Soulwalker (32 page)

Maybe her expression said it all, because Asher changed the subject. “I’ve made a few calls, and your first surgery will be in a week.”

“How am I going to pay for this?”

“I called in a favor or two. We should be able to scrape the money together.”

“We?” If Tarris had any doubts about Asher, this put the matter to rest.

“Sure. You’re not going through this alone.”

“I need to get up. My back’s sore from sleeping so long.”

“Is that wise?”

“I’m fine. Honest.” Tarris threw off the blanket and used the overhead handle to pull herself to a seated position. She saw Asher move then stop. “Can you help me with the wheelchair?” She didn’t really need help, but Asher had held herself back the moment before, despite wanting to help.

Asher squinted at her in annoyance. “Don’t patronize me.”

“Well, if you don’t want to help—”

“I didn’t say that.” Asher’s expression softened. “This is going to take some getting used to, isn’t it?”

“It sure is. I’m used to living alone.”

Tarris’s front door alarm rang. She glanced at Asher. “Are we expecting someone?”

“I got a call yesterday. You might want to slip something on.” Asher’s gaze swept over Tarris’s underwear.

As tempting as it was to stay as she was, Tarris maneuvered her chair to the bathroom. Asher followed silently behind her and tossed in her clothes before closing the door. Tarris dressed quickly. She could hear the sound of familiar voices as the door slid open.

“Ah, there you are.”

Darmen and Derille stood in her living room.

“I told you I’m not a trooper anymore.”

“I don’t think I was asking you to be one. Was I, Maken?”

“Not that I recall, sir.”

Tarris looked from Darmen to Derille and back again. “Then why are you here?”

“The Council has a proposition for you.”

“I told you—”

“It’s not a trooper position, believe me,” Darmen said. “We were reviewing the trooper program and came across one division that needs someone to direct it.”

“You’re still running the program?” Tarris asked with incredulity. “I thought you were closing it down.” She cast a suspicious glare at the man she had come to consider as a friend.

“This particular division can’t be closed down without consequences. We need your sensitivity in this area.”

“Sensitivity? Me?” Tarris had never associated that word with herself.

“For this, yes,” Darmen said.

“What can be so important that you need my help?”

“There are children still at the Institute, Tarris. Children who need your guidance and experience.”

“Tarris has her first operation next week,” Asher told them.

“We’re prepared to wait if she agrees to take up the position.”

“It could be a few months before she’s fully functional.”

Tarris frowned. “You make me sound like an android.” The door alarm went off again. “No one visits me, now I’m Miss Popularity.” Asher answered the door.

“Excuse me, ma’am.” An officer of the law stood in the corridor, holding a woman’s arm. “I found this young woman wandering around the concourse. She kept asking for Tarris Waite.”

“That’s me, Officer.” Tarris moved her wheelchair to the door.

“Do you know her?” he asked.

At first glance, Tarris wasn’t sure. Her dark hair and petite size were rather appealing, and something about the woman’s face struck a chord within her.

“Hello, sister.”

Those two words said everything. The hint of familiarity Tarris had experienced now came into vivid relief. “Come in.” She moved her chair aside and allowed the woman to come into her apartment. “Thank you, Officer.”

“Errr, she has my coat,” he said. “I found her
naked
on the concourse.”

“Allow me.” Asher steered the woman to the bathroom. They disappeared inside, and a moment later, Asher emerged and handed the coat back to the officer. Without another word, she walked to the spare bedroom, returned with an armful of clothes, and handed them into the bathroom.

The young officer in the corridor saw Tarris’s visitors and snapped to attention. “Prime! Sir!” He saluted briskly.

“Thank you, Officer. That will be all.” Darmen chuckled as the young man turned on his heel and left, the sound of his retreating footsteps steadily becoming faster.

Tarris raised an eyebrow. “Prime?”

“Only temporarily. I have another job to return to.”

“You mean the one under the tree?”

“Shhh. Everyone thinks I work hard.” Darmen smiled as Tarris relaxed. “I hope you’ll consider my offer.”

“I heard the broadcast concerning your predecessor.” Tarris wanted to find out what Darmen was going to do.

His sad gaze met hers, and he sighed deeply. “My hands are tied in this. His crimes against the State override any feelings I have about the matter.”

