Mergirl: Callista's Story
By Ambassador Cara Jade
Part 7: Kiss Me I'm Dying
I drove Geith back o the Cloak and Dagger, where he and Roderick embraced like long-lost brothers.
"Good to see you again, man," Roderick said, slapping Geith on the back.
"Yeah, you too." Geith said. Roderick introduced him to the crew, and then to Master Altis.
As he shook hands with him, I saw the vague expression cross his face. I leaned close to him and whispered, "Genie."
Geith joined us for a dinner of freeze-dried steaks, and after the rest of the crew had left to store the things they'd traded that day, he and Roderick and Master Altis bantered ideas and prices back over coffeine. Josef and I sat quietly together, listening.
"You'll have to bring the Chu'unthor here," Geith said. "It couldn't be too difficult to hide it somewhere in this gas giant, even a ship as large as yours."
Master Altis replied, "I've contacted the captain, and they're on their way here. I'd expect them the day after tomorrow."
"Excellent," Geith said. "What kind of mechanical crew do you have on board"?"
"About one hundred men,"
Geith sighed. "That's only five men per device, and nowhere near enough."
"We'll help," Roderick said.
"What about the students on board?" Geith asked. "Are any of them good with a spanner?"
Master Altis shrugged. "Off the top of my head, I'm not sure."
Geith nodded. "We're going to need anywhere from twenty to thirty men working on each device. The less people we have, the longer it will take."
"I'll ask the masters to gather the students with the technical expertise you need. Now," Master Altis switched topics, leaning forward and folding his hands. "The problem is that the Jedi alone cannot pay for these modifications."
"And you can't go to the Republic." Josef said.
Altis nodded. "There is the possibility that someone in the Senate may be involved in this. Therefore, there cannot be a traceable record of transaction."
Geith nodded. "Yeah, okay." He frowned. "This makes things more difficult. Originally I was thinking maybe thirty cloakers, but that's enormously expensive." His mouth firmed up, as if he was thinking hard for an answer that wouldn't come. He glanced at me, and licked his lips with the tip of his tongue. "Well, I do have a few special models of my own design at my garage. They cover a wider area and don't double-blind. It's an experiment I've been working on. Maybe you'd like to test it for me."
Master Altis nodded. "How much?"
Geith glanced at me again, then at Master Altis. I saw the wheels turning between his ears. He could make a fortune if these models did what he said the did. "Nothing. You're my test subjects."
I bit my lip and looked at Josef. This was too easy. Master Altis said that people always have an ulterior motive, even if it wasn't readily apparent. For some reason, I didn't think Geith's was to test his new models.
But Master Altis nodded. "Then we remain in your debt."
I looked at my master, watching for any sign of what he was thinking as he shook hands with Geith. But he was always good at masking his emotions. He held his hand out to me to let me pass him. "Callista, would you take Master Jiséo home?"
"Yes, Master." I replied, dipping my head and then looking at Geith. "Let's go."
"Lead on." Geith said, and we walked wordlessly out of the lounge, down the ramp and to the parked speeder.
It wasn't until we were halfway back to his garage that he said anything:
"I guess we'll be seeing quite a bit of each other for the next few weeks."
I nodded. "I suppose so." I took me eyes off the road long enough to look at him. "Thank you," I said. "This means a lot to me...what you're doing."
He laughed self-deprecatingly. "Well..." he didn't finish his thought.
We stopped in front of his garage, but he didn't get out. I looked at him. He was looking at me. "Thanks for the lift," he said. He paused, then opened the passenger door. Then, hurriedly, he closed it again and turned to me. "Um...since you're going to be here for a few days...well, you're not gonna have anything to do until your ship comes..."
I watched him struggle to speak, not saying a word myself.
"Would you like to have dinner tomorrow night? I mean, I'm sure that you'll be hungry and wanting to eat, but...with me?"
I smiled, pleasantly surprised. "I'd like that." His ears turned pink and he exhaled, relieved.
"Great." He smiled and opened the door again. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Bye," I said as he got out. I hid my smile until he closed the door. Then a sudden thrill rose in my stomach, like I'd never felt--well once before, when Ilios had been alive. In a moment, all my Jedi seriousness fell away, leaving an eighteen-year-old girl who'd just been asked out by a really hot guy.
I was lost in trivial thoughts as I drove back to the ship, things that had never crossed my mind, especially: what would I wear?
As I turned a corner, I heard shouts and grunts from an alley. Or at least, I thought I did. I stopped the speeder and cut the engine, listened.
The sound of a fist connecting with flesh, followed by a grunt and a thud.
"Talk, you fool! Save yourself!" An angry voice roared. I leapt out of the speeder and crouched behind it as I made sure I was clear. Then I crept to the mouth of the dark alley.
There were three figures standing over a fourth, prone figure. They held force pikes or clubs. Their victim writhed on the ground. He was human, middle-aged, from his build and features.
"Enough of this," one of them said, a short, thin man with sculpted blond hair that glinted in the moonlight. "Cuff him. Let them deal with him." The second man knelt beside the fallen figure and slapped stun cuffs around his wrists and hauled him to his feet. The man cried out and his knees buckled, which made the stuncuffs send a charge through his body, and he fell back to the ground.
"Get up, Jedi!"
Jedi.
"Hey!" I called, running down the alley. The blond man looked up in surprise. As I ran, I called on the Force and stretched out one hand. "Leave him alone," I said evenly. I felt the power rising in my hands as I moved closer.
The blond man laughed jovially. "Nothing to see here, little girl. Run along." He laughed again, and his two thugs joined in stupidly.
So I lifted them into the air. They cried out in shock and anger and I moved to stand under them. "I don't think so," I said, and threw them down the alley. They landed with a number of dull thuds, unconscious and unmoving.
I took a deep breath and released the Force. I looked at the man, who was still lying on the ground. Kneeling by is side, I heard his labored breathing. "Are you all right?"
He wheezed. "Jedi--"
I nodded. "Yes, I'm a Jedi." I grabbed his hand, reaching out through the Force to nurture his presence to keep him alive. "Who were they?"
He squeezed my hand. "Padawan." he said, a vague smile on his lips. "They will kill us."
I touched his chest, felt hot and sticky blood saturating his clothes. "Oh..." I muttered, and pressed my hand against the wound.
"Bounty hunters," he rasped. "Sent...sent by--"
"Sent by who?"
