Chapter Two
L itha left her lab after making strides on the intelligent bandage and rubbed her temples in the lift to the garage. Eight hours of working on her day off and she still couldn t guess at a solution to being alone. The more her friends all paired up, the louder the howling inside her became. She was happy for them, she really was, but Mother Nature had made her deadly, and that was a hard sell.
Hell, even the Blade of Uradda had found a partner. Nelith was a wonderful person and feared anywhere that Uradda had wanted to take over. She was getting married to an Eraddian ambassador this weekend. Litha was invited but didn t think she was going to go.
Her com went off, and Xeva s face was there, looking flushed and excited. Litha, when are you coming?
Uh... I don t think I am.
What? We need you here. Nelith wants you to walk her down the aisle.
I am not really in a party mood, Xeva. I am serious.
Xeva nodded soberly. I get it, but Nelith has been through a lot, and she really needs this. She wants her friends around her. Please.
Litha looked down at her jeans and tee. I have to find something to wear.
Come here. We have whatever you need.
Fine. I am on the way.
You know where we are?
Yes. I have been there before. Years ago. She left her house and locked it up, looking at her little farm and barn before she rose in the air and directed herself to the islands.
Apparently, she was attending a wedding. The sonic boom followed her as she kept the speed she needed to get there just after their breakfast. She could turn to light and travel that way, but it was showing off.
She saw the gathering of people on the beach, and the children jumping up and down at her approach made her smile. She landed on the sand, walked toward the crowd, and turned around. Who are we watching for?
Xeva walked out with a grin. You, Litha. One of the island guardian s brothers has all the action figures he could find, and when I told him Plasma was coming, he lost his mind. You are one of the rarest figures, but he does have one.
I had forgotten about that. They only released those when I was out of the stellar corp.
Xeva hugged her. Well, here you are, new in a box. That is an honour. Come on, we are getting you dressed and maybe something in your hair.
She was bustled into the bridal prep area and smiled. Oh, Nelith, you look lovely.
You look like casual Friday at a barn. Get changed. The bride was blushing and smiling.
Xeva held up a wrap and smiled. Come on. Get nekkid, oh, and let your hair down.
Litha dressed in the pink and gold sarong and slipped on the sandals. She loosed her hair, and it tumbled past her shoulders down to her hips.
Nelith smiled. I always forget how gorgeous you are.
It is something that does me no good. But you are stunning today as well.
Nelith grinned. Thank you. I feel pretty. You would not believe how many of my sisters are on this island. I think almost all of them are here.
Oh, why aren t they walking you down the aisle?
Because you are here. You helped lift me out of depression, showed me how to speed my recovery, and told me that being depressed because of my situation was fine, but there was a world moving around that had things that were fun to participate in. You gave me mom-advice, and it was the first time someone had done that in decades.
Litha finished getting ready. It was just nice talking to someone else who had been fucked over by their activation.
Nelith paused. Ouch. What s going on?
Nothing. Nothing. I am cleared for dating by the BDC, but no one will take me up on it. I have had nothing but platonic dates, and even my last patron just gave up when he saw a flick of my power. He likes helpless ladies.
Oh. Damn.
Xeva walked up and hugged her, and Nelith moved toward her in her peach and gold dress, stroking her cheek.
Litha chuckled. This is the most physical contact I have had in twenty-five years.
Nelith frowned.
Litha said, Hey, hey. Calm. I told Xeva I was going to be in a mood today.
Nelith nodded. It is understandable. I got plenty of hugs and touches from friends.
Litha smiled. Please let the ceremony start soon.
A young woman darted in, and the scent of honey came with her. Aunties, we are ready to go. Hello, ma am.
Hello. You are Nelith s niece?
Xeva shrugged. Niece, granddaughter, it is hard to say.
The young woman smiled. The flowers are here. So, as you come out, you will be bedecked.
Xeva smiled. Me first.
She kissed Nelith s cheek. See you on the battlefield, sis.
Nelith grinned.
They waited, and then, Xeva beckoned for Litha to come out, and as she stepped into the light, she felt a coronet of wide, soft petals land on her, another on her neck, wrist, and ankle. Nelith came out last, and she was covered in brilliant blue flowers in a heavy collar of sweetly scented petals.
