Page 44 of Hearts of Stone
Good, fuck him.
Yes, I tell myself,it would be that bad. These stone bats are responsible for my parents’ death. For the loss of our way of life.Though my again-traitorous brain points out that these three particular gargoyles had no personal decisions in the uprising, nor did they personally kill my Mom and Dad.
The holo on the fridge lights up, beeping happily. I freeze, fork halfway to my mouth.
Raquel must have seen my missed call the other day.Please, please, do not let her be calling back a random number.Surely she knows it was me, trying to get a hold of her? My note through Nann should have gotten to her by now.
I don’t keep a holo at home as there is no reasonable explanation for a brewer to have one; it would be suspicious as fuck. But Raquel, and other sector’s leaders have them, and we all must memorize the numbers.
Arch stands and crosses the kitchen, touching the blinking green circle, no bigger than a dessert plate.
“Earl Archibald,” emerges a masculine voice.
Oh thank fuck.
I start to zone out, from relief I assume, but I snap myself out of it, even as I take a crunchy bite of salad.
My eyes stay locked on my plate as I listen.
“There is an uprising near Greenville Base. I am worried that it will spread.”
Arch’s posture changes minutely and I can tell he’s annoyed.
“And this is my concern... why exactly?”
Yup, he’s pissed.
“The Koth chime is out of area on a vacation, making your chime the closest of any rank, aside from the original target chime.”
“I am on break myself, Commander.” Arch’s voice is tense. “I recently took a bride. I will not be responding, nor will any of my chime, to any regional emergencies until our leave for bonding is up.”
He crosses his arms and glares at the holo silently.
A small cough emerges from the screen. “Of course, of course, I understand. Just keeping you apprised of the situation.”
“Good,” Arch says, sounding pleased, “Thank you for the update.” And without waiting he touches the screen, ending the call.
I frown as I chew another bite. An uprising not far from my village? That’s... bad. My stomach turns, thinking of the families in my area with young children.
What predicated this? Is this somehow in response to my escape?
Arch sounded surprised though, not like he had asked for an attack as retribution of my behavior. I feel ill regardless.
Did I cause this?
I place my fork down and swallow hard.
Chapter Thirty-One
Ebenezer
My bride stands behind me, silent, as I adjust the view on the eyepieces of my strongest microscope.
I focus in and step back, smiling. “Look, flower.”
She steps forward, wrapped in that rich plum robe, but face still disturbingly locked down of all emotion.
This could be our omega. Our true center. Not just a stand-in. The fact is truly unbelievable. I had tried to deny it to myself, despite the wonderful scent of her, despite the manner in which she responds to us–even though she hates us. I sigh.
