Rivers of Orion by Dana Kelly (a court of thorns and roses ebook free .TXT) 📕

She sensed him creeping toward her elbow. Fighting back the pain, Eleski swapped her forearm’s biological mass for technological bulk, but it only slowed the Grey Cardinal’s advance. Crying out, she formed a heated blade along her other forearm and struck her elbow. Sparks showered around her. She struck again, leaving her ruined forearm hanging by a few hoses. It swung back and forth as she stumbled away. Reverting to her true form, she gritted her teeth as she gripped her forearm and pulled it free. Dizziness gnawed at her mind as she propped her severed limb between her knees. She connected the ripped tubes to her dead wrist and clamped them in place. The makeshift circuit dropped to the ground, and she fell onto her back. Glowing fluids spurted from her stump.

Eridani cast off Katsinki’s apparatus and dashed across the debris field. Eleski’s severed forearm bulged along its length, rocking to one side and back again. Revulsed, Eridani kicked it away and knelt beside Eleski. “Your arm! Oh my god, Eleski, your poor arm!”

Katsinki knelt on the other side and set to bandaging the stump.

“It was necessary, Captain,” muttered Eleski.

“Are you going to be okay?” whispered Eridani.

Eleski nodded, and she swallowed with some effort. “The Grey Cardinal is contained. He no longer poses any threat.”

“Are you sure?” asked Eridani.

“I am certain,” said Eleski. “How is Gretchen?”

“She breathes steadily, and her mask functions,” said Katsinki. He placed his hand upon Eleski’s shoulder and nodded at Eridani. “I sense your concern, but I assure you Eleski’s mind is her own, Captain.”

Eridani grinned. “Eleski, you’re amazing! How did you know that would work?”

“His binary state is fluid,” said Eleski. “The moment he was within me, I sensed he requires a host mind to return to his primary state. Flowing through an endless loop, he will be trapped forever within my dismembered forearm.”

Eridani laughed, and she coughed. Grinning, she gazed into Eleski’s eyes. “I could kiss you!”

“While I would welcome it…” said Eleski.

“Yes?” asked Eridani, and she cleared her throat.

Eleski smiled. “You should put on a mask before you lose consciousness.”

“You’re right,” said Eridani, and she hurried inside the shuttle. Emerging a moment later wearing a rebreather, she helped Eleski up and assisted her inside as Katsinki roused Gretchen. Carefully, he helped her to stand, and she stumbled. Together, they entered the Starwind.

“Almost forgot,” said Eridani, and she hurried back out to the collect the data drives. As soon as she had returned, Gretchen retracted the cargo ramp and sealed the hold. They all gathered in the cockpit.

“How much do you remember?” asked Katsinki.

“All of it,” said Gretchen, and she removed her mask. She rubbed her eyes and her temples. “They jumped me in the back room. All three of them, and Roscoe was carrying that disgusting little man inside of him. As soon as they pinned me, he oozed in and took over my mind. I was trapped in my own body.”

Katsinki leaned forward. “Do you remember what I am?”

“Of course, I do. You’re a perfectly normal human man.” She glanced at Eleski who remained in her true form. “I have no idea who that is, though.”

“That is unfortunate,” said Katsinki. “The two of you are very good friends.”

Gretchen laughed and nudged him. “I’m joking! You’re both denshi-tengus, and your sister’s the best body impersonator I’ve ever met. Hi, Eleski!”

“Hi, Gretchen.” She sat on the deck and cradled her stump. “If the Grey Cardinal had complete control of your mind, why did he believe we were human?”

“He never had complete control,” said Gretchen. “I’m a certified eighth-degree Mind Vault artist. I knew the only chance I had at freedom lay with you guys, so I locked away as much as I could before he settled in. Thanks for getting him out of me, by the way. You’re hardcore, Eleski. Don’t worry, I’ll spring for a new forearm.”

“Only if it is Spyri brand,” said Eleski, and she winked.

Gretchen whistled and shook her head. “Hey, I ain’t made of money!”

“Captain, I’m sorry to interrupt,” said Grostonk over the ship’s comm. “I’m getting some troubling surface readings. You guys are parked on top of a major sinkhole that’s just started to form. Unless you feel like digging your way out, I suggest you get airborne.”

Eridani removed her mask. “We’re on our way. Myeong, if you please.”

“Aye-aye, Captain,” said Gretchen, and she powered up the Starwind.

Clutching the drives to her chest, Eridani exited the cockpit and secured herself in the cargo hold. Katsinki guided Eleski to sit next to her, and he took the seat across from them. Thrusters roared to life, and the shuttle lifted off. As she passed through the clouds, the ruined campus collapsed into the earth, pulling everything nearby down with it. Eleski’s severed forearm glinted for a moment before vanishing under a mountain of junk.

◆◆◆

The air conditioning hummed quietly within Imperium’s sick bay. Across the room, old cartoons played mutely on a wall-mounted television, and Katsinki quietly moaned as he drifted in and out of consciousness. With her right hand in a sling, Eridani stood at Eleski’s bedside.

“We are in need of a medical officer,” said Eleski. Her forearm prosthetic resembled a giant stapler. “It will take days for me to build enough pathways to utilize this device.”

“I’ll see if I can work some magic with the budget,” said Eridani. She slipped her fingers into Eleski’s good hand.

Eleski retreated. “I would take my human form were I able, but I am maimed and unable to reconfigure in any way until I have healed. You must find me hideous in this state, and I am sorry you are forced to witness it every time you behold me. Close your eyes if you must. I will not take offense.”

“Eleski, you’re beautiful,” said Eridani, and tears welled in her eyes.

“Then why do you weep at the sight of me?”

Eridani sniffed and shook her head. “No, I’m sad because you’re afraid I won’t like you the way you are. Eleski, you are