"Chan--chan--" his last breath could not finish the name. His eyes closed, his presence waned.
Master Altis had taught me about how some Jedi's bodies disappeared when they died, becoming one with the Force. Such it was with this Jedi. After his heart stopped, his body evaporated, vanished from my arms. I sighed and bowed my head. "May the Force be with you." I whispered to the nothingness, but he was gone.
At the end of the alley, the blond man was waking up. I stood up straight and ran. I was Jedi, too, and I doubted that they'd hesitate to do the same thing to me that they'd done to the dead Jedi. I ran to the speeder and leapt over the side into the driver's seat. It was started in seconds, and, as I tore away, I saw the blond man emerge from the alleyway. He brought a blaster to bear and fired, missed. I floored the acceleration and doubled my speed.
"Master!" I cried as I shut off the speeder. I jumped over the side and ran up the ramp. "Master Altis!" I skidded around corners to the lounge, but only Josef was there.
"Where's Master Altis?" I wheezed.
"Right here, Callista. What is it?" Master Altis appeared in the doorway behind me and grabbed my arm, as if he was afraid I'd pass out.
I took a deep breath. "Another--another Jedi is dead." I swallowed. "Murdered."
Master Altis looked at me for a moment. "Did you know who he was?"
I shook my head. "No, Master. I'd never seen him before."
"Is there a body?"
"No. He became one with the Force."
Master Altis sighed. "We haven't much time." He looked at me. "We need to identify the Jedi. Come inside. Josef, you come too." He led us to the passenger cabins. I sat on the bed and Josef leaned against the wall, arms folded. Watching Master Altis, he looked more thoughtful and worrisome since I'd ever seen him, after when Ilios and Cerante did. His hands were pressed together and his index fingers touched his lips. He paced the length of the room and then turned and faced us.
"Callista, I need you to show me the Jedi you found."
I nodded and brushed stray hair out of my face. Master Altis knelt in front of me and touched my forehead. I felt the memory rising, and helped to pass it to him. He pulled back and sighed. "Liet Mor-Kasa," he said.
"You knew him?" Josef asked.
"Knew of him. A great Jedi, and a cunning warrior."
"He tried to tell me who killed him." I said. "Did you hear his last words?"
Master Altis nodded. "Chan. No Jedi I know of are named Chan."
Master Altis and I spent the afternoon locked in the passenger cabin, talking to Mace Windu of the Jedi Council.
"And you didn't get a good look at whoever killed him?" Master Windu asked me.
I shook my head. "No, Master. But I don't believe it's relevant, because Mor-Kasa said he was a bounty hunter."
"He may lead us to his employer." Windu said thoughtfully. "Master Altis," he shifted his attention to my Master. "Keep your senses alert. This is not the first report of Jedi murder that we have encountered. Look for other signs. And continue with your endeavor to hide the Chu'unthor. Until we discover who this 'Chan' is, we must be more careful."
Master Altis bowed formally. "Yes, Master."
"May the Force be with you," Master Windu said, and Master Altis and I bowed again. The holo of Windu disintegrated, and Master Altis turned to me.
"If you're going out tonight, I want you to be especially careful."
"Do you trust Jiséo, Master?" I asked.
"Yes, but we know nothing of his associates. Be mindful, and trust your feelings."
"Yes, Master." I said, and looked at the chrono. "I should probably get ready to go."
I glanced at Master Altis, and after he nodded, I went to Josef's separate quarters.
It occurred to me that my choice of wardrobe was basically a pair of Josef's pants and one of my own shirts, unless I wanted to wear my Jedi robes. I'd been working and helping Roderick and Josef with minor repairs that morning, so what I was wearing was streaked with grease and dust. But Josef had said I could borrow another pair of his pants, and I did have another shirt, thankfully. After changing, there wasn't anything else I could do.
I was nervous, really nervous. I'd never been on a date before; I had no idea how to act. As I stared at my reflection in Josef's shaving mirror, my brother knocked on the door. I turned around as he opened it. He flopped on the bed. "I'm exhausted," he said.
I threw a towel at him. "Then go to sleep."
"Where are you going?" he said.
"To get something to eat." I walked out of the cabin with a smile and a wave, and passed Master Altis in the lounge. He looked up, and his eyes twinkled.
"Be safe, padawan. I'll see you tomorrow."
Tomorrow?
Suddenly Master Altis seemed like a father, inquiring about his daughter's plans. He got up and started to leave when the hatch summons sounded. I looked at him and smiled. "Good night, Master." I opened the hatch and walked out to meet my date.
Geith took me to a club called the Smash House. Like all the local buildings, the facade was plain and indistinguishable, but the inside was a sea of flashing colors and strobe lights. The entrance was at the top of a flight of skeletal stairs that overlooked the rest of the House.
"What do you think?" Geith shouted over the thumping music.
"It's...loud." I shouted back.
He grabbed my hand. "Stay close," he said, and led me down the stairs. "You ever go clubbing?"
"What?"
We were on our way to the dance floor when--
"Geith! My man!"
Geith turned to the man approaching us. He was short, and thin, with blond hair sculpted to perfection. Geith grabbed his hand and slapped his back.
"Evin! What's up?"
"So much, man. What're you doin'?"
Geith grabbed my hand and led me over. "Evin, this is Callista. Callista, my best friend, Evin."
Evin lifted my hand and flips his over so my palm rested on the back of his hand. "Enchanted." He said, and gallantly kissed my knuckles.
His touch sent a chilled shock through me, a familiar sensation.
"Callie, you okay?" Geith touched my shoulder.
"Huh? I'm fine." I looked at Evin again. His blue eyes were looking at me coldly. They flicked back and forth, as if searching for a memory.
"So, man," he continued. "I gotta talk to you about--" he glanced briefly at me, as if this was something I wasn't supposed to hear. "--that bad line of speeders. I think there's gonna be a recall."
Geith shook his head. "Not now, man. Stop by my place later."
Evin nodded. "Fine. I'm out." He bent in an exaggerated bow and disappeared.
Geith took my hand again. "Who was that?" I asked.
"Just a friend of mine. Don't worry about him. He's just a little off."
I nodded.
"Come on. Let's eat." he said, and we sat down. The next thing I knew, a towering pillar of gray fur stood next to our table. I craned my neck upwards to look at its face. I'd never seen a Wookiee before.
