Page 34 of Dark Shaman: Eternal Hope
"The first iteration had flaws," Navuh admitted. "But that's the nature of progress. The next version will be better. More stable. Perhaps even hierarchical, with less enhanced soldiers at the bottom and generals who can connect to the collective but maintain individual will without losing themselves."
Areana suppressed a shudder. Sometimes she forgot how differently they saw the world. To her, the idea of minds merged into a collective was nightmarish. To him, it was just another tool to be perfected and wielded.
"What did Elias say?" She deflected from her own discomfort.
"When he touched the soldier, he was pulled into their shared consciousness briefly. Lesser minds would have been overwhelmed, but he managed to maintain his identity and extract useful information."
"That's remarkable," Areana agreed.
"Indeed. I hope Tamira bears him a child," Navuh said. "The offspring of a female of her intelligence and a man with Elias's gifts would be exceptional. I could use more clever minds in my command structure."
"They seem well suited," she offered, glad to change the subject. "As are Tula and Tony." She glanced at Tula, who was still standing behind them.
"I'm less certain about the potential of their offspring," Navuh said with no regard for Tula's feelings. "Tony is intelligent in his narrow field, but he lacks broader vision."
Behind them, Tula remained perfectly still, but Areana could feel her tension.
"Not everyone can be a general," Areana said mildly. "Or should be."
"True." Navuh stood, offering her his hand. "Come, my mate. It's nearly time for lunch."
Areana packed her embroidery carefully, aware of him watching her.
"You pricked yourself?" He looked at the black ribbon, and as Areana followed his gaze, she noted the slight red smear she hadn't noticed before.
"The needle slipped." She smiled. "I was distracted by my foolish worries."
He took her hand and kissed her fingers. "Your worries aren't foolish. Vigilance is what keeps us safe. But you're protected, Areana. I would burn the world before I let harm come to you."
The declaration should have been romantic. Instead, it chilled her. Because she knew he meant it literally—he would indeed burn the world for her and count the ashes of all that had been consumed a small price to pay.
"I know," she said, and let him lead her back toward the harem.
14
TIM
Tim stared at the television screen without really seeing what was playing. He sat on one end of Hildegard's couch, hyperaware of the careful distance between them—not quite at opposite ends, but far enough apart that there was no chance of accidental contact.
Hildegard sat with her legs tucked under her, a bowl of popcorn balanced on the middle cushion between them, like a buttery barrier. She wore yoga pants and an oversized t-shirt that said, 'Nurses Call the Shots,' her dark hair pulled back in a messy bun. She looked comfortable, relaxed, and entirely at ease with their arrangement.
Which was the problem.
They'd been sharing the house for three weeks now, three weeks of this careful dance of roommates who might be something more but probably weren't. They watched TV together most evenings, went on walks around the village, and shared meals. But he slept in the guest room, she slept in hers, and the space between them might as well have been an ocean.
The doorbell ringing made them both look up.
"That must be Magnus." Hildegard paused the documentary. "He said he might stop by after work."
Tim felt annoyed and slightly embarrassed.
He'd actually texted Magnus earlier, asking if he could come over, but Magnus hadn't replied, and instead, had told Hildegard that he was coming.
Tim would have preferred to do this when she wasn't home.
He needed to talk to someone, and Magnus was probably the closest thing he had to a friend in the village. Well, besides Andrew, but Andrew didn't seem interested in being friends. He had a little girl who was the center of his universe, and he preferred to spend every free moment with her and his wife. Tim couldn't blame him for that. The guy had his priorities straight. Then there was Roni, but he was so busy in the tech lab that he barely had time to eat, let alone entertain an old acquaintance.
Hildegard opened the door, and Magnus's elegant frame filled the doorway. As always, the guy was dressed to the nines.
