Playing God(147)

“I am Praeis Shin's daughter. I'll take it.”

Awkwardly, the man pulled a small plastic bag out of his pocket. Inside was some much folded paper. He unsealed the bag and held it out. Theia plucked the paper out, careful not to touch the bag.

“Thank you,” said Theia with as much politeness as she could force into her voice. Now, please go away.

He didn't move. The Human's gaze slid over her and Theia knew he was staring at her mother. “Is that a father?” he asked.

Theia slammed the door in his face.

Mother was still busy with the clothes. Theia sat down heavily in the chair and pulled hard on her own ear.

It wasn't supposed to be like this. She was supposed to be surrounded by her sisters and her cousins. They'd be sitting clustered around Mother, encouraging her, soothing her, singing to the Ancestors for her as her voice faded. They'd take turns visiting the shrine. Some of them would be dickering with those who wanted to bring strong Shin t'Theria souls into their blood families. Res would have been so good at that. It was supposed to be a joyful time, a holy time. Not a time to sit alone and desolate in a back room with cousins stealing in and out to bring food and lay a quick hand on her shoulder, torn between her distress and their own mother's bewildered anger.

“Mother, I'm tired,” Theia said.

Mother did not look up. Her ears didn't even twist around. She lifted up the burgundy sari she'd worn the day they stepped off the shuttle and buried her face in the soft fabric.

“Mother, I miss you.”

Mother snuffled the cloth and Theia felt tears running down her cheeks. She wiped at her eyes and, more to distract herself than anything else, unfolded the letter.

The whole thing had been written in English.

Dear Praeis,

If you are receiving this, you can tell your Queens and their Council that the Getesaph threat overhead has been removed, one way or another. You are safe from that direction now. Completely safe, I can't swear that strongly enough.

The reason I think I can't is because I've now got to tell you I've lied to you.

Theia felt warm breath on her ear and started. Mother had picked herself up from the clothes pile. She still ran the sari through her fingers, but she also leaned over Theia's shoulder, twitching her ears at the letter.

Theia slowly turned her attention back to the words on the page.

I ordered the coagulant that disabled your fleet to be released. I convinced Bioverse we needed to stop your war without you knowing about it and hold the peace long enough to evacuate the planet and salvage the century project.

I thought Bioverse was coming in to save your world. I knew that I was, and most of the people I worked with were. Maybe Bioverse really was. But it was also coming in to get its new bioforms, and it has a contingency plan drawn up, in case your people don't fall into line.

You need to know about this, Praeis, so your people can decide what to do about us. I've enclosed it. I'll swear in front of whoever that this is real.

I still want to save the world, Praeis. I'm just not sure how to do it anymore.

Lynn

Theia lifted the first page, and read the second, more crumpled sheet. She felt her ears flatten against her scalp and her skin rippled in thick waves from her neck to her knees.

Ancestors Mine, Theia lowered the letter. She wanted to throw back her head and howl at the ceiling. Ancestors Mine! What am I supposed to do about this?

“Box,” said Mother suddenly.

Theia jerked around. Her mother retreated to the clothes pile. “Box, box.” Mother pawed through the heap of fabric.

Theia clenched the letter in her fist. “I don't understand, Mother.”

Mother's ears crumpled. “David's box!”

“Here. It's here.” Theia picked up one of the few unplundered satchels and unsealed it. She pulled out the black box of vials and injectors for her mother to see. “Mother, you're into the Change. One more dose won't—”

“All,” Mother said, desperation plain in her thickened voice. “Give me all.”

“Mother, no!” Theia took her shoulders, hoping to soothe her with the touch. “We don't know what that will do to you. Please, let it go. Let me keep you as a father and see your blood and soul go on.”

Her mother stroked her arms, back and forth, back and forth, and Theia was sure her will had surrendered to the journey again. But she looked down at her daughter with liquid eyes. “Please.”

Theia felt every muscle in her body sag. “All right, Mother.”

Theia put the box on the small serving table and undid its catch. The vials glistened in the light from the slit window.

One at a time, Theia picked up the vials and inserted them into the injector. Miraculously, Mother held still while Theia lifted the pipette to her neck forty times.