"Satellite, how's it goin'?" Geith asked. "Callista, I'd like you to meet Satellite, the owner of this illustrious facility.
Satellite growled and patted my head with one large paw. He brought our food and tall glasses of bubbling green liquid. Geith smiled and picked up his glass. "Don't drink this too fast. To your health." We clinked glasses and he downed his quickly I watched him for a moment, the swallowed a large gulp. It burned like acid all the way down, past my lungs. My eyes widened in surprise. Geith laughed. "I warned you." His eyes twinkled. "Don't drink much, do you?"
I shook my head, and he raised his eyebrows.
"At all," I admitted, and he laughed again.
We talked for a long time. Geith was twenty-three and native to Corellia. He'd traveled the galaxy with his father, managing his mechanics business. His father had died a year ago, and the company had gone bankrupt. He'd been on Bespin ever since, working to pay the rent.
After dinner, we left and walked the streets of the city, still talking. He asked me questions, about my training, my family, my life. I found myself telling him everything about me, anything he wanted to know. I'd never been so open with someone, and now that I was, I felt more free. His hand slipped around mine comfortingly as I told him about my parents, my mother who killed her self and my father who grew too distant to be a real father. After a few minutes, I started getting uncomfortable, so I changed the subject.
"Geith, why are you helping us?"
He looked at me curiously. "What do you mean?"
"Why aren't you asking for anything in return?"
Geith stopped me underneath a streetlight. "I didn't have to. I got you." He touched my face. His fingers were trembling. "From the moment I saw you, I knew I'd do anything to see you smile."
And so I did.
Geith's apartment was above his garage. Just inside the door was his sitting room, but he didn't have any furniture.
"What--" I started to question.
"Pillows are cheaper, and, if you ask me, more comfortable." He explained jokingly, taking off my coat and tossing it on the floor. "Can I get you anything?" he asked, moving to the kitchen, which also didn't have a table or chairs. He leaned on the counter and looked at me.
I shook my head. "No, thanks," I said, and her returned to me, wrapping his arms around my waist.
"You look beautiful," he said.
I smiled. "Thanks."
He looked down at my hands on his chest, touched one of them with his own. "Callie, I--I really, really like you. I don't think I've ever met anyone like you. Look at you--you're honest, you know? You're real." He laughed and shook his head. "I'm sorry, I don't do this very often. I have no idea what I'm supposed to say."
I smiled, and touched his lips with my finger. "Neither do I," I said. "Let's do this--let's not say anything."
Geith kissed my fingertips, then my palm. After that, he moved to my mouth. I closed my eyes and kissed him back in my own self-imposed darkness. His hands slipped around my waist again, pulling me against him. His lips were warm and soft, his mouth barely open and his stray breaths brushing against my cheeks. Dimly, I was are that his fingers cad crept beneath my shirt.
I remembered a time when I was twelve years old. Papa's new wife Anela had preached to me about the value of saving sex until after marriage.
Geith tugged at the hem of my shirt, and I lifted my arms so he could pull it over my head.
I never listened to Anela anyway.
Geith kissed me again and again, long into the night.
I awoke to darkness, disorientation. I was lying on the floor among pillows and blankets, one of which was bunched around my waist as I laid on my side. My arms clutched a pillow as if it were another body. I had expected Geith to be in the place of the pillow, bur I was alone in his bedroom.
The walls were paper thin in his apartment, and the door was open a crack, so it was easy to hear the voices in the next room:
"What's your problem, man? I thought you were down with this."
"No one was supposed to get killed, Evin," Geith said. My muscles clinched. Killed...Evin's voice was familiar to me now that it wasn't muffled by the music of the Smash House. Now his face fell into its place.
It had been Evin who had killed Liet Mor-Kasa.
And Geith was in on it.
"He was going to die anyway!" Evin said. "I did him a favor, killing him when I did. Hey, do you have anything to drink around here? Somethin' hard? I'm parched, and whipped."
The sound of a refrigeration unit opening, and glass changing hands, then a bottle opening.
"That's not why we took the job. We're just supposed to catch them."
Evin exhaled loudly after a long gulp of whatever Geith had given him. "Why do you care so much, man? Everyone says they're getting too powerful. Do you really want to be governed by people who can control minds?"
"Evin, maybe they're not all like that?"
"What's up with you, man? Why'd you change your mind so suddenly?" He slammed his bottle on the counter. "Is it that chick?"
"None of your business, Evin. I want out."
"You can't. You're in too far."
"No. I'm out. That's it."
Silence. I listened intently. Evin was rolling the bottom of the bottle on the counter. "Fine," he said finally. "You're out."
"And you are, too. Out. Now."
I heard footsteps, and closed my eyes again. A shadow passed over me, paused. I felt Evin's eyes on me, felt him contemplating, thinking about me and what Geith had said.
Then I heard his thoughts, as loudly as if he'd spoken it:
Jedi.
Then the door closed, and another opened and slammed shut. The bedroom door opened again, and Geith knelt beside me in the pillows. He touched my face, brushing hair back. I opened my eyes. He looked taken aback for an instant, but then relaxed. "Callie,"
I knew I could trust Geith. He hadn't known I was listening; everything he'd told Geith was true.
"I saw Evin kill a man, Geith," I said, y voice sounding weird and raspy in my ears. "Last night."
"Two nights ago, actually," he corrected, confirming at the same time.
I swallowed, afraid to know the truth. "I know that you weren't there, but...did you have anything to do with it?"
Geith shook his head.
"That was the job you were talking about?"
"Yeah. Well, pat of it. We're supposed to catch any Jedi we find, not kill them."
I sat up, my confidence in him shaken enough that I needed to hear it come from his own mouth. "Geith, can I trust you?"
Geith sighed, and touched my chin. "Callista, I will never, ever betray you," There was no deception in his heart. I held out my arms, and hugged him. Releasing a relieved sigh, he held my close, kissing my shoulder. We laid back in the pillows and gazed at the ceiling. Geith traced circles on my stomach, tickling electricity through my body. "He's my best friend, Callie, but I would kill him if he ever tried to hurt you."
I snuggled closer under his arm. "Do you think he'll come after you? You were probably hired to hunt Jedi sympathizers too, right?"
"Yes." He said grimly. "I don't know. I'd like to think that he won't, but that sounds really naive."
