Cloud Rebel (R-D #3)(40)

"Where is Gerrett?"

"Entertaining himself in the kitchen. Apparently, he enjoys cooking—and eating. I believe he has devoured two large omelets and a ham steak. He is currently cooking a meal for the others, some of which he may also eat."

"They were starving him," I muttered, closing my eyes. "I could tell when I healed him."

"I believe he is more than grateful that you were his rescuer." Val was smiling when I opened my eyes again.

"How can a mother sell her children?" I asked.

"I have seen many terrible things in my time," Val sighed. "Father helped me compartmentalize them, so they did not interfere with my well-being."

"A blessing and a curse, then," I breathed.

"To some, perhaps. To an immortal, it is self-preservation."

"I see your point."

"I knew you would." He leaned in to kiss me.

"Did Winkler get home all right?" I asked when Val pulled away.

"He did."

"Awesome. Val, I need to talk to you about that."

"I do not have the ability to Change What Was," he said.

"You already knew what I was going to say?"

"I had a good guess," he shrugged.

"I'm supposed to have it," I grumped, turning my head away. "I don't even know where to begin."

"All in good time, my love," he said, turning my face toward him again with a gentle finger on my chin.

"But it's already too late for Nick and Maye," I said, my voice trembling. "I don't want it to be too late for Winkler, too."

"Dearest, are you sure this responsibility is yours?"

"Honey, I couldn't find the records of who was there in the Archives. That spells me—to me. I couldn't find any records of me anywhere else in the Archives, either. So I've popped into the timeline unexpectedly. Unless you have another explanation for it."

I watched as he lowered his eyes, then listened to the deep rumble of his sigh. "I cannot explain it better than that," he admitted after a moment. "Father says the same—that the timeline was changed through use of the drug—another reason to destroy that abomination."

"How soon before Norian Keef comes hunting for those responsible for the deaths of his murderous agents?" I asked.

"Not long, if Belen is correct. I do not doubt his calculations for a moment."

"Honey, I get the idea that those Lyristolyi aren't done with us yet, and the schmucks making clones? They're making it worse. All we need is a pissed-off Norian Keef lion snake to arrive and throw another wrench into the works. Who knows who will come with him? My guess is that whoever it is, they'll only make matters worse."

"The roots of this disaster are spreading, most certainly," Val agreed. "Like those of a poisonous weed."

"And that doesn't even touch on the problem with Rafe. We need him and his talents, but I'm afraid to be near him, now. It's dangerous for both of us."

"I can attempt a stronger compartmentalization, or ask Father to place it, this time."

"Honey, I don't know," I rubbed my forehead. "Besides, we should get back to Canada—Finch is probably driving everybody nuts by now."

"Do you wish to take Gerrett with us when we go?"

"Yeah. I want to make sure he's okay. Will you make sure he understands English? I've only spoken in Alliance common to him—he understands that."

"Of course. I will warn Captain Finch to steer clear of him—unless he wishes to draw your ire."

"Good plan."

"I will transport Rafe, Katya and Sergei to Canada, too, after I call Father for help."

"Great." Just the thought of seeing Rafe again made me feel nauseated and depressed.

"Dearest, do not discount the role he will play in this. He has a part, just as you do."

"I know." I felt like crying.

"Come now—go spend time with Gerrett and the others in the kitchen while I ask Father to help me with Rafe. I will send mindspeech when it is safe to join me in Canada."

"All right."

*

Ilya

I was used to Valegar and—her. What I wasn't prepared for was the scrutiny of Valegar's father, Nefrigar, when he arrived.

Somehow, I understood that he played an important and vital role for the Larentii, but he merely described himself as Chief Archivist for his race.

Perhaps I would learn more about what that meant, someday. For now, he studied me with bright blue eyes that held eons of knowledge and experience in their depths. "I will attempt to compartmentalize the obsession," he said. "Valegar's attempt was made in an effort to only rein in the urge it created. The obsession overwhelmed it, as you know. Therefore, I will make the containment much stronger, this time. Don't worry, you will feel no discomfort."

"I deserve discomfort," I muttered, still feeling angry with myself.

"This is not your fault—never forget that," he said, placing large, blue hands on either side of my head.

"Not her fault, either," I mumbled as Nefrigar applied more pressure.

*

Corinne

When I arrived in the kitchen, I found Bekzi acting as interpreter for Gerrett's mindspeech. They were having a lively conversation, mostly spoken in Russian, with Katya and Sergei's friends.