Gameboard of the Gods (Age of X, #1)(78)

Justin straightened up and said to Mae, “Let’s go.”

“Wait,” said Geraki. He studied Justin for several more heavy seconds. “I don’t know where Callista and Nadia are. They cut themselves off from everyone. I do know, however, that they talked a lot about enlightening those who still believed. Nadia especially talked about returning to the devout. She seemed to have some place in mind.”

“That you don’t know,” said Justin, again scrutinizing Geraki for the truth. Yet, one word had stood out: “returning.”

Geraki smiled. “I don’t really know any of this. It’s all speculation, seeing as I have nothing to do with such groups.”

“Of course.” Justin turned to Mae again. “Now we’re going.”

She wouldn’t move from her position until Justin was out of the room. A few moments later, she joined him out in the hall, and as the door closed, Justin saw Geraki still smiling. “Don’t forget what I said, Dr. March.”

Mae didn’t relax until they were on the subway, and although she tried to hide it, her hands shook. She’d perceived Geraki as enough of a threat to wind up into fight-or-flight mode.

“You weren’t kidding about him,” she said. “You think he’ll break the restraining order?”

Justin thought about it for several seconds. “No, actually. I don’t know why I think that. Just a gut instinct.”

“Does your gut have any insight about the rest of what he said? Does he know something about the murders?”

“No. That caught him off guard, and it showed. He was telling us all he knew about where Callista and Nadia went.” Justin leaned his head against the subway’s window. “Someplace where people still believe. Where would that be?”

“Nowhere in the RUNA,” said Mae.

Justin was in the middle of yawning as she spoke, and her words jolted him awake. He took out his ego and told it, “Bring up Nadia Menari’s bio.” When it appeared, it took him only a second to find what he needed. Exhaling, he put the ego away and settled back into the seat.

“What is it?” asked Mae.

“I think my ‘brother’ may have come through for us after all.”





[page]CHAPTER 18





A CHURCH WITHOUT A GOD





As Tessa’s first week of school went on, she surprised herself with how quickly she adapted to the schedule and technology, even though she still had trouble with some of the content. When she’d told Cynthia about the Spanish class, Cynthia had been furious and marched into the principal’s office for an unannounced meeting. Tessa wasn’t entirely sure what was said, but afterward, she’d been offered a choice between several artistic electives. She’d ended up choosing one on video and film. The constant media on the stream and the almost exhibitionist style of this society continued to fascinate her, especially after living in such a cloistered way.

The impact of Poppy’s friendship soon became apparent. Her endorsement of Tessa provided access to a larger social circle of people who stood up for her against those who were far less accepting. Even if she was still learning the intricacies of Gemman school life, Tessa immediately picked up on the fact that Poppy’s friends weren’t exactly model companions. Half of them seemed to be in detention at any given time. Still, they never asked Tessa to do anything she was uncomfortable with, and underneath their rebellious exteriors, they were genuinely nice people.

One day, Poppy even provided help with a matter she’d clearly never expected to deal with.

“Have you ever been to a Church of Humanity service?” Tessa asked. They were in their last-period science class, and despite her flippant attitude, Poppy excelled at the subject. She always finished early, which meant Tessa also finished early.

Poppy glanced up from her reader, where she’d been looking at pictures of an actor she adored. “Sure. My parents make me go on holidays.”

“I want to see a service.”

Poppy snorted. “Why? It’s boring as hell. And you can watch one on the stream.”

Tessa already had but still wanted to experience it in person. Watching wasn’t the same as feeling, and she needed to understand the concept of a church without a god. She missed the church services her family had regularly attended, and even though she knew there were Christian variants in the RUNA, she also knew that someone in a servitor’s household participating in anything other than the state’s sanctioned “religion” would draw attention.

“I just want to,” said Tessa. “Would you go with me?”

“Hell no. No offense. You’d know I’d do just about anything for you, Tess, but I’ve got to draw the line at lectures on morality.”

“Okay.” Tessa tried to hide her disappointment but must have failed, because Poppy sighed heavily.

“Damn it, don’t look like that. It breaks my heart.” Poppy peered around and focused on a boy with curly dark hair, who was leaning over his assignment. “Yo, Dennis,” she called. “Come here.”

He looked surprised but walked over to their table. “Hey,” he said.

Poppy nodded toward Tessa. “Will you take her to church one of these days?” To Tessa, she explained, “Dennis comes from a nice, well-behaved family. Well, aside from Rhea.”