We laid in silence for a long time, just enjoying the feel of each other's flesh, the sound of our breath, the scent of our dried sweat. Geith felt warm, and good, loving. he'd melted part of the hard shell I'd built around myself, and I felt happy, truly happy, for this first time in a long time.
"What time is it?" I murmured.
Geith looked at his chronometer. "A little after eight."
"Blast," I said, sitting up and reaching for my clothes. "Master Altis is probably wondering where I am."
Geith sat up and took my arm, and started kissing my neck. "No...stay. He's a Jedi, he knows where you are."
"And that's so much better," I said jokingly, turning my head and kissing him. He returned to the back of my neck and my shoulders. I wrenched away. "No fair!" I shrieked and laughed as he held my strongly. "I have to go!" I said with another laugh. I looked at him and stopped struggling. Finally, he released me.
"Yeah...I have to open up the garage. I'll walk you out, though."
I got dressed and Geith walked me through the garage to his front door. As he opened it for me, I looked back at him. "I had a wonderful time."
He kissed me. "I certainly hope so, because so did I." He said.
I smiled and stepped out the door. "I'll call you later." I said. I walked down the street, looking over my shoulder at him. He smiled at me and waved. I waved back, then turned and continued down the street, smiling happily.
When I got back to the Cloak and Dagger, I looked over my shoulder, wary after overhearing the conversation at Geith's apartment. Then I ran up the ramp and closed it behind me.
Master Altis was sitting in the lounge, eyes closed. I knew he knew that I was there; it was pointless to try and sneak past.
"Good morning" he said, opening his eyes to look at me.
"Good morning, Master." I itched to tell him about Evin.
Patience.
"I assume dinner went...well?" he said wryly, raising and eyebrow.
I smiled. "You could say that."
He raised a finger. "Be mindful of your thoughts, padawan. I should warn you, then Council frowns on relationships between Jedi and non," he paused. "Fortunately, your Geith isn't non-Jedi."
I dipped my head. "What?"
"That is, if he chooses to train. I sensed his power when we were negotiating for the cloakers. I'm sure you can convince him," he added, with a gleam in his eye.
I nodded. "I think he should join us either way,"
"Thoughts, Callista."
"Not just that!" I said defensively. "He's in danger. I found out who killed Liet Mor-Kasa."
Master Altis looked at me in surprise. "Who?"
"Geith's best friend, Evin Filipiak. I heard them talking about it this morning." I thought back to the conversation. "Master, someone is hiring mercenaries to roundup Jedi. Evin is just killing them for the hell of it."
Master Altis nodded. "Then we best leave."
I looked at him curiously. "But, Master, won't he just follow us? Wouldn't it be to the Jedi's advantage to kill him?"
"But then they could condemn us. If we evade them, our hands remain innocent."
I nodded. "Yes, Master."
"The Chu'unthor will be arriving tonight. We'll leave as soon as we can retreat to it. Stay and do what you can to help, then you can go for Geith later tonight. Bounty hunters don't strike in the light."
There wasn't much to do to ready the ship for departure, so I spent the afternoon in the guest cabins, poring over Master Altis' history book plates. I was in there until nightfall, when Geith arrived, cloakers in tow.
"Callista!" Master Altis called. "Could you come and help us, please?"
I shut off the bookplate and went to the cargo hold. The entire crew was unloading the two cloakers. I swung down to the next level and started working behind Geith. He looked over his shoulder and smiled at me. "Hi," he said under his labored breath.
"Hey, I need to talk to you," I said. "Let's finish here."
"Okay."
We worked together and pushed both of the cloakers onto the ship. With the weight dispersed evenly among us, it wasn't as difficult, but Master Altis told me not to use my powers: "Never take the easy way out."
Once we'd finished, I took Geith's hand and led him away from the rest of the group. "Geith," I told him. "We're leaving tonight."
"What?" Geith's face fell with confusion. "What are you talking about?"
He gripped my arms, and I put my hands over his. "It's dangerous here," I said. "For all of us. Even you." I looked pointedly at him. "Master Altis wants to train you as a Jedi. You can come with us, and be safe." I touched his face. "Be with me."
Geith looked at me until Master Altis joined us. "Ah, did you tell him, Callista?" he asked.
Geith and I lowered our eyes and our hands, and took a step back.
"Yes, Master," I said, clearing my throat.
He looked at Geith. "And what do you think, boy?"
"I'm not sure, Master Altis. This is all going so fast I haven't quite had a chance to catch up." Geith replied. He looked at me, and I stared back, thinking Please...please do this.
He looked down, then up again. I don't know what to do.
"Evin won't spare you because you're his friend, Geith. He will kill you."
"We don't know that." Geith argued.
"Master Altis knows that. I know that. You know you can trust me."
"Geith," Master Altis said. "Loyalties do not always last forever. You and your friend have parted ways. Now you must protect yourself."
"I don't do that by turning my tail and running." Geith snarled. He was getting angry. I put a hand on his chest to calm him.
"We are removing ourselves from a dangerous situation, that's all. If you are to be a Jedi, you'll learn the difference."
"And that's another thing." Geith said, shifting his stance. "What is all this about me training to be a Jedi? I don't have the Force."
"But you do," Master Altis replied. "Geith, it's in your best interest to come with us. Please."
Geith looked at me again. His gaze lingered a little longer this time. Then he sighed and looked at his boots. "All right," he said, and smiled when I did. "All right. I'll come with you."
Master Altis nodded. "Excellent."
Geith jerked a thumb over his shoulder. "Can I go back to my apartment and get some stuff?"
"Hurry. Callista," Master Altis added. "Go ahead and go with him."
Geith grabbed my hand. "I'll drive this time."
We got back to Geith's garage and ran up to his apartment. He grabbed a duffel bag from his closet. "Callie, there's a cash box down in the office." He tossed me a ring of keys. "The one with the green paint on it. Open the box and take all the money out. I'll be ready by the time you get back."
I nodded and ran back down the stairs and knelt behind Geith's desk. I opened the cash box and grabbed the bundles of credit papers and coins. There was a bag in the box, too, so I stuffed everything inside it.
Geith clattered down the stairs, his bag over his shoulder. "You got it?" he said.
I nodded and held up the bag. "Let's go."
"Okay." He started the rest of the way down the stairs. "Oh, wait." he said, and stopped. "I forgot something. Come with me." I followed him up the stairs, and when he opened the door he grabbed my hand and put it over his shoulder and kissed me. He pulled me into the apartment and shut the door. "I think we have a minute."
