Rebel Born (Secondborn #3)(85)



“The Fate of Seas Base has an anchor for sure,” Ransom replies. “I’ve seen plans for something I could hardly understand—”

“I know. I found them in your memories. I haven’t told your brother yet. We talked, but I didn’t want to overwhelm him. I want to ease him into what we’re facing.”

“You understand the designs I saw?”

“It’s not that hard. I’d show you telepathically, but I’m afraid of melting your brain.”

Cherno chuckles. “You won’t melt mine.”

“True.” I push the designs from my mind to his. He grunts as the transmission sears his frontal lobe, but the information disseminates. He clutches his head in his hands. “That’s brutal, Roselle.”

“The information, or the process of learning it?” I ask.

“Both,” he grumbles.

“Do you want to help us?” I ask Ransom. Firelight shifts over the side of his face. He nods silently. I reach out and touch his temple with the tip of my finger, where his technician’s implant lies, and upload information onto it. “Before you leave tonight, I’m going to bury this deep so you won’t remember it until the right time.”

“When’s the right time?” Ransom asks.

“We’ll know soon. There’s another matter.”

“What other matter?” Cherno asks.

“The gods . . . They want their powers back. They’ll be more agreeable if they believe we’re working to get equipment to create the neuro-enhancements they need to achieve that goal.”

“Are you going to do that?” Ransom asks.

“Do you want more gods in this world?” I counter.

“No,” Cherno replies with a scowl. “I was worried when I found them powerless—when I thought we needed them—but now I’m delighted they’re weak. They’re not all good.”

“That’s an understatement,” I reply. “It’s only a matter of time before they achieve their goals on their own. We’re going to need their help—at least some of them. Clifton for sure.”

“Do you know how to give him back his powers?” Cherno asks.

“I’m sure I can improve upon the powers Clifton has now,” I confirm, “but whether it will get him back to the level he once was remains to be seen. I’ll approach him soon. For now we keep this to ourselves. We use the excuse of needing equipment to create new implants. Meanwhile, we wait for Crow. He’ll come looking for us.”

“Why’re we waiting for him? Why not be the aggressor?” Cherno asks, rising and pacing before the fire.

“We have to appear weak, and we need misdirection. I want Crow’s focus on other things when I enter Spectrum.”

“You’re going to kick down Spectrum’s door?” Reykin emerges from the shadows. I knew he was there, listening in the darkness, but I’m still not sure why he doesn’t want them to know he was with me.

“Yes, Reykin,” I confirm. “And I’m not going to knock first. I have to teach the other me how to take over her world.”





Chapter 16

Entanglement

The next few weeks are fraught with emotional turmoil.

Clifton knows about Reykin and me, having stumbled upon us that first night, but no one else does. Reykin leaves the decision to disclose our ever-expanding relationship in my hands. He believes it’s my right. His opinion is that we should shout it to the ether and let everyone else deal with the consequences, but I’m much more cautious. I understand what it means. It elevates Reykin to a prime target—for Crow or any of my other enemies, and I do have them. The longer I put off the gods, the more that rift grows. If they want to get to me, it will be through Reykin. He’s my strength, but also my weakness.

Clifton pretends not to know. It’s disconcerting. I need to speak to him about it, but he finds reasons to change the subject whenever we’re alone. Today I plan to corner him. I dress carefully in a lovely summery frock to match the weather Clifton decided on for today.

As I near my bed, I receive a low whistle. “You are so beautiful.” Reykin’s voice is deeper from sleep. “Where are you off to so early?” He’s propped against a slew of pillows, one hand tucked behind his head. The blanket has slipped down, revealing his bare chest.

“I have some things to discuss with Clifton.” I go to Reykin, intending to give him a peck on the cheek before I leave, but he captures me around the waist, hauls me into bed with him, and proceeds to cover my face with kisses. Rogue joins in, licking my face and reducing me to giggles. “Enough, you beasts!” I laugh, playfully pushing them off me and struggling to my feet.

I straighten my hem and back away. Phoenix brings me my strappy heels, and I put them on. “Are you working in the lab today?” I ask Reykin.

“Yes. The simulator’s nearly perfect. Ransom and I are fine-tuning the training terrain.”

“How soon until it’s ready?”

“We’re running a test. After that we should have you view it to see if it aligns with your memories of the Base in the Fate of Seas.”

“I’ll meet you in the lab, then.”

“Stay for breakfast.” He pats the bed next to him. “We can have Phoenix bring it to us here.”

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