The Fenrir Saga - Part I

Chapter 31

Ben

The closer we came to the Gathering taking place, the fewer hours each day seemed to have. I was making phone calls, deciding schedules, talking to constructors, and signing agreements, and could not afford a minute's distraction. And yet, I paused at the top of the stairs to gaze through the windows toward the lake, admiring the serenity. It was a calm, sunny day and I couldn't help but feel that perhaps at least this day wasn't so bad after all. And then the mind-links began again and I moved downstairs.

Reading yet another suggestion from the party committee, I suddenly found myself face-to-face with a blonde woman in our lobby. She seemed confused, and I was confused to see her there. Most of our visitors these days were men. Come to think of it, all were, and this was something else. She actually also was something else. 

I felt... something. A neuron somewhere sending a signal I couldn't interpret. Could be the food served for dinner - it had a funny taste. My body felt.. yes, that was it - it felt. Neurotransmitters moved toward synapses that weren't in use anymore. I took a deep breath, and somewhere my unfortunate brain registered the lack of alluring molecules. Now focus.

She waved as a way of greeting, which was.. odd but kind of charming. I looked around, trying to locate anyone who would be expecting her, a bit annoyed that someone wasn't waiting for her already. After all, the gate would have mind-linked the person when she passed.

She proceeded to introduce herself, but I was too busy studying her face to actually pay attention. She looked oddly familiar. Did she say Hild?

"Oh. You are Hild? I'm..," right. What was the name I used again on the phone? I couldn't remember. I stalled, but time was running out. "uhm.. welcome to the Prospect?"

I frowned, hoping that she wouldn't pick up on that slight delay in answer. She did, and she laughed.

"You sure?"

Her blue eyes glistened, her laugh was contagious, and I smiled back. Ignoring the neuron sending even more signals.  I knew I shouldn't have taken that second serving.

Her face fell, and she grabbed the wall, obviously not feeling well. I helped her to a chair but realized that the leather armchairs just behind the stairs probably would be more comfortable. I mind-linked for someone to come with water and... cookies? Fainting women was not something I was used to, and suddenly I felt a pang of sympathy for Zac, who had experienced the same thing not that long ago. The water came; I poured her a glass and one for myself. I gulped it down, trying to take control of my treasonous body. Perhaps she needed to lay down? Apparently not.

"This is a beautiful place."

She sounded like she had expected something else.

"You sound surprised," the constant mind-links were starting to annoy me. Like, just give me a break, alright?

"Well, I would have thought it to be a little rougher around the edges, and I don't know, torture chambers in the basement sort of."

Heh.

"Who says we don't have that?" they were in another building though.

"Heh, well, actually, I wouldn't bet against it," she said dryly and then realized her misstep. "I am sorry, I shouldn't have.."

Mind-link again. I ignored it.

"You really are Hild. Zac's sister."

"I am."

"Alpha, we really need to tell the caterers.." and then something completely uninteresting, but I answered the mind-link. Again.

"And I know who you are."