I twist the key, my bike roars to life, and I’m headed down the street before I completely lose my mind. There’s a part of me—a small part not terrified for Rosalie and not pissed off at Lillian—that awakens in anticipation. I miss the amethyst and need the exchange of energy. Most people don’t understand, and that’s how we want it.
I duck my head as I open the throttle, zipping through the city around cars, over sidewalks, and through alleys toward the main center of Hologrid Hub—feeling the energy the closer I get.
Hologrid Hub uses holographic interchanges between users so they can actually engage in experiences at the same time, the same place. Someday soon, we’ll create an interface where people can experience a telepathic bond. We’re not there yet, but I’m determined that my company will get there first.
I ride into the lower garage of Hologrid Hub, past armed guards who don’t shoot me, and park in my old spot. I sprint into the open elevator and hit the down button.
Anticipation fires lightning through my veins. I know exactly where to go, and I descend several miles down in the earth. The door smoothly opens into the power center of Hologrid Hub.
Two armed guards are waiting for me, and I ignore them as I move past them toward a black metal door. I put my hand to a keypad next to it, and it clicks open. I can’t believe my palm print still works. They really did think I was going to die in prison. One of the guards tries to walk inside after me.
“Absolutely not.” I slam the door in his face.
I breathe in. The place smells familiar. It’s sterile and clean, and yet there’s a hint of lilacs on the breeze. Computer hubs line all four walls, while a rough and rugged amethyst stands on a pedestal in the middle. The gem is a darker purple than it should be, and I can feel its exhaustion.
Why most humans have not figured out the power they could have with the exchange of energy with a crystal or a gemstone is beyond me, but it’s not like we shared the news.
I move closer to the beauty and feel power arcing between us. Something inside me settles, relaxes, and opens. The amethyst sparkles and real electricity arcs in the air. I smile and reach for it with both hands.
The second I connect, a jolt rips through me, burning my feet and my ears. I laugh and then close my eyes to force every ounce of energy I have into the large, sparkling, wild gemstone.
I’m not a religious man, but if I were, I might hear angels singing. Instead, all I hear is the hum of the servers and the beeping of machines, and then I’m lost. The energy arcs from me to the gemstone and back, filling me until I lose myself in the exchange of power.
I don’t know how long I’m there. Maybe half an hour, maybe an hour. Finally, my hands drop. I take a step back.
The amethyst is now a bright purple with fire dancing along its edges. Each sharp edge and valley holds its own secrets. I know if I look at my shoulder, I’ll see all the wounds have healed. Yet another secret of these crystals and our power with them.
I step away again. This charge should last at least a couple of weeks. During my imprisonment, I wondered, maybe even feared, that I lost this ability. If anything, my connection is stronger than ever.
The two armed men are waiting for me as I move back into the outer room.
“Now you can take me to my wife.” Hopefully Garik is in place. I could probably break both their necks with very little effort.
Lillian has absolutely no idea what she’s just done.
FORTY
Rosalie
I’m holding a cup full of apple-scented herbal tea in a palatial mansion with a woman I’d like to shoot in the head. She is all class in a pretty pink dress as she drinks delicately. I’d go for her, but the two armed men on either side of the door to this rose-decorated sitting area give me pause. They can shoot me easily.
“How is your tea?” Lillian asks politely.
“I want to punch you in the face,” I respond.
She laughs. “I can see what Alexei adores in you.”
“Well, gosh, I was really hoping for your approval.” Even so, I do eye the tea.
“Drink it,” she orders.
Instinct stills my movements. The woman wants me to drink this way too badly, and I love apple anything. She would’ve discovered that fact by conducting a simple background check into my life. “What is your plan for me?”
“My plan? We’ll wait until Alexei gets here.”
Obviously. “What do you want at that point?”
She lifts a delicate shoulder. “I’m going to have to shoot him.” She giggles, sounding like she’s back in junior high. “I don’t normally like to do the dirty work myself.”