I smiled. "Forgot something, did you?"
"Of course."
I kissed him again. Then, suddenly, I felt a flash of danger and opened my eyes. I pushed Geith away and touched my mouth. "Geith," I said, and he turned around.
Evin was standing in a dark corner, leaning against the wall, watching us.
"Please," he said. "Don't let me interrupt."
By Ambassador Cara Jade
Part 7: Kiss Me I'm Dying
I drove Geith back o the Cloak and Dagger, where he and Roderick embraced like long-lost brothers.
"Good to see you again, man," Roderick said, slapping Geith on the back.
"Yeah, you too." Geith said. Roderick introduced him to the crew, and then to Master Altis.
As he shook hands with him, I saw the vague expression cross his face. I leaned close to him and whispered, "Genie."
Geith joined us for a dinner of freeze-dried steaks, and after the rest of the crew had left to store the things they'd traded that day, he and Roderick and Master Altis bantered ideas and prices back over coffeine. Josef and I sat quietly together, listening.
"You'll have to bring the Chu'unthor here," Geith said. "It couldn't be too difficult to hide it somewhere in this gas giant, even a ship as large as yours."
Master Altis replied, "I've contacted the captain, and they're on their way here. I'd expect them the day after tomorrow."
"Excellent," Geith said. "What kind of mechanical crew do you have on board"?"
"About one hundred men,"
Geith sighed. "That's only five men per device, and nowhere near enough."
"We'll help," Roderick said.
"What about the students on board?" Geith asked. "Are any of them good with a spanner?"
Master Altis shrugged. "Off the top of my head, I'm not sure."
Geith nodded. "We're going to need anywhere from twenty to thirty men working on each device. The less people we have, the longer it will take."
"I'll ask the masters to gather the students with the technical expertise you need. Now," Master Altis switched topics, leaning forward and folding his hands. "The problem is that the Jedi alone cannot pay for these modifications."
"And you can't go to the Republic." Josef said.
Altis nodded. "There is the possibility that someone in the Senate may be involved in this. Therefore, there cannot be a traceable record of transaction."
Geith nodded. "Yeah, okay." He frowned. "This makes things more difficult. Originally I was thinking maybe thirty cloakers, but that's enormously expensive." His mouth firmed up, as if he was thinking hard for an answer that wouldn't come. He glanced at me, and licked his lips with the tip of his tongue. "Well, I do have a few special models of my own design at my garage. They cover a wider area and don't double-blind. It's an experiment I've been working on. Maybe you'd like to test it for me."
Master Altis nodded. "How much?"
Geith glanced at me again, then at Master Altis. I saw the wheels turning between his ears. He could make a fortune if these models did what he said the did. "Nothing. You're my test subjects."
I bit my lip and looked at Josef. This was too easy. Master Altis said that people always have an ulterior motive, even if it wasn't readily apparent. For some reason, I didn't think Geith's was to test his new models.
But Master Altis nodded. "Then we remain in your debt."
I looked at my master, watching for any sign of what he was thinking as he shook hands with Geith. But he was always good at masking his emotions. He held his hand out to me to let me pass him. "Callista, would you take Master Jiséo home?"
"Yes, Master." I replied, dipping my head and then looking at Geith. "Let's go."
"Lead on." Geith said, and we walked wordlessly out of the lounge, down the ramp and to the parked speeder.
It wasn't until we were halfway back to his garage that he said anything:
"I guess we'll be seeing quite a bit of each other for the next few weeks."
I nodded. "I suppose so." I took me eyes off the road long enough to look at him. "Thank you," I said. "This means a lot to me...what you're doing."
He laughed self-deprecatingly. "Well..." he didn't finish his thought.
We stopped in front of his garage, but he didn't get out. I looked at him. He was looking at me. "Thanks for the lift," he said. He paused, then opened the passenger door. Then, hurriedly, he closed it again and turned to me. "Um...since you're going to be here for a few days...well, you're not gonna have anything to do until your ship comes..."
I watched him struggle to speak, not saying a word myself.
"Would you like to have dinner tomorrow night? I mean, I'm sure that you'll be hungry and wanting to eat, but...with me?"
I smiled, pleasantly surprised. "I'd like that." His ears turned pink and he exhaled, relieved.
"Great." He smiled and opened the door again. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Bye," I said as he got out. I hid my smile until he closed the door. Then a sudden thrill rose in my stomach, like I'd never felt--well once before, when Ilios had been alive. In a moment, all my Jedi seriousness fell away, leaving an eighteen-year-old girl who'd just been asked out by a really hot guy.
I was lost in trivial thoughts as I drove back to the ship, things that had never crossed my mind, especially: what would I wear?
As I turned a corner, I heard shouts and grunts from an alley. Or at least, I thought I did. I stopped the speeder and cut the engine, listened.
The sound of a fist connecting with flesh, followed by a grunt and a thud.
"Talk, you fool! Save yourself!" An angry voice roared. I leapt out of the speeder and crouched behind it as I made sure I was clear. Then I crept to the mouth of the dark alley.
There were three figures standing over a fourth, prone figure. They held force pikes or clubs. Their victim writhed on the ground. He was human, middle-aged, from his build and features.
"Enough of this," one of them said, a short, thin man with sculpted blond hair that glinted in the moonlight. "Cuff him. Let them deal with him." The second man knelt beside the fallen figure and slapped stun cuffs around his wrists and hauled him to his feet. The man cried out and his knees buckled, which made the stuncuffs send a charge through his body, and he fell back to the ground.
"Get up, Jedi!"
Jedi.
"Hey!" I called, running down the alley. The blond man looked up in surprise. As I ran, I called on the Force and stretched out one hand. "Leave him alone," I said evenly. I felt the power rising in my hands as I moved closer.
The blond man laughed jovially. "Nothing to see here, little girl. Run along." He laughed again, and his two thugs joined in stupidly.
So I lifted them into the air. They cried out in shock and anger and I moved to stand under them. "I don't think so," I said, and threw them down the alley. They landed with a number of dull thuds, unconscious and unmoving.
I took a deep breath and released the Force. I looked at the man, who was still lying on the ground. Kneeling by is side, I heard his labored breathing. "Are you all right?"
He wheezed. "Jedi--"
I nodded. "Yes, I'm a Jedi." I grabbed his hand, reaching out through the Force to nurture his presence to keep him alive. "Who were they?"