“But—”

“No, Tarris. I can’t begin to understand what he thought. As much as it grieves me, he’ll have to stand trial. Besides, I’ll be behind my old desk by the time it comes to that. The next Prime will have to deal with it.”

Tarris glanced at the bathroom door. Speaking of family, could this woman really be her sister? But that was impossible.

Tarris hadn’t given much thought to life after being a trooper. She didn’t have a lot of options, even after getting her mobility back. While the Institute held very few good memories for her, there were kids like her that needed help to cope with who, and what, they were. Could she make a difference? “What’s your policy on these children?”

Darmen thought for a moment. “That’s up to you. We’d like to stop the threat of this ever happening again. We don’t want another Corman in our midst. While we need to integrate them into society, these children have to learn what their limitations and expectations are.”

“Tarris.” Asher’s voice distracted Tarris from the conversation.

“What?” Tarris looked in the direction Asher nodded and caught a glimpse of the young woman as she stepped out from the bathroom. “You called me ‘sister.’”

“Have you forgotten me so soon?” Her low voice resonated through Tarris.

“Rya?” Tarris said it automatically, but the idea was too ludicrous to consider seriously.

“Yes, sister.”

“How… how is it possible?”

“Your sister? Oh my,” Darmen said in surprise.

“The bright light consumed me. What happened next, I don’t know, but here I am.”

“Two days later,” Tarris murmured. “You succeeded, Rya. Corman and the others are blind. Their shadows are gone.”

“Ahh.” Rya smiled.

“It looks like you’ll be needing a bigger place to live,” Darmen said. “The position at the Institute includes a residence big enough for three people.”

Tarris wavered. “You’re making it hard for me to say no.”

“That’s because I don’t want you to say no. Look, you can use the residence now while you have your corrective surgery. Take that time to think about the job.”

The offer was more than generous on Darmen’s part.

“In fact, I think we can help with the costs of the surgery and the rehabilitation, don’t you agree, Maken? After all, Tarris’s predicament was caused by the government.”

As far as Tarris could see, Darmen had covered every possible reason she might use to turn the offer down.

“Thank you, sir,” Asher answered. “Your help is most appreciated.” Tarris glared at her. “What? You would be stubborn enough to say no.”

Asher was right. Tarris’s independent streak badgered her to refuse any help, however innocent it was.

“Now,” Darmen said, “I have things to attend to and you, I’m sure, have a lot to talk about.” He patted Tarris’s shoulder in an almost fatherly fashion.

Asher escorted the two men to the door.

Derille looked back at Tarris. “Well, Tarris, you got your wish.”

Tarris blinked blankly before she focused on him. “I did?”

“Family, Tarris. You now have a family of your own.” He gave her a smile, and the men walked out, leaving the women alone in the apartment.

Tarris sat in her chair and stared at Rya. She searched inside herself for any answering resonance that would confirm that the woman standing in front of her was, indeed, her lost sister. There had been no gut reaction, but the empty hole didn’t feel so cold anymore.

“I don’t understand this,” she said, shaking her head. “How did this happen?”

“The last thing I remember thinking was that I wouldn’t allow them to hurt any innocents. The light was so bright it hurt.”

Tarris listened keenly with interest. “Could your sacrifice have been rewarded?”

“Do you believe that such a thing is possible?” Asher asked. She sat on the bed and listened.

“How do I know? How do you explain this?” Tarris pointed at Rya, whose face showed a mixture of confusion and amusement. “What’s so funny?”

“Nothing. I am… glad… to be alive.”

“You did something no one else could. You stopped the Prime, at least long enough for sanity to prevail.”

“Is that good?”

“The Prime’s blindness gave the rebels the chance to upset Sholter’s plans. Derille rallied the Administrators to the rebels’ side and stopped all work at The Battery. So yes, Rya. Very good. Very good indeed. We’re both very proud of you,” Asher said.

“Proud? This is a good thing?” Despite the question, Tarris saw a glint in Rya’s eye. It seemed her praise had meant something.

“This is going to take some getting used to.” Tarris reached out for her. “Come here.” When Rya was a step away from her wheelchair, Tarris pulled her in for a hug. The contact filled her body with warmth. It was like coming home. “Oh God!” Tarris tightened her grip and drew a groan from her sister.

