Oro1 leans over. “What’s all over her face?”
James shakes his head. “Those are freckles. Not a defect. People from my time considered them to be cute.”
“Odd,” Oro1 says.
The woman’s indecision teeters for a long moment.Come on, James mentally urges.
Her dark eyes sweep over him, making him feel inspected. James isn’t sure what she sees. What causes her to take two tentative steps toward them, then suddenly freeze, turn back, and dart out the door.
“Fuck,” James says, running a frustrated hand through his hair as he starts to get up.
Oro1’s hand clamps down on his shoulder, keeping him seated. “Don’t bother. You said she was reluctant in your messages. We don’t want to pursue her. It will only frighten her more. Reach out again next week after she realizes we haven’t sent the authorities after her. Sometimes it takes me a few meetings to establish contact with a client. These reincarnates are probably going to be even more difficult to nail down. Don’t be disheartened.”
James rubs his sweaty palms down his thighs, mentally cursing the failure of the first four meetings with reincarnates they secured.
Oro1’s gaze narrows on their glasses vibrating on the table, then shiftsto James.
“Sorry,” he says, forcing his knee to halt its anxious motion. “Today marks the end of month two. Thirty more days to go. I can practically feel the clock ticking, which would be exciting if it weren’t my life in the balance.”
“We’re close,” Oro1 reassures him.
It’s not like it’s Oro1’s life they’re talking about. Still, James says, “I know. At least Kate’s got month four covered and I’m close to having month five. I’ll rest much easier when we figure out how to implant an identity into the system. It’s not like I can continue paying the lease year after year indefinitely. Won’t GROW notice that someone has kept one of their manupartners for an inordinate amount of time?”
Oro1 nods. “We’ll get you an identity long before that happens.”
James downs the last of his drink. “Agreed. And in case we don’t, I’m going to work on Plan B.”
30 – Viper
K8
December 14, 2390, Day 13.
K8 only agreed to go with them to Holiday Boxing Night because James seemed so excited about the big fight night planned. Apparently they are entering two manupartners, and it is in the Holiday spirit, after all. Her attendance has nothing to do with the fact that she wants to finally meet Sable, the physician he’s beenspending timerunning a business with. She isn’t jealous. It’s only that another two weeks have slipped by and she hasn’t gotten to see him nearly as much as she would prefer. Spending all night with him for Holiday is going to be wonderful.
Her door chimes, alerting her to their first visitors. Just a dab more of blush . . . perfect. When she breezes into the living room, James is emptying several packages out of the smartwaiter, which she’d preferto be doing herself because—well, he’s very particular about the use of funds—and while they’redefinitelyprobably covered—and while he did say she deserved all the things she wanted . . . that does seem like a few more packages than what she purchased.
There’s tension in the set of his shoulders as she turns around.
“James?” she asks, testing.
The door chimes again.
“We can talk about this tomorrow,” he says.
She slips past him, opening the door, grateful for the distraction.
“Happy Holiday, Katie-Cakes!” Jett calls, rushing over to her to pepper her with cheek kisses. “Lessa won’t make it. Morning sickness.”
“It’s not even morning,” K8 says, wondering why her friend hasn’t made a better excuse.
Jett waves a flippant hand through the air. “That’s what I said.” Then he leans in conspiratorially. “It’s been over two months since they turned Yansy in, and I might have heard them telling the woman next door that they’re staying home and activating a ManuMATE as a little Holiday present for themself.”
K8 giggles. That sounds exactly like Lessa.
James approaches. “Speaking of, I wanted to reiterate that I appreciate you leaving Decci at home. I know you would enjoy having . . . it—” James clears his throat, and Jett’s grin illuminates how amusing it is to watch James stumble around for his words. “Having him here with you for Holiday.”
Jett puts a conspiratorial hand on James’s arm. “Believe me, I find this much more amusing.” He nudges K8 in the ribs. “Don’t you agree?”
