Vision in Silver(122)

            “They say the eye of the storm is the safest place to be,” Monty said.

            “Is that where we are?” Pete asked. “The eye of the storm?”

            “Maybe. We’re going to be able to feed our families, and that’s not something everyone will be able to say.”

            “You think the Others are responsible for the shortages?”

            “No. And that’s a worry, because if it’s not them . . .”

            “Then it’s us,” Pete finished.

            Monty pushed aside the grim feelings, but he didn’t need to put on a smile for his little girl. The children, and Jester, were sprawled on furniture, sound asleep. Only Theral was still awake, and she gave them a distracted wave before turning her attention back to the Wolf Team movie.

            “Almost over,” Theral whispered.

            Jester jerked upright at the sound of her voice and blinked at Monty and Pete. With a grunt, he scrubbed at his hair and sat back when Theral hissed a warning for him to be quiet before he had a chance to speak.

            So they all stayed quiet.

            Not a human-made movie, Monty thought as he watched the Wolf Team’s successful attack and rescue—and listened to Pete suck in a breath as the Wolves dealt with the bad humans.

            “Are there more of these movies?” Theral asked, turning down the volume as the credits began to roll.

            “A few,” Jester said. “You might have to put your name on a list at Music and Movies since the Wolf Team is very popular. There are books about them too.”

            Nodding, Theral stood and stretched. Then she yawned. “Is Lawrence ready to go home?”

            “I think he forgot you were up here and is looking for you,” Monty said, smiling. He picked up Lizzy, then waited for Pete to pick up Sarah and shake Robert awake enough to have the boy follow him back to the car.

            As they walked outside with the children, Monty glanced toward the summer room. No light, so he couldn’t be sure Simon Wolfgard was still in there. But the Others wouldn’t need a light.

            “Where’s Meg?” he asked.

            “She went up.” Merri Lee tipped her head to indicate Meg’s apartment. “She’s tuckered out. So am I.”

            They piled into the cars they’d left in the visitors’ spaces across the road from the Green Complex. Kowalski and Ruth dropped off Merri Lee and Debany, as well as Monty and Lizzy.

            Bidding them all good night, Monty climbed the stairs and went to the efficiency apartment he was using. He woke Lizzy sufficiently for her to use the toilet and put on pajamas. As he tucked her in, he wondered how long Merri Lee and Debany would stay outside, and if Merri Lee would come in alone.


* * *

            No need for a candle or lamp. The terra indigene saw quite well in the dark.

            “What do you want to do?” Vlad asked quietly.

            “We’ve never concerned ourselves with the human ships that travel on the Great Lakes or what those ships bring to the port here,” Simon replied. “Our supplies from other regions are brought in on earth native or Intuit ships. Humans will notice if we start sniffing around their ships now.”

            “A few of the Sanguinati who live in the Courtyard often hunt around the docks. They might know something they didn’t think would be of interest to Grandfather.”

            “Ask them. But there’s one form of terra indigene who can find out more.”

            “If they’re willing,” Henry said.