The Impossible Future: Complete set by Frank Kennedy (mini ebook reader .txt) 📕

to share – with his brother or even his wife. Perhaps he believes he’s protecting us. But I believe something between the two of you is blinding him. I need to know what that is before he makes a disastrous mistake.”

“Valentin, we were friends on first Earth. We grew up together. I had feelings at the time; I think he did, too. But …”

He cut her off. “No, no. If you’re implying this obsession is based in love, you couldn’t be more wrong. James despises you. His hatred of you is unrivaled by his hatred of the Chancellors. He allowed his wife to torture you for months, as long as she didn’t kill you. And trust me, Rayna took enormous pleasure. She will not be pleased to see you here. Samantha, you see why this defies logic. Yes?”

Despite Valentin’s original promise, Sam found herself consumed by anxiety. The miracle of living another day was supplanted by a new level of terror. Why was Valentin so anxious to pursue these questions? Was he trying to corner her before his brother or sister-in-law arrived in the city? James despises you. She will not be pleased to see you here.

“The last two times I saw James, he kissed me. He showed me his light. But his words weren’t kind. Valentin, I have no answers.”

He heaved a sigh. “I had to try. Yes? Then enough of that business. I suppose we’ll know when he’s ready to tell us.

“The official purpose for my visit was to escort you to the evening dine. You’re not familiar with the city, and I thought it best our people see you at my side. Less chance for confusion or hostility. I doubt many know who you are by name, but they’ll all know you aren’t one of us. And my brother insists you be made to fit in.”

“When you say, ‘fit in,’ I sense you refer to the immortals. What about the others?”

“One step at a time. Yes? Fortunately, you won’t have to be concerned about James’s people at the dine. They eat among themselves.” Valentin must have caught her grimace. “We’re still working on a process of civic integration.”

“I don’t understand. The immortals I was with today worship Brother James. I thought you were sharing Hiebimini.”

He pointed to the door. “We are. After a fashion.”

They stepped outside into the dimming light of sunset.

“It’s a beautiful world we have here, Samantha. A paradise.” He pointed off toward the setting sun. “There’s a lake four kilometers southwest. A remarkable stock of fish. The soil here will grow virtually anything, with or without my brother’s touch. There’s wild game, if we choose to hunt it. This is a planet reserved for gods. But for the time being, Samantha, some of us are more like gods than others. Yes?”

Valentin said nothing else as he led her through the city into a great hall where hundreds of immortals – almost all of them child soldiers – offered thunderous exuberance amid a feast grown on their new home world. The celebration threatened to raise her spirits, but Sam couldn’t escape a simple fact: Even among his adoring young warriors, Valentin never so much as forced a smile.

Exogenesis

Albion, Alabama

First Earth

5 years ago

J AMIE SHERIDAN DID NOT FEEL LIKE AN ORPHAN. He was empty, yes, but not so much because Mom and Dad were gone. Jamie always wanted to love them, as he assumed every good son should. Yet he gave no more than they did, unable to remember the last time a Sheridan expressed love. Those three simple words? Not for months, at least. Perhaps he misunderstood. No law said parents had to hug their children, help them with homework, or defend them from accusations of juvenile delinquency. Maybe Tom and Marlena Sheridan called their approach “tough love.”

None of this explained why they were gunned down in the master bedroom, or why it happened while both their sons were gone. Benjamin, kicked out of the house for reasons Jamie didn’t understand, drowning himself in liquor. Jamie, slinking through the dark with Michael to scout the next car they’d swipe for a joy ride.

When the sheriff arrived at the Coopers’ place around five in the morning to deliver the news, Jamie didn’t know how to react. Crying seemed impossible – at least until Ben stumbled in hours later, the smell of liquor strong and certain. Jamie fell into his brother’s arms and dissolved into a blubbering mass. As pathetic a figure as Ben cut, he did from time to time say those three little words. After their shared sobs, the brothers dissolved into their respective corners. Jamie wanted Ben to make this all right, but Ben was already dealing with his own set of burdens. Ben rejected the Coopers’ offer to stay with them temporarily and insisted he needed to prepare the Sheridan house for the living.

Over the next day, Jamie heard nothing beyond a few texts:

Day and time for funeral set. Crime scene released, ready to be cleaned. Hang in there, J.

Emptiness. Michael’s efforts to cheer him up had no effect. The Coopers made “special” meals they knew were Jamie’s favorites. He poked at the food, which any other time would have filled his plate twice over. He didn’t want to cry, didn’t want to talk, didn’t want to ask why. Emptiness.

It was almost noon. He was sitting at a picnic table under a spreading oak in the Coopers’ backyard. And then, like a revelation, he understood why he felt so disconnected. It wasn’t the loss at all.

His future went dark. All paths appeared to be blocked.

“What now?”

Jamie felt a scratching deep inside his mind, followed by the whisper of a woman, as if she were so close, he might feel her breath.

“Your confusion makes you passive,” the woman said. “This is not acceptable. Take