Nelith smiled. So, one day only.
Litha laughed. One day only.
Music had started, and Xeva began a stately walk with a bouquet. Litha took Nelith s hand, and when the niece nodded, they started their slow walk up to the promontory.
There were many of Dmitri s people and tons of Xeva s and Nelith s. The similar features made her smile, but there was one missing. Litha knew one of Nelith s descendants, and she wasn t here.
She looked around, and the leaves shifted in a tree. Oh, there she was.
Litha smiled, and they walked up to where Dmitri had his hair flowing loose and was wearing a sarong around his hips. When he saw his bride, he smiled slowly, his serious devotion to her filling his posture. When his face began flowing through the six beings that inhabited his body, Litha smiled. Good thing they only emerge one at a time.
Nelith softly muttered, Yeah, but they line up.
They softly giggled as they walked to the top, where the chief of the island was waiting to conduct the ceremony.
Litha handed her off to Dmitri, inclining her head, and he looked at her as if trying to place her.
She stepped back, and Xeva directed her to a seat in the front row.
The officiant smiled. Before the vows, I have been asked to ask the following questions. Who gives this woman to this man?
The rows of descendants stood up. We do.
The officiant smiled and asked, And who will avenge her if she falls?
Litha stood and said, I will.
Nelith smiled, and Litha sat down again.
Dmitri leaned toward his bride and whispered, she whispered back, and he stood straight with a snap.
Nelith chuckled and patted his chest. The rest of the event went off without any diversion.
Litha sat with some of Xeva s siblings, eating and smiling and chatting. She felt gazes from the groom s side but socialized with the women who were her age and younger.
One of Xeva s soon-to-be brothers-in-law came to her with a package with a familiar figure. Ma am, are you really Plasma?
Yes, I really am.
He held out the box with a marker. Would you sign this?
Won t that wreck the value?
No, I keep the collection because actives who defend our world are something I aspire to be.
Wow. That is unexpected. Sure. Hand me the figure. I don t need the marker.
She carefully turned the box over, carefully signed in fire, and then covered the signature with her hand to put it out.
There. Nice and official, and the only one I have ever signed like that. She checked it. And I didn t light the box on fire. That took a long time to master.
He looked at it, and his eyes lit up. Thank you. Did you ever work with Xeva?
Only twice. The rest of the time, I was in space.
You can breathe in space? His eyes bugged out.
No, I don t need to breathe in space. There is enough radiation there to keep me alive. I absorb it rather easily, and when I do that, I can eat it.
The groom got up and wandered over while Nelith continued her lunch.
Miss Litha, may I speak with you?
Sure. Here or on the move?
Away from the crowd, please.
Sure, General. She got up and nodded to the ladies she was sitting with.
They walked toward the trees, and Litha said, So, what do you want to talk about?
You are Plasma, yes?
I was. Now, I am a textile researcher. I met Nelith when I made a compression suit for her scars.
But you are immune to radiation.
Correct. Bravo. Few put that little factoid into action.
We have an area that the Uraddans bombed to keep it uninhabitable, and they did a good job.
Right.
Can you go in and mitigate the radiation?
Sure. When?
He didn t seem to be expecting that.
We are spending the week here on a honeymoon, and when we are back in Aksalla, may we talk?
I am planning a long sabbatical, so is there anyone else who can just point me at the site? I can go there from here. Litha checked her com. Hell, I can go there now.
You aren t staying for the party?
Not really a party person. She shrugged.
He frowned. Why not?
Never really saw the point. It is wonderful that you and Nelith have found each other, though. So many folks would be wary of her slicing them up.
I trust her not to do that. She trusts me not to push her too far.
I guess that is what it comes down to. My level designation had to be on my file, and all I could get was one guy who just wanted to feel manly without having to exert himself. If I have one more fucking picnic in the park, I am going to make it into a desert. She laughed.
He blinked. Right. Let me see who I can contact. It is a ten-mile circumference. How long will that take?
Two days?
Two days? It has been a wasteland for twelve years.
So, two days... Litha shrugged. Maybe less.
He shook his head and nodded. Can you let Nelith know what I am looking for?
Sure. A babysitter.
He startled into a snort. Something like that.
She nodded and wandered over to speak to the bride.