He squeezed my hand. "Padawan." he said, a vague smile on his lips. "They will kill us."
I touched his chest, felt hot and sticky blood saturating his clothes. "Oh..." I muttered, and pressed my hand against the wound.
"Bounty hunters," he rasped. "Sent...sent by--"
"Sent by who?"
"Chan--chan--" his last breath could not finish the name. His eyes closed, his presence waned.
Master Altis had taught me about how some Jedi's bodies disappeared when they died, becoming one with the Force. Such it was with this Jedi. After his heart stopped, his body evaporated, vanished from my arms. I sighed and bowed my head. "May the Force be with you." I whispered to the nothingness, but he was gone.
At the end of the alley, the blond man was waking up. I stood up straight and ran. I was Jedi, too, and I doubted that they'd hesitate to do the same thing to me that they'd done to the dead Jedi. I ran to the speeder and leapt over the side into the driver's seat. It was started in seconds, and, as I tore away, I saw the blond man emerge from the alleyway. He brought a blaster to bear and fired, missed. I floored the acceleration and doubled my speed.
"Master!" I cried as I shut off the speeder. I jumped over the side and ran up the ramp. "Master Altis!" I skidded around corners to the lounge, but only Josef was there.
"Where's Master Altis?" I wheezed.
"Right here, Callista. What is it?" Master Altis appeared in the doorway behind me and grabbed my arm, as if he was afraid I'd pass out.
I took a deep breath. "Another--another Jedi is dead." I swallowed. "Murdered."
Master Altis looked at me for a moment. "Did you know who he was?"
I shook my head. "No, Master. I'd never seen him before."
"Is there a body?"
"No. He became one with the Force."
Master Altis sighed. "We haven't much time." He looked at me. "We need to identify the Jedi. Come inside. Josef, you come too." He led us to the passenger cabins. I sat on the bed and Josef leaned against the wall, arms folded. Watching Master Altis, he looked more thoughtful and worrisome since I'd ever seen him, after when Ilios and Cerante did. His hands were pressed together and his index fingers touched his lips. He paced the length of the room and then turned and faced us.
"Callista, I need you to show me the Jedi you found."
I nodded and brushed stray hair out of my face. Master Altis knelt in front of me and touched my forehead. I felt the memory rising, and helped to pass it to him. He pulled back and sighed. "Liet Mor-Kasa," he said.
"You knew him?" Josef asked.
"Knew of him. A great Jedi, and a cunning warrior."
"He tried to tell me who killed him." I said. "Did you hear his last words?"
Master Altis nodded. "Chan. No Jedi I know of are named Chan."
Master Altis and I spent the afternoon locked in the passenger cabin, talking to Mace Windu of the Jedi Council.
"And you didn't get a good look at whoever killed him?" Master Windu asked me.
I shook my head. "No, Master. But I don't believe it's relevant, because Mor-Kasa said he was a bounty hunter."
"He may lead us to his employer." Windu said thoughtfully. "Master Altis," he shifted his attention to my Master. "Keep your senses alert. This is not the first report of Jedi murder that we have encountered. Look for other signs. And continue with your endeavor to hide the Chu'unthor. Until we discover who this 'Chan' is, we must be more careful."
Master Altis bowed formally. "Yes, Master."
"May the Force be with you," Master Windu said, and Master Altis and I bowed again. The holo of Windu disintegrated, and Master Altis turned to me.
"If you're going out tonight, I want you to be especially careful."
"Do you trust Jiséo, Master?" I asked.
"Yes, but we know nothing of his associates. Be mindful, and trust your feelings."
"Yes, Master." I said, and looked at the chrono. "I should probably get ready to go."
I glanced at Master Altis, and after he nodded, I went to Josef's separate quarters.
It occurred to me that my choice of wardrobe was basically a pair of Josef's pants and one of my own shirts, unless I wanted to wear my Jedi robes. I'd been working and helping Roderick and Josef with minor repairs that morning, so what I was wearing was streaked with grease and dust. But Josef had said I could borrow another pair of his pants, and I did have another shirt, thankfully. After changing, there wasn't anything else I could do.
I was nervous, really nervous. I'd never been on a date before; I had no idea how to act. As I stared at my reflection in Josef's shaving mirror, my brother knocked on the door. I turned around as he opened it. He flopped on the bed. "I'm exhausted," he said.
I threw a towel at him. "Then go to sleep."
"Where are you going?" he said.
"To get something to eat." I walked out of the cabin with a smile and a wave, and passed Master Altis in the lounge. He looked up, and his eyes twinkled.
"Be safe, padawan. I'll see you tomorrow."
Tomorrow?
Suddenly Master Altis seemed like a father, inquiring about his daughter's plans. He got up and started to leave when the hatch summons sounded. I looked at him and smiled. "Good night, Master." I opened the hatch and walked out to meet my date.
Geith took me to a club called the Smash House. Like all the local buildings, the facade was plain and indistinguishable, but the inside was a sea of flashing colors and strobe lights. The entrance was at the top of a flight of skeletal stairs that overlooked the rest of the House.
"What do you think?" Geith shouted over the thumping music.
"It's...loud." I shouted back.
He grabbed my hand. "Stay close," he said, and led me down the stairs. "You ever go clubbing?"
"What?"
We were on our way to the dance floor when--
"Geith! My man!"
Geith turned to the man approaching us. He was short, and thin, with blond hair sculpted to perfection. Geith grabbed his hand and slapped his back.
"Evin! What's up?"
"So much, man. What're you doin'?"
Geith grabbed my hand and led me over. "Evin, this is Callista. Callista, my best friend, Evin."
Evin lifted my hand and flips his over so my palm rested on the back of his hand. "Enchanted." He said, and gallantly kissed my knuckles.
His touch sent a chilled shock through me, a familiar sensation.
"Callie, you okay?" Geith touched my shoulder.
"Huh? I'm fine." I looked at Evin again. His blue eyes were looking at me coldly. They flicked back and forth, as if searching for a memory.
"So, man," he continued. "I gotta talk to you about--" he glanced briefly at me, as if this was something I wasn't supposed to hear. "--that bad line of speeders. I think there's gonna be a recall."
Geith shook his head. "Not now, man. Stop by my place later."
Evin nodded. "Fine. I'm out." He bent in an exaggerated bow and disappeared.
