Ripping Time

Ianira stirred against the pillow. Dark lashes fluttered. Je

"Hush, beloved. We are in danger. Cry out and you warn them."

Ianira's gaze ripped away from Je

Someone touched Je

"She's asked for you."

Je

The room closed in around Je

Someone crouched beside her, braced Je

"Yeah." The fact that it was true shocked her. She was okay. Then it hit her why: she wasn't quite alone any longer. She knew almost nothing about Noah Armstrong, not even the most basic thing one person can know about another—their gender—but she wasn't alone, facing this nightmare. Noah might not be going with her when Je

"Sure." Noah gave her a hand up, steadied her.

Je

She studied Je

Je

"There's this one group, though... down-timers, mostly, coming up-time from the remains of TT-66. They formed a cult to destroy us. The Ansar Majlis hate us, say it's blasphemous to worship a goddess. Rather than their idea of a god." It came out bitter, shaky. The expression in Ianira's eyes left Je

"Your father," she said quietly. "He is among them."

Je

Ianira reached across, touched Je

Je

Ianira brushed fingergips across Je

When the room greyed out and Je

Someone had Je

"You're... sure... ?" Je

Ianira brushed hair back from Je

Je