I Am Not Junco Omnibus: Books Four - Six Read Online Free

return to Earth to punish you, whatever that means?
    No, obviously I'm not going to say that. "What happens if we don't have the timing down?"
    "Many people will die, Junco."
    "How many?"
    "It depends. Tens of millions if we are lucky and all goes well. Tens of billions if we are unlucky and are unable to get things working in time. Everyone, if we fail to initiate."
    "Oh."
    He looks down at me and brushes a fingertip along my cheek. The chills run up my spine and burst out onto my arms. He notices and the heat rises in my face. "I need you, Junco. I require your help. Will you help me?"
    His words are so soft I almost don't recognize them as Lucan. "How could I ever say no? I mean, I will help, want to help, but you don't really think I'd refuse, do you?"
    "I don't know you very well, I have to admit. You are capable of quite a bit more than I imagined. Gideon has revealed some things and…"
    I lose track of his words for a moment. "What things?" I ask, interrupting. "What did Gideon tell you?"
    "You had a difficult childhood, that's all."
    I frown. "Please don't ask about that. It's my past, do you understand? If I wanted to share it, I would. It feels… wrong for you to know things that I've kept close."
    "I do understand, Junco. I've kept things close myself. I didn't ask, he simply… offered. As a way of explanation."
    Explanation of what?
    I know he hears that question inside my head but he chooses to ignore it.
    "I have to go now. I cannot stay, but Ashur is around, just ask Gideon or Selia to call him if you need anything."
    I nod. "OK."
    "Try and relax for a few weeks, Junco. Think of this as a vacation. Rest. Will you rest?"
    Oh, the irony is back. I almost laugh but I’m afraid that might cause Lucan to worry about my sanity. So I simply shrug. "Sure, whatever."
    He leaves me there, a look of hope across his face.
    I almost feel guilty for the lies of omission.
    Almost.

Chapter Four
     

    The sunset leftovers still cling with blurry determination to the edge of the fading horizon, mixing perfectly with the deep azure blue of the Sargasso Sea beyond the breakwall.
    I've been sitting out here all evening feeling a little sorry for myself but no one seems to have noticed. Not Selia, who’s been busy all day with her pilot lessons. Not Gideon, who barely knows I'm alive these days. I might as well stayed in the tank for all the attention he gives me. Not Lucan. He's been missing since that talk we had out on the terrace a few weeks ago.
    And no one else has even bothered to visit. No one.
    Unless you count Isten's memories.
    So I sit around here on Sargassum, this massive artificial island resort that for some reason Gideon decided to make his home base years ago. And when I think about it too long it really pisses me off. That he'd come here. To paradise. While I was back in the RR falling to pieces and going insane with the lies and the guilt and the violence.
    The water laps gently against the flat black rock I sit on. The security of the seawall prevents the sound most beach-loving people crave. Breaking waves. There are no breaking waves on the interior atolls of the resort. And this small, privately funded and guarded island is far inside the protective circle.
    A flyer passes over and my eyes track it as it lands on the tall building behind me.
    Who could that be? My heart beats a little quicker. Maybe they didn't forget? Maybe it's my dad!
    Junco?
    Yeah?
    Come home. Now.
    My face brightens. The flyer is for me. I gather up my towel and jump across the rocks until I make the sand. My feet dig in as I jog back towards the massive high-rise and then I force myself to stop and walk calmly as I pass the guards and wait for my elevator.
    My guard today is Sho—some warrior Gid has kept close over the years for whatever reason. He's the one I was afraid of that day I came out of my room. I'm still afraid of him to be honest. I'm pretty much afraid to talk to anyone these days so I don't look at or speak to him