Geith took my hand again. "Who was that?" I asked.
"Just a friend of mine. Don't worry about him. He's just a little off."
I nodded.
"Come on. Let's eat." he said, and we sat down. The next thing I knew, a towering pillar of gray fur stood next to our table. I craned my neck upwards to look at its face. I'd never seen a Wookiee before.
"Satellite, how's it goin'?" Geith asked. "Callista, I'd like you to meet Satellite, the owner of this illustrious facility.
Satellite growled and patted my head with one large paw. He brought our food and tall glasses of bubbling green liquid. Geith smiled and picked up his glass. "Don't drink this too fast. To your health." We clinked glasses and he downed his quickly I watched him for a moment, the swallowed a large gulp. It burned like acid all the way down, past my lungs. My eyes widened in surprise. Geith laughed. "I warned you." His eyes twinkled. "Don't drink much, do you?"
I shook my head, and he raised his eyebrows.
"At all," I admitted, and he laughed again.
We talked for a long time. Geith was twenty-three and native to Corellia. He'd traveled the galaxy with his father, managing his mechanics business. His father had died a year ago, and the company had gone bankrupt. He'd been on Bespin ever since, working to pay the rent.
After dinner, we left and walked the streets of the city, still talking. He asked me questions, about my training, my family, my life. I found myself telling him everything about me, anything he wanted to know. I'd never been so open with someone, and now that I was, I felt more free. His hand slipped around mine comfortingly as I told him about my parents, my mother who killed her self and my father who grew too distant to be a real father. After a few minutes, I started getting uncomfortable, so I changed the subject.
"Geith, why are you helping us?"
He looked at me curiously. "What do you mean?"
"Why aren't you asking for anything in return?"
Geith stopped me underneath a streetlight. "I didn't have to. I got you." He touched my face. His fingers were trembling. "From the moment I saw you, I knew I'd do anything to see you smile."
And so I did.
Geith's apartment was above his garage. Just inside the door was his sitting room, but he didn't have any furniture.
"What--" I started to question.
"Pillows are cheaper, and, if you ask me, more comfortable." He explained jokingly, taking off my coat and tossing it on the floor. "Can I get you anything?" he asked, moving to the kitchen, which also didn't have a table or chairs. He leaned on the counter and looked at me.
I shook my head. "No, thanks," I said, and her returned to me, wrapping his arms around my waist.
"You look beautiful," he said.
I smiled. "Thanks."
He looked down at my hands on his chest, touched one of them with his own. "Callie, I--I really, really like you. I don't think I've ever met anyone like you. Look at you--you're honest, you know? You're real." He laughed and shook his head. "I'm sorry, I don't do this very often. I have no idea what I'm supposed to say."
I smiled, and touched his lips with my finger. "Neither do I," I said. "Let's do this--let's not say anything."
Geith kissed my fingertips, then my palm. After that, he moved to my mouth. I closed my eyes and kissed him back in my own self-imposed darkness. His hands slipped around my waist again, pulling me against him. His lips were warm and soft, his mouth barely open and his stray breaths brushing against my cheeks. Dimly, I was are that his fingers cad crept beneath my shirt.
I remembered a time when I was twelve years old. Papa's new wife Anela had preached to me about the value of saving sex until after marriage.
Geith tugged at the hem of my shirt, and I lifted my arms so he could pull it over my head.
I never listened to Anela anyway.
Geith kissed me again and again, long into the night.
I awoke to darkness, disorientation. I was lying on the floor among pillows and blankets, one of which was bunched around my waist as I laid on my side. My arms clutched a pillow as if it were another body. I had expected Geith to be in the place of the pillow, bur I was alone in his bedroom.
The walls were paper thin in his apartment, and the door was open a crack, so it was easy to hear the voices in the next room:
"What's your problem, man? I thought you were down with this."
"No one was supposed to get killed, Evin," Geith said. My muscles clinched. Killed...Evin's voice was familiar to me now that it wasn't muffled by the music of the Smash House. Now his face fell into its place.
It had been Evin who had killed Liet Mor-Kasa.
And Geith was in on it.
"He was going to die anyway!" Evin said. "I did him a favor, killing him when I did. Hey, do you have anything to drink around here? Somethin' hard? I'm parched, and whipped."
The sound of a refrigeration unit opening, and glass changing hands, then a bottle opening.
"That's not why we took the job. We're just supposed to catch them."
Evin exhaled loudly after a long gulp of whatever Geith had given him. "Why do you care so much, man? Everyone says they're getting too powerful. Do you really want to be governed by people who can control minds?"
"Evin, maybe they're not all like that?"
"What's up with you, man? Why'd you change your mind so suddenly?" He slammed his bottle on the counter. "Is it that chick?"
"None of your business, Evin. I want out."
"You can't. You're in too far."
"No. I'm out. That's it."
Silence. I listened intently. Evin was rolling the bottom of the bottle on the counter. "Fine," he said finally. "You're out."
"And you are, too. Out. Now."
I heard footsteps, and closed my eyes again. A shadow passed over me, paused. I felt Evin's eyes on me, felt him contemplating, thinking about me and what Geith had said.
Then I heard his thoughts, as loudly as if he'd spoken it:
Jedi.
Then the door closed, and another opened and slammed shut. The bedroom door opened again, and Geith knelt beside me in the pillows. He touched my face, brushing hair back. I opened my eyes. He looked taken aback for an instant, but then relaxed. "Callie,"
I knew I could trust Geith. He hadn't known I was listening; everything he'd told Geith was true.
"I saw Evin kill a man, Geith," I said, y voice sounding weird and raspy in my ears. "Last night."
"Two nights ago, actually," he corrected, confirming at the same time.
I swallowed, afraid to know the truth. "I know that you weren't there, but...did you have anything to do with it?"
Geith shook his head.
"That was the job you were talking about?"
"Yeah. Well, pat of it. We're supposed to catch any Jedi we find, not kill them."
I sat up, my confidence in him shaken enough that I needed to hear it come from his own mouth. "Geith, can I trust you?"
Geith sighed, and touched my chin. "Callista, I will never, ever betray you," There was no deception in his heart. I held out my arms, and hugged him. Releasing a relieved sigh, he held my close, kissing my shoulder. We laid back in the pillows and gazed at the ceiling. Geith traced circles on my stomach, tickling electricity through my body. "He's my best friend, Callie, but I would kill him if he ever tried to hurt you."
