Page 14 of The Gathering Storm

Will tapped a stray pebble with the toe of his dress shoe, then kicked it out of his path. The Omega played an important role in Tellowee, as similar places did in other communities where the People lived. It was a gathering spot, neutral territory where differences among families and individuals could be negotiated or ironed out. It also provided a safe haven for every patron to relax and enjoy herself for a few hours, without having to constantly look over her shoulder for coming danger.

Some, like Sigrid, always kept a sharp eye out. Habit or instinct, most likely, or a combination of both. A lax Daughter was a dead Daughter. Each learned that lesson early on, usually the hard way.

Sons were no different. Will jogged up the steps of the building housing Dr. Upton’s office and pulled the outer door open. Male offspring were so rare, they were protected at all costs, including rigorous training in situational survival, martial arts, and the use of common weaponry, no different than their immortal sisters had when they were young.

Once training was completed, the difference in treatment between the two sexes could be stark. Daughters were cut loose and allowed freedoms that, until recently, had been forbidden to cosseted Sons. Only in modern times had Sons been allowed to choose their own mates, work outside the family, or travel on their own. The last hundred years or so of social innovation in the outside world had brought an echo of the same within the People.

Thank the Lady Ki he’d been born now and not back in the good ol’ days when Daughters chained their men and kept them as virtual slaves.

Will stopped in front of Dr. Upton’s office and frowned. It was locked tight, unusual for the time of day. Maybe Robert had had a late lunch or a doctor’s appointment. Will shook his worry off, jotted a quick note, and pinned it to the bulletin board tacked to the wall outside the office. He checked his watch, sighed at the time, then backtracked to his truck. He’d drop by later on in the week, when he had more than a few minutes to spare.

The last of the late lunchers were trickling out of the Omega when Will parked in his reserved spot behind the bar. He slipped in through the employees’ entrance carrying a change of clothes in his workout bag, then headed to his office, nodding polite greetings to the staff he passed.

If he focused, he could get through a chunk of the paperwork his accountant needed in order to file taxes for The Omega’s previous business year.

As soon as he dropped into the chair behind his desk, Casey soared into his office looking like Armageddon was right around the corner. She slumped into a chair across the desk from him, rested her tray on her lap, and twisted her pretty mouth into a frown.

“I forbid it,” she said.

He shuffled through the stack of files on his desk, searching for the printouts of last year’s expenses. “Forbid what?”

“That woman.”

He left off his search and leaned back in his chair. “Which woman would that be?”

“You know the one,” Casey said, her voice a hair shy of a firm snap. “I forbid you from dating her.”

Sigrid. Right.

Will shook his head. “Like you have a say.”

“I’m the Daughter.”

“You’re a runt.” One corner of his mouth curved upward. “How many times did it take you to pass basic firearms training? Four?”

“Three,” she muttered, and scowled. “Why do you have to bring that up every time we argue?”

“Because every time we argue, it’s over you trying to force me to do something I don’t want to do.”

“Mom would—”

Will jabbed a finger at her. “You aren’t Mom.”

“But I’m the—”

“And she and Dad are the only two people who might, maybe, in some small way, have a say in who I date.”

Casey winced. “You’re really going to date her?”

He stifled the impulse to retort, her, who? “We had lunch. She’s dropping by tonight the way she always does. What are you worried about anyway? It’s not like she’s going to claim me or something.”

Sigrid Glyvynsdatter could have any man she wanted without such formalities, more’s the pity.

Casey’s expression morphed into concern. “That’s exactly what I’m worried about. I know how you feel about her.”

“Casey, come on.”

“No, Will, seriously. I know how you feel and I don’t want you to get tangled up with her when she’ll never feel the same way.”

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