Page 38 of The Ruler
“I don’t think…” I started, searching for the best way to say what I needed to say. “…that the promise of a hot Nman will bring her here. The mention of working with an Nman will terrify her. You’re probably the only woman from the Motherlands who think of them that way.”
“I didn’t use to,” she said softly. “But as I said, they grow on you, you know.”
I did know, but I wasn’t ready to admit that.
“Archer thinks he’ll be responsible for the project and if we want to recruit a teacher from the Motherlands, I think she needs to think that she is in charge too. Once they’re both here and have met each other we’ll break the news to them that they’ll have to work together on equal terms.
“Okay, that makes sense.”
“Yes, we can’t risk scaring her away with too much information too soon,” I said, “and I really want this project to succeed.”
Christina was nodding her head with enthusiasm. “Then Kya is the perfect person for it. Her students love her, she’s warm, funny, and wicked smart.”
“That’s wonderful.” My chest was filling with excitement that maybe, just maybe we could actually pull this off. “But we still need the ten children from the Motherlands and a place for them to stay.” I turned my head and looked out the large windows. “Somewhere secluded and safe.”
“Like here,” she said with a wide smile.
“Maybe!” I smiled back at her and turned to go back downstairs. “We should go and talk to Boulder about it.”
“Actually,” Christina stopped me. “I think we should let the men talk for a while. I have a feeling something is troubling them.”
My body stiffened. “Khan has been very irritable lately, but I just figured he’s tired of having me around.”
She shrugged, her eyes flickering and not meeting mine.
“You know something,” I concluded.
Guilt flashed her face. “I’m not really a snoop, but sometimes I hear things in passing or walk in on Boulder having a conversation with someone.”
“Yes?”
She lowered her voice to a whisper. “I know how to access his correspondence.”
“Correspondence?”
“Yes. Yesterday he was writing constantly and when I asked him who he was writing, he said ‘Khan.’ I don’t know why he wouldn’t just record or dictate his messages, except that he doesn’t want me to hear them.”
I tapped my lip, “Hmm… Khan has been writing too.” I suddenly wondered if I had been wrong in assuming he was being standoffish toward me these last days because of the shower incident. Maybe it had little to do with me and involved something else entirely.
“I was ready to help you escape,” Christina whispered, “And if you want, I’m willing to help you look into Khan’s correspondence with Boulder.”
My quick nod was all the encouragement Christina needed, and that made me suspect she was curious herself and just needed an excuse.
“Quite the little hacker, aren’t you?” I teased when she used her wristband to get into Boulder’s private messages.
We both read in silence.
Khan:What’s the status on the assholes from the east coast?
Boulder:Something is brewing. My source says they want to hit now that Magni is down.
Khan:Fuck! When, where? Give me details.
Boulder:Still waiting for more information. Will tell you as soon as I know.
Khan:I should just go myself and slap that fuck-up Edward around until he gets the ludicrous idea out of his sick mind that he can overthrow me. It’s fucking treason, Boulder, and I need proof so we can cut his ugly head off.
Boulder:Make sure to use a dull blade – the creep deserves a painful death.
