Page 60 of Guiding Desire

“Doesn’t feel like it,” Senlas said but still put his screen away.

He could see Taros’s purple hair and Karmine’s dark golden waves behind some dree bushes and waved at them. The Ferrean Conduits turned their heads as well, smiling at Senlas as he and Vin approached.

“Guardian Senlas,” one of them said, a man maybe one or two years younger than Orrey. “We heard you imprinted at the Guardian Parade? That’s a tale you don’t hear every day.”

The Ferreans, or at least this group of four, all looked interested.

“They wouldn’t quite believe us,” Karmine said.

“Well, it’s just that we heard your team only has one Conduit,” the young man said.

The woman standing next to him put her arm around his shoulders. “See, my brother had gotten his hopes up.”

“I see,” Senlas said. “It’s not a tale. My imprinted is part of our team now.”

The young man’s face fell, but not with abject disappointment. “You never know how things might change.”

“I cannot argue that, Conduit.” Senlas reached for his screen again but thought better of it. “Karmine, do we have a spot?”

The young Conduit chuckled. “My name is Conduit Zinn,” he said, pronouncing it the Western Coast way, a sharp tz-sound instead of the softer z. “I’m sure we’ll see each other around. Enjoy the rest of your night, and our congratulations.”

The other Ferreans echoed their congratulations and walked off, one of them kissing Karmine on the cheek.

“I think he was being very rude to our new Conduits,” Taros said.

“Yeah, but that’s because he’s pissed he can’t hold on to his cutie of a Conduit,” Karmine said as he picked up the backpack and blanket by his feet, handing the blanket off to Senlas. “Let’s go find you a quiet spot so your rudeness doesn’t spread.”

Vin cackled, and so did Taros.

“I hate the lot of you sometimes,” Senlas said. He was glad to have the blanket to hold on to. It made his fingers itch less for his screen, less for his Conduit.

16

ORREY

All newborns are to be tested for Guardian-related enzymes within twenty-four to forty-eight hours after birth. As Conduits lack any markers that can be picked up with a blood test if they aren’t exposed to direct contact with a Guardian, mandatory testing shall take place during the first year of every child’s schooling.

(Public Health Regulation)

Themomenttheauto-drivesped away, Orrey started doubting the wisdom of this decision. Conduit Coldis was in all ways more put together than Orrey, even ignoring Orrey’s face, which was still slightly numb after the anesthetic ointment the physician had lathered on before the laser treatment.

For one thing, Coldis looked interesting without even trying, his heterochromia matching his general demeanor. In addition, he owned more than a single parasol, and his clothes came in colors.

Orrey had just never bothered and wasn’t sure if he needed to now. He longed for the ease of a uniform, which had at least come with the assurance that he fit in as soon as he put it on.

Coldis walked through a flower bed ahead. Orrey couldn’t bring himself to follow him and went around instead, which made Coldis give him an amused look as he waited for Orrey to catch up.

“Your first mother said you were very contrary as a child, wouldn’t color in the lines at all whenever she gave you coloring pages. And that you cheated at card games and then convincingly lied about it.”

“Well, I just wanted to draw my own things. And the card games were so random in terms of outcome. I never liked card games, but Mom does to this day. She forced me into playing.”

“Hmm.” Coldis led the way to the building’s entrance.

“It looks really quiet here. Is no one working?”

“Oh, some are. But to be honest, nothing much happens here during Covenant Week.” He pointed back to the Archway. “The students out there interacting with the regulars probably work most. We might still run into the odd artist inside, but don’t hold your breath.”

“Artists never sleep,” Orrey said.