Page 30 of Connected
Grimes stiffened and Tenrael went very still. “What do you mean?” Grimes hissed.
“Hey, I didn’t mean to offend or to imply that there’s anything inferior about not being, um,Homo sapiens, but?—”
“Explain what you mean when you say that they felt like me.”
Oh. Keaton realized with some relief that Grimes wasn’t angry, just really, really intrigued. Tenrael was also listening intently.
“There’s a sort of… signature? Wavelength? I don’t have the right term for it. Sorry. But human emotions broadcast at a particular frequency or with a particular shape. Miller’s were somewhat different.” He shuddered at the memory. “I think he used to be human but isn’t any more. Tenrael, yours are also different—alotdifferent—from both humans and Miller.”
“This is logical,” said Tenrael.
“Chief Grimes, you feel similar to humans but not the same. You’re harder to read, for one thing, but also just… different.Like, oh, new wave and punk music. There are lots of similarities but they’re not?—”
Grimes stopped him with an impatient hand gesture. “But this other being?”
“Not at all like a human, but sort of like you. Like you’re a combination of them and a human.”
Although Grimes was already very white, he seemed to go even paler. He looked at Tenrael. “Do you know what this means?”
“No, Master. We should have the Bureau staff research it. Perhaps Agent Afolabi can find more information.”
It looked very much as if Grimes wanted to jump off the couch and pursue this line of action, but with visible effort he managed to control himself. “We’ll need a full debriefing from both of you after Agent Clark wakes up. You should get some rest too.”
As if by magic, Keaton remembered how completely exhausted he was. He’d been up for almost twenty-four action-packed hours. And he wasn’t a kid anymore. He stood and stretched. “The only motel in town is a dump, plus I think those wings might raise some questions. If you guys need some sleep, how about you use my guesthouse?” Owen didn’t currently need it.
Tenrael stood and gave a shallow bow. “Thank you. Please fetch us when Agent Clark is ready.” He gently urged Grimes to his feet and ushered him out the front door.
Which left Keaton alone, filthy, dog-tired, and still somewhat confused. But he was alive, and so was Owen. And for the first time in forever, a little optimism fluttered in Keaton’s chest. Maybe the future held promise.
It was a relief to feel hope. Even better, he had the sense that the more hope he felt, the more benefit he was giving to theworld. It was that balance thing that Owen had told him about. Keaton was doing his part to help tip the balance toward good.
CHAPTER 14
Owen awoke and initially tensed in confusion, not knowing where he was. He immediately registered every ache and pain in his abused body, and incongruously, felt hungry.
Keaton lay beside him, bed-headed and smiling. “I’m starving too,” he said. “I can make us something to eat.”
“You’re beautiful.” A non sequitur, but it had to be said.
“I’m still filthy even after a shower. My hair’s a mess. I?—”
“You’re beautiful.”
Keaton continued smiling, but now his eyes gleamed. “You mean that.”
“I do.”
“You were amazing yesterday.” Keaton touched one of the places on Owen’s face that he hoped didn’t hurt.
“Iwas? I was amazingly stupid. Got caught like an idiot, and if you hadn’t been crazy enough to show up?—”
Keaton leaned in and interrupted him with a gentle kiss. “You were in a terrible situation, but you didn’t give in to his torture and you kept your cool. You kept that bastard talking, which bought us time, and you came up with the idea that Ilatched onto to save us. When I needed your help, you were right there; I didn’t even have to explain.”
“Okay,” Owen admitted. “We’re both heroes.” He gently urged Keaton’s head down for another kiss. It was less gentle.
“You’re going to hurt yourself. Your face?—”
“I don’t care.” He did his best to project his not-caring really hard so that Keaton would be sure to catch it.
