Page 37 of Crewel (Crewel World 1)

‘Clearance?’ a pleasant voice prompts from somewhere in the ceiling.

‘Cormac Patton.’

‘Subject?’

‘Lewys Subject Four. Amie?’ He looks to me for confirmation, and I nod.

The abstract pattern draws together and blurs, slowly forming the shape of a young girl. Her back is to us as she walks with another girl along a shady, tree-lined lane.

‘Visual realign. Face recognition,’ Cormac orders.

It’s not necessary. The girl’s hair is pulled up loosely and it curls into soft, golden tendrils at the backs of her ears. I turn from the screen as it flashes an image of Amie, laughing, with her new friend. Happy. My heart cracks along its barely healed lines and falls back to pieces.

‘No harm done,’ he confirms. ‘Do I have a date?’

‘Do I have a choice?’ I manage to ask.

‘Of course,’ he says. ‘Although, choose wisely.’

‘I’ll see you tomorrow,’ I tell him quietly, holding back the tears in my throat. There’s no way he heard me, but he doesn’t ask again. I’m grateful for a knock at the door. I couldn’t handle being with Cormac much longer. Erik ducks into the room and strides over to him.

‘You’re Maela’s assistant?’ Cormac asks smugly, staring at his wild blond hair.

Erik, to his credit, smiles and extends his hand. ‘Erik, sir.’

Cormac stands and shakes his hand. Clapping a hand over his shoulder, he turns Erik to face me. ‘Escort Miss Lewys to her quarters. Oh, and Erik?’

‘Yes, sir?’

‘Keep your hands to yourself.’

‘Of course,’ he agrees, without missing a beat.

Letting go of Erik’s shoulder, Cormac turns back to the corner.

‘Bring my meal here and order my motocarriage for pick-up in an hour,’ he orders Jost.

‘Sir.’ Jost bows and moves across the room to exit. As he passes, he dares a glance at me. Beside me Erik bristles at Jost’s appearance. I hadn’t pegged him for an elitist.

‘Miss Lewys?’ Erik offers me his arm after Jost has passed.

I make it to the hallway before the tears start.

‘Yeah.’ Erik pats my hand. ‘Ambassador Patton has that effect on me too.’

‘Sorry,’ I whisper, and offer him the smallest smile I can muster.

‘Don’t be,’ he says. ‘It’s nice to be around someone who has more than two emotions, and if I have to suffer Maela’s wrath later, I might as well enjoy your company.’

‘She’s going to be mad?’ I ask between sobs.

‘Patton’s a jerk. He sent for me to put Maela in her place – remind her who’s in control. I mean, I’ve met him at least ten times before today.’

‘But you were so polite when he forgot your name.’

‘Being rude won’t get you anywhere,’ Erik says. His tone is conversational, but I’m sure it’s a warning.

He lets me cry for most of our walk back through the halls, and in the brass lift he hands me a soft linen handkerchief.