conclude,” Roman said, narrowing his eyes suspiciously. “And I hear you’ll be getting a portal key.”

I
checked to be sure my mirrored bubble was still intact. “Yes, I’m finally getting some status around here.”

Roman
intently studied my face. “You already had that, my dear.”

“I don’t think so.”
I gave him the biggest and cheesiest smile I could muster, trying to avert his attention from the change in my thought projection.

“I’ll see you later,” he be
nt over and kissed my forehead.

G
rabbing him around the neck, I pulled him in close, and gave him a real kiss. “You’re not getting off that easy.”

“I never do,” he
mumbled, then left.

The room seemed vacant and eerie without him and my anxiety grew. Before it got too late tonight, I wanted to get out of here and on David’s trail.
Stay calm and centered—focus on the goal.

Lucas
returned with a long-needled syringe.

“What is that?” I asked, cringing
, as my heart sped up.

“This syringe contains the tiny microchip for the portal key. I’ll insert it through your superior orbital surface and implant
the device into your head. It should not be painful,” he explained.

The size of the needle
looked more appropriate for a horse, than my eye; it unnerved me.

“It connects with the prefrontal cortex of your brain,”
Lucas continued. “To use it you must have this on your ear.” He handed me a clip, resembling Roman’s.

I encl
osed it in my fist and grinned.

“Touch it and it will activate the portal opening. To program the coordinates into your chip you need to know where you
are going,” Lucas paused. “You either need to have been to the other side of the portal opening, or have the coordinates downloaded into your brain.”

“
So, I can go to the house in San Francisco?”

“Yes
, although not because of the chip, and I do not advise going alone. When you went with Roman, you did not have the chip, so that location is not currently stored. However, as a fail-safe, all portals when activated, if lacking direction, go back to the last requested destination. The more places you go, the more coordinates will be stored on your microchip, and the more locations you will be able to visit.” He took out a small bottle and inserted the syringe.

“I’m confused,” I
admitted.

“Give it time. It
is not as complicated as I made it sound.” Slowly, he pulled the handle on the syringe back, filling it with some kind of fluid.

I swallowed hard, eyeing the long needle. “Well, then after I have been lots of places, how do I tell it where I want to go?” My voice quivered
, betraying the shakiness I felt.

“You
will see once it is in. When you go to use it, touch the clip,” he pointed down, indicating the small bit of metal in my hand. “A list will appear that only you will see, and you can control selection with your thoughts.”

“I didn’t know it was such high tech,” I said, scared now to have
a microchip put into my head.

“Lie still, I’ll get this in, and we can talk some more if you have
further questions.” Walking to the side of the bed armed with the long needle, he held it up and expelled excess air.

“Ok
ay.” I closed my eyes, trembling.

Lucas put his hands on my face and I felt the needle go behind my eyeball. Before I could gasp or cry out he said, “All done.”

“That’s it?” I blinked, surprised.

“Yes.”

“The integration hurt worse.”

“There i
s nothing to it. Do not lose the clip, because it is specifically programmed for the chip I put in your brain. Keep it somewhere safe, and when you want to use it, attach it here.” He slipped it on the top of my ear lobe for me. It felt no different than wearing an earring.

“What happens if I lose it?”

“In the event of an emergency, I can program a new one for you—I only prefer you not make a habit out of it.”

“I understand. I will
be careful.”

“If you notice anything unusual, please let me know. Any more questions?”

“I’m sure I’ll think of some, but right now, no,” I said, anxious to implement my plan. “Thank you, Lucas.”

“You
are most welcome.”

“Can I go back to my quarters now? I’m feeling much better.” I
glanced at the door, making sure Roman hadn’t returned.

Lucas checked my vitals, and unhooked me from the IV. “You
are free to go—your fever is gone. If any symptoms come back, let me know.”

“I thought no one got sick around here,” I
joked.

“You were dehydrated, not filled with disease,” he
replied with a super-serious tone.

“Well, I feel much better. I want to get back to my own bed
, take a bath, relax, and get some rest,” I lied.

“Give yourself time to adjust
, and avoid anything risky. I have to get back to work.”

As soon as he left the room, I tiptoed to the door. I needed to get out of here before anyone came back. Now, I could track down the knife. Thoughts of visiting my baby fleetingly went through my mind, but Lily would quickly find me and make leaving more difficult. Fearing I wouldn’t have another chance, I sprinted back to my quarters, regaining
my strength with every step.

This mess is my fault—I can’t let anyone else risk their life. Time to own up for my mistakes and set things right.

I need a solid plan to get the knife back.
Finding my locket wasn’t important, but if I came across it, I’d be thrilled.

Remember
—keep the mirror bubble on. Focus.

I hated having to hide, but I didn’t want Lily to worry and send Roman on a rescue mission again. I wanted to do this by myself.

I couldn’t let anyone suffer because of my own stupidity.

Who knows what David’s
up to.

Suspicion had filled his face when he saw my skin
and eyes. I would feel better when I had the knife back in my possession and knew with absolute certainty there was no risk to my people or my baby.

Maybe I’m being paranoid, but look at what happened last time I doubted my own feelings
.

What
’s my plan? Think, think.

I paced
back and forth in front of the glass wall in my quarters, my eyes darting around the city. Humans would destroy this place given the chance. David would enjoy destroying my new life. With trembling hands, I touched the portal key on my ear. Scared to do this on my own and see David again, I had no other choice.

But if I had a
weapon, it might offer some protection. With the beginnings of a plan forming in my head, I left my quarters and sprinted across the city to the weapons training room. At this time of night, I hoped no one would be there.

T
he place was a ghost town and of course, the doors were unlocked.

They’re so trusting.

I searched the weaponry training room’s closet for something I could use. The little knives I trained with the other day lay on the top shelf in plain sight—I could do this. Now, I had to get them back to my quarters, covertly.

Where do I put them?

With no pockets in my dress, I folded them inside my hands and held them close to my body, as if I were cold. Taking the long way back through the gardens, I slowed my pace, avoiding the chance of running into anyone. My heart fluttered, and my hands shook. Breathing deeply, I maintained focus on my new mirrored bubble.

B
ack in my quarters, I stared at the section of wall that had turned into a portal the last time I’d left with Roman. I felt wicked, nothing more than a sneaky thief in the night. But this time I wasn’t escaping, I was going back to make right on a mistake.

Oh heck, if I think too long I’ll lose my nerve
.
I have to go now, before Lily or Roman notices.

Taking a deep breath, I activated the clip.

The same door appeared out of nowhere, and the black velvet tar swirled.
This is so cool.

A tiny screen appeared in my visual field
with a long line of numbers. It resembled a clear computer screen only I could see. As Lucas predicted, there were no saved destinations. I was forced to rely on the fail-safe; that the portal would take me back to San Francisco.

Be brave
.

While I worked up the nerve to walk through, I imagined myself lying in my bed
, sleeping. Then visualized walls around my bedroom. Finally, I pictured myself splitting into two people, leaving an imprint of myself in bed. Unsure if it would work or where the idea had come from, I thought it was worth a try.

The worst that could happen is Lily se
nds Roman after me again, right?