Page 90 of A World Enough

I understand. Before you take it, I just want to say, I’m proud of you, Ninti.

Ninti couldn’t even smile at her old friend, because they would be on camera.

And you have been my mentor. I will take your teachings wherever I go. Goodbye and sit with Danu and the First Ones.

Goodbye. Look after Camber, Vorka said.

I will try as always.

She took her chip from Vorka’s ear, and their communication was gone. Ninti would have cried if she could, but that would ruin them all. Abnobians didn’t cry, and if they did as children, it was beaten out of them.

Vorka had small sticky bands on her head, with two probes on each band, on her forehead, on each side, and at the back. Ninti checked on the intensity again, making sure it was at one hundred percent.

She rubbed her face and tried to reclaim that emotionless Abnobian look.

Just when she was going to start the procedure, comms came through for her. “Ninti here.”

“My dear Ninti. Do you have Vorka set up?” Davor said.

“I do, Davor. I was about to start on her.”

“Give me a few minutes and I’ll be with you. Wait until I get there.”

Ninti’s body went into panic. She had planned to put the intensity down while Vorka couldn’t complain. She couldn’t do that now.

In a few minutes Davor came walking through the door.

“As you see, she’s ready for the procedure.”

“I decided that I want to go in, Ninti.”

“You do?” Ninti said. She hoped her voice didn’t give away her panic.

She looked at Vorka, keeping her expression solemn. He could find out everything. That Ninti was secretly part of the rebellion, that Kartog was part of it too, that they were in a loving relationship, which was forbidden by the empire. Everything.

Vorka gave her a slow eye blink. She was sure that her mentor was telling her to calm down. Ninti didn’t know what would be done while Davor was in Vorka’s mind, but she would have to trust her.

“To go in, you just need this strap on your forehead.”

In her mind she was thinking: Dear Danu, dear First Ones, please help us.

Vorka had her eyes closed tightly.

“Is everything ready?” Davor said.

“Yes, I’ll switch it on now, Davor. It should only take a few seconds before you’re drawn into Vorka’s mindscape.”

“Thank you, my dear Ninti. You do always support my plans impeccably well. You’re the best Abnobian I’ve ever known.”

Ninti felt sick.

Ninti moved the controls and turned on the mind scanner, and immediately Vorka screamed.

Brogan and Camber rode the lift up to their penthouse suite with a feeling of nervous awkwardness. They were still holding hands, and they seemed to be getting a tighter hold the further the lift went.

As well as nervousness and excitement, Camber felt anxiety. This was all new to her, being close with someone. Yearning for someone. Everything was a first. She had her first real kiss while they were dancing, and it lit up the world for her. Her lips tingled, her stomach flipped, and her sex started a heavy beat inside.

It was like everyone else in the world disappeared, and it was just them, floating. Just her and her wolf. Until someone bumped into them, and then they were back in the real world.