“Hey! Don’t squash her. You just got her back.” Asher’s voice was full of joy.

“You’re real,” Tarris whispered into Rya’s ear. “You’re really real.”

“I missed you too, sister.” Tarris felt Rya’s strength in her hug.

“I…” Tarris faltered. She could feel the tears and tried not to shed them.

“I know,” Rya whispered.

Asher disappeared into the kitchen alcove.

“What is this liquid in my eyes?” Rya asked.

“That’s tears.” Tarris pulled back to show her own tears. “Sometimes we cry when we’re happy.”

“Is it dangerous?”

Tarris laughed. “Only if you get caught doing it.”

Asher returned with two flasks. She handed one to Tarris and the other to Rya. Rya looked at it in confusion.

“It’s coffee,” Asher said.

“Coffee? What is coffee?”

“I drink it all the time,” Tarris said. “You know that. You’ll have to get used to drinking and eating and bathing and… oh boy. You have a lot to learn.”

“It was easier when I was in you. I only existed.”

“But I wouldn’t change what has happened for anything in the universe.”

“I wouldn’t either, my sister.”

Tarris and Asher watched as Rya took her first tentative sip of coffee. She winced and they laughed. “Swallow before you choke.” Rya made the move awkwardly. They were content to drink in companionable silence for a while.

“How did you defeat them?” Tarris asked.

“It was you, sister. You and Asher. Together. Your love burned bright inside me. I let it out for them to see. They couldn’t stand up to the light and were torn asunder by the shards.”

“Blinded?”

“They won’t return. Their masters suffered the fate of their shadows in light.”

“We saw that. They were blind and helpless.”

“If I get this right,” Tarris said slowly, “you gathered up our love and passion and used it as a weapon. Then you were going to sacrifice yourself to protect the innocents, and now suddenly, you’ve taken an evolutionary leap and become human. Not born human, but materialized as a full-grown woman, no less. Does that about cover it?” Even as Tarris said it, it seemed too improbable.

“That sounds about right,” Asher said. “Except for the twins part at the beginning. Don’t forget that.”

“Hell, why not toss that in? It sounds so unbelievable now, what’s another impossible fact added to the story?” Tarris giggled. She didn’t normally giggle, but the truth of the story was too unbelievable even for her, and she was at the heart of the whole matter.

“Do you think the twin part has a lot to do with it?” Asher asked.

“It has to. That’s what made me different from the others. I was an experiment. How would they know what would happen?”

“That’s highly irresponsible. How could they have such total disregard for life?”

“But that total disregard gave me you… and Rya. Their tinkering with the laws of nature caused a number of extraordinary events that led to their eventual downfall.”

“Of course there’s also the sex,” Asher said.

“Sex?” Tarris could feel a blush coming on.

“Yeah, maybe she’s our love child.”

“Where on earth do you get these ideas?” Their discussion was interrupted by a giggle. Rya laughed. It was a strange sound, but pleasing to hear. “So you think it’s funny, huh?”

“Of course. If I am the child, does that make you my mother?” It may have been an innocent question, but Rya’s smile was anything but that.

“Don’t get cheeky, young lady.” Tarris tried to scold her, but she couldn’t keep up the scowl. “Besides, I am definitely not your mother. Mothers are old.”

Rya and Asher exchanged glances.

“Are you trying to say that I’m old?”

“Battered and worn, maybe,” Asher said, “but not old. Oh no, I’d never call you old.”

Tarris knew Asher’s tongue was firmly planted in her cheek. “Careful, woman. I know where you live.”

“But don’t you see? We gave her the energy to take that next step.” Asher seemed rather proud of her deduction. “She is a child of our spirit… our love… whatever.”

Tarris looked at Rya as Asher spoke. She was dark as Tarris was light, like two opposite sides of one entity split down the middle. Rya’s eyes shone with a rich blue blaze, and her dark hair gleamed in the light of the apartment. She didn’t look identical to Tarris, but something recognizable about the features marked her as family. Was she still dangerous? Possibly. Right now, she was more in a childlike state in her new surroundings. Was she a killer because Tarris made her that way? Probably. Would she kill again? Tarris couldn’t answer that one. Only time would tell.