She settled near Nelith, and when her friend leaned over, she whispered, He has a radiation cleanup project for me. He s looking for a babysitter so I don t scorch the countryside.
Nelith asked, Could they stop you?
Litha snorted. No. Anyway, just wanted you to know why your groom was distracted. I like those rings.
Nelith wiggled her heavily laden fingers. Twelve rings with two on each index finger. Weighing me down.
Litha chuckled and touched her head to Nelith s. Have a great day.
Wait. Are you leaving?
Not feeling the party.
You have to wait until the first dances.
When is that?
Another twenty minutes.
Okay, but just because you are so cute when you are happy. Litha smiled.
Nelith smiled. Thank you.
Litha walked off to the treeline and murmured, She would like to meet you.
A soft hissing voice said, She doesn t know me, and I am s-s-stuck again.
Aw, I would help if I could. Where have you been?
There was a soft hissing laugh. Playing.
How many did you play with?
Five or six. Two were hiding together. I found them, and they are no more, but now, there is a price on my head in the capitol... again.
Litha snorted. So that is four governments that are looking for a feral active.
You know I love that name. It makes me feel ferocious.
Pervert.
The voice cackled. It was a lovely ceremony. Dmitri s guys were checking you out.
Good for them. I am swearing off men. And women and electrical appliances.
The voice was soft. I am sorry, Litha. I know that you had dreams that you can t have or a partner you can t find.
Thanks. I think I just hit a wall. All hope is gone. I am going to stop trying and just tuck into working from home and let Drin be my hands at the lab. I don t want to see people anymore. I am so tired of trying. It is easier to be alone if you are the only person in the room.
A clawed, scaled hand reached out and touched her shoulder. I would hug you, but I am both naked and grubby.
And stuck in a lizard-woman shape?
That, too.
Litha put her hand over the claws. Thank you.
You are welcome. Are you going to dance?
What?
Nelith wants you there for the dancing; that means you will dance.
Oh. With whom?
I am sure they will let you know. She chuckled softly.
Nelith looked her way and waved her over.
That was a fast twenty minutes.
I suppose everyone is together. That is what normally happens.
Litha smiled. I will talk to you soon.
Feral chuckled. Oh, yes. I do so enjoy visiting. How is the farm?
Quiet. It is between growing seasons.
Dang. I miss it when it is lively.
Me, too. Well, I guess I have to go. Take care.
You, too. And don t be too sad. You will still have your time. Feral chuckled. He s waiting for you somewhere. I am sure you will find him soon. Coming here was the first step.
Litha looked over her shoulder and stared at the midnight scales and golden eyes. You have seen something?
I have seen many things. Feral chuckled. That is how I roll. I am glad you are on your path, though. It is about fucking time.
So, you see someone for me? No other seers have. They all said there was nothing visible.
That was then; this is now. Now you were at a party with people who don t know who and what you are.
Litha smiled. Thanks. Hope is something I haven t felt in a while.
I know. Go and dance, and then head off wherever Dmitri has in mind for you. That s your path. Just be yourself.
If I do that, people die.
They did when you were a child. You aren t a child anymore. You have internal shielding and decades of practice now. Check it out; I got a tail this time. Feral turned and wagged her scaled tale.
Litha was startled into laughing and nodded. Thanks for making the effort.
Litha, thank you for being worth it.
Feral chuckled and darted into the shadows, leaving Litha to face the dance floor.
The Erradian that she was dancing with moved carefully. He asked, You are a friend of the bride?
Yes. I helped her out when she first surfaced. I was brought in as a sort of therapy while they asked me to make a suit to help her injuries. She shrugged. You are a friend of the groom?
Yes. I am his uncle.
Ah, well, then you have met him. She chuckled.
Are you married? The Aksallan women don t wear bands.
Oh. No. Never found a partner to take the risk.
He looked like he wanted to continue flirting but was stuck. When the song ended, he nodded over her hand, and they parted ways.
She walked to the edge of the cleared dance area full of locals and the happy couple. She opened her com and had the custom suit in Erradian style that would let Nelith do what she needed to do in style.
Litha stood aside and waited for Dmitri to finish on the dance floor. It took longer than twenty minutes, but he and Nelith looked so happy she didn t want to interrupt.
