First World(47)

Lallielle chimed in. “On First World we also do not age. Cell regeneration’s an integral part of our world. At birth we’re infused with an activation substrate that prompts the continual regeneration of cells. This kicks in after the age of maturity.”

“I guess that explains why no one has looked over thirty here ...” I paused. “Well, except Quarn.” He had an aged grimness.

“I’m not sure why that would be.” Lallielle looked troubled. “We still die from injuries and illness; there are still some terrible diseases. Plus, there are always those who have lived through too many circles of First World. They will choose to release their energies.”

I stared. “If I’m correctly interpreting your words, I’m going to live forever – providing I don’t suicide or get stabbed in the heart.”

I shook my head, wondering why that news didn’t fill me with joy. “What the hell does a person do for an eternity?”

Josian laughed. “You’re thinking like an Earthling, with their finite lives. Always trying to fit everything in, never knowing when it will all be over.” He winked at Lalli. “All you have to do is find your other half and live happily for eternity, arguing, traveling – and something mmmmm.”

His raised his eyebrows suggestively. Lallielle elbowed him.

I laughed in derision. “Surely you’re kidding? You and Lallielle possibly have a special relationship, but for how long? Even before this negative energy destroyed our limited mental capacity, people on Earth were still lucky to be together five years.”

Brace shook his head, his perfect lips rising in another of his little half-smiles. I wondered when I’d become less mesmerized by his particular brand of masculine beauty, when this crazy chemistry wouldn’t keep knocking me around with its intensity.

“We’ve evolved past that. Our emotions are strong; our capacity for love is much greater than Earthlings’. Of which you are not, Red.” He was referring to my previous statement, I guessed. “Whilst we’re a logical species, when it comes to our mates, it’s for life.” He shrugged. “Although true pairs are much rarer than they used to be.”

I tried to imagine that world. I knew there would still be fights and pain, but apparently no one would be sneaking around with the neighbour to relieve this week’s boredom. Yeah, right. It wasn’t in my nature to believe in perfection.

Brace was still speaking. “If we die, either by choice or accident, that energy’s transferred to a new life, and is the only way to have a child on First World. When you find your true mate, if you wish for a child, you must add your name to the free-energy list. You can also gift or steal energy.”

Lallielle cleared her throat before speaking. “That is how I fell pregnant with Samuel; the man killed his sister. She bled out in front of me.”

My expression was a little horrified. I definitely understood her ‘born of drama’ comment.

And, considering my current mini-obsession with Brace, I wondered ...

“Say I fell madly in love with someone and they didn’t return the feelings. I’ll never let that go? I’ll never love another?”

Lallielle cast a soft glance at Josian. “Don’t worry, Aribella, we exist in perfect balance. For every man there’s a woman’s energy to match. Anything else is infatuation, not love. You will learn the difference with time. But please don’t misunderstand; most of the couples on First World are not true matches. And they will continue to seek, but it’s a lonely life, so many settle for companionship.”

Josian added. “There are a few who let infatuation turn them crazy, and then we have the situation Lallielle was in.”

Josian swung her close, her waist-length hair flying behind. “Walkers carry darkness inside. Millennia of alone is more than most could accept. That is why they choose to sleep or release. We rarely find our mate. Until recently we didn’t know we could mate outside our people. But Lallielle and I prove there’s more connecting our two races – and you, my girl, are the most convincing evidence.”

“Who had to die so I could be born?” I understood the concept of the great circle of life but ... gross.

For the first time, Josian grasped my hand. It was warm and comforting. “No one had to die. I can create my own energy. I can bring life.” He said it so arrogantly.

But simple little Earthlings can create their own life as well. Maybe that was the exchange for having no magic and short ‘finite’ lives.

“So where is my Walker mark you mentioned earlier?” I was positive there wasn’t another mark, spot or mole on my body and that at any point they’d realize they were mistaken and there was nothing exceptional about me.