When they finally parted after the sixth song, he kissed Nelith s cheek and walked over to Litha.
I have an escort for you and the necessary coordinates. Are you ready to travel now?
Yes.
If you run across any of our people who are not enthusiastic about your presence, please only kill what is necessary.
She smiled. Very well.
Her com chirped as the location was sent. She smiled at Dmitri. Thanks. Do you want to be alerted when it s done?
Certainly. What will be necessary after the radiation is absorbed?
Manure and clean soil. The land will be dust because I will fight fire with fire, so to speak. Maybe add some clean or moldy straw all chopped up and plow it in. You can probably get it bioactive in a year if you have the right actives.
He smiled. Thank you for doing this. We have been scrambling to figure it out, but the amount of radiation required is extreme.
And then Nelith mentioned me.
Correct. I have checked with our team, and your recorded stats match what we need.
Will be glad to be useful. She checked her com. Right. I can be there in ninety minutes if I get changed and leave now.
Dmitri blinked. You aren t going to stay for the rest of the celebration?
No. I am not in a celebrating mood, though I wish you joy, and I have sent a gift that will make Nelith look like an Erradian defender. She mused, I think my next meal will be radioactive contaminants.
He frowned. Please stay. Nelith is so happy you are here.
Waiting for other s happiness is what has led to this mood. I am heading out, but congratulations. The Blade is quite a catch.
She is. If you must leave, thank you for the effort you are about to engage in.
No problem. This is my gift to you, by the way.
He smiled. Thank you. We are having a reception in Aksalla in a week. Will you come to that?
Doubtful, but I might not be so pathetically lonely by then and have moved on to personal isolation by choice.
He blinked. You don t have a partner?
No. I have been looking for years but keep scaring the poor little things. She snorted. Have a great party. She s a wonderful woman.
You don t want to catch the bouquet?
No, it is better off going to ladies who have a chance at getting laid. Goodbye, Dmitri; goodbye, crowd.
She backed away, and Nelith walked to her and smiled. You really won t stay?
Litha looked at the happy people dancing, flirting and holding each other. Tears started to flow. No, but I hope you have an amazing time. Blessings to you, Nelith.
She kissed her friend s cheek and walked back to change into her casual clothes that she had crafted to withstand her radiation. When dressed, she checked the location and took flight, going as fast as she could away from the sight of all that love and laughter.
* * * *
N elith swallowed. Oh , damn. I didn t think it had gotten that bad, but she did say she had been bodyguarding for new couples, attending baby showers, and the like. Fuck. I should have let her stay home.
Dmitri was still staring at the burn of light in the sky where she had lit the atmosphere. What kind of active is she, besides radioactive?
Oh, she s nova class. As far as we know, she s the only one alive. They normally don t survive activation.
How did she survive?
Nelith smiled softly. Her parents were getting hints of her activation, so they prepared, and when she started glowing, they broke into a nuclear power plant, and she was in the tank for a week. When she came out, she was stable but still leaking a little.
Why didn t she get a mate then?
She was fourteen.
Ah. That would do it.
Her parents died from radiation exposure, but they didn t regret it. She saved the world more times than I can count, and they saw her do it.
But she wants a partner?
Yes. For the same reason I went for assessment at the BDC. She s lonely. The issue is she needs astral class if she wants them to survive more than one encounter. She was dating one casually, but he wanted women who were helpless. She had the bad taste to save some kids while on a date with him.
Ah. Fragile ego.
He isn t looking for someone like her. He wants someone who is physically vulnerable. She pretended to be for a while, but he didn t make a move.
So, she s frustrated, lonely, and watching a wedding with couples and teens and laughter that must sound like glass to her ears.
Nelith exhaled. I am an ass. I just wanted my friend with me.
I think she knows that, but she s hurting right now and is trying to lose herself in work.
Can she do that with this assignment?
He kissed her temple. I hope so. It will certainly push her endurance.
How did I get so lucky as to find you?
You let yourself be taken in as a war criminal.
Oh, right. Now we are on a beach, and you are in a skirt that doesn t cover much. She smiled.
Come on and circulate amongst our guests and your family.
Nelith nodded and returned to the party. Litha was resilient. She could bounce back from this. I hope.