I snuggled closer under his arm. "Do you think he'll come after you? You were probably hired to hunt Jedi sympathizers too, right?"
"Yes." He said grimly. "I don't know. I'd like to think that he won't, but that sounds really naive."
We laid in silence for a long time, just enjoying the feel of each other's flesh, the sound of our breath, the scent of our dried sweat. Geith felt warm, and good, loving. he'd melted part of the hard shell I'd built around myself, and I felt happy, truly happy, for this first time in a long time.
"What time is it?" I murmured.
Geith looked at his chronometer. "A little after eight."
"Blast," I said, sitting up and reaching for my clothes. "Master Altis is probably wondering where I am."
Geith sat up and took my arm, and started kissing my neck. "No...stay. He's a Jedi, he knows where you are."
"And that's so much better," I said jokingly, turning my head and kissing him. He returned to the back of my neck and my shoulders. I wrenched away. "No fair!" I shrieked and laughed as he held my strongly. "I have to go!" I said with another laugh. I looked at him and stopped struggling. Finally, he released me.
"Yeah...I have to open up the garage. I'll walk you out, though."
I got dressed and Geith walked me through the garage to his front door. As he opened it for me, I looked back at him. "I had a wonderful time."
He kissed me. "I certainly hope so, because so did I." He said.
I smiled and stepped out the door. "I'll call you later." I said. I walked down the street, looking over my shoulder at him. He smiled at me and waved. I waved back, then turned and continued down the street, smiling happily.
When I got back to the Cloak and Dagger, I looked over my shoulder, wary after overhearing the conversation at Geith's apartment. Then I ran up the ramp and closed it behind me.
Master Altis was sitting in the lounge, eyes closed. I knew he knew that I was there; it was pointless to try and sneak past.
"Good morning" he said, opening his eyes to look at me.
"Good morning, Master." I itched to tell him about Evin.
Patience.
"I assume dinner went...well?" he said wryly, raising and eyebrow.
I smiled. "You could say that."
He raised a finger. "Be mindful of your thoughts, padawan. I should warn you, then Council frowns on relationships between Jedi and non," he paused. "Fortunately, your Geith isn't non-Jedi."
I dipped my head. "What?"
"That is, if he chooses to train. I sensed his power when we were negotiating for the cloakers. I'm sure you can convince him," he added, with a gleam in his eye.
I nodded. "I think he should join us either way,"
"Thoughts, Callista."
"Not just that!" I said defensively. "He's in danger. I found out who killed Liet Mor-Kasa."
Master Altis looked at me in surprise. "Who?"
"Geith's best friend, Evin Filipiak. I heard them talking about it this morning." I thought back to the conversation. "Master, someone is hiring mercenaries to roundup Jedi. Evin is just killing them for the hell of it."
Master Altis nodded. "Then we best leave."
I looked at him curiously. "But, Master, won't he just follow us? Wouldn't it be to the Jedi's advantage to kill him?"
"But then they could condemn us. If we evade them, our hands remain innocent."
I nodded. "Yes, Master."
"The Chu'unthor will be arriving tonight. We'll leave as soon as we can retreat to it. Stay and do what you can to help, then you can go for Geith later tonight. Bounty hunters don't strike in the light."
There wasn't much to do to ready the ship for departure, so I spent the afternoon in the guest cabins, poring over Master Altis' history book plates. I was in there until nightfall, when Geith arrived, cloakers in tow.
"Callista!" Master Altis called. "Could you come and help us, please?"
I shut off the bookplate and went to the cargo hold. The entire crew was unloading the two cloakers. I swung down to the next level and started working behind Geith. He looked over his shoulder and smiled at me. "Hi," he said under his labored breath.
"Hey, I need to talk to you," I said. "Let's finish here."
"Okay."
We worked together and pushed both of the cloakers onto the ship. With the weight dispersed evenly among us, it wasn't as difficult, but Master Altis told me not to use my powers: "Never take the easy way out."
Once we'd finished, I took Geith's hand and led him away from the rest of the group. "Geith," I told him. "We're leaving tonight."
"What?" Geith's face fell with confusion. "What are you talking about?"
He gripped my arms, and I put my hands over his. "It's dangerous here," I said. "For all of us. Even you." I looked pointedly at him. "Master Altis wants to train you as a Jedi. You can come with us, and be safe." I touched his face. "Be with me."
Geith looked at me until Master Altis joined us. "Ah, did you tell him, Callista?" he asked.
Geith and I lowered our eyes and our hands, and took a step back.
"Yes, Master," I said, clearing my throat.
He looked at Geith. "And what do you think, boy?"
"I'm not sure, Master Altis. This is all going so fast I haven't quite had a chance to catch up." Geith replied. He looked at me, and I stared back, thinking Please...please do this.
He looked down, then up again. I don't know what to do.
"Evin won't spare you because you're his friend, Geith. He will kill you."
"We don't know that." Geith argued.
"Master Altis knows that. I know that. You know you can trust me."
"Geith," Master Altis said. "Loyalties do not always last forever. You and your friend have parted ways. Now you must protect yourself."
"I don't do that by turning my tail and running." Geith snarled. He was getting angry. I put a hand on his chest to calm him.
"We are removing ourselves from a dangerous situation, that's all. If you are to be a Jedi, you'll learn the difference."
"And that's another thing." Geith said, shifting his stance. "What is all this about me training to be a Jedi? I don't have the Force."
"But you do," Master Altis replied. "Geith, it's in your best interest to come with us. Please."
Geith looked at me again. His gaze lingered a little longer this time. Then he sighed and looked at his boots. "All right," he said, and smiled when I did. "All right. I'll come with you."
Master Altis nodded. "Excellent."
Geith jerked a thumb over his shoulder. "Can I go back to my apartment and get some stuff?"
"Hurry. Callista," Master Altis added. "Go ahead and go with him."
Geith grabbed my hand. "I'll drive this time."
We got back to Geith's garage and ran up to his apartment. He grabbed a duffel bag from his closet. "Callie, there's a cash box down in the office." He tossed me a ring of keys. "The one with the green paint on it. Open the box and take all the money out. I'll be ready by the time you get back."
I nodded and ran back down the stairs and knelt behind Geith's desk. I opened the cash box and grabbed the bundles of credit papers and coins. There was a bag in the box, too, so I stuffed everything inside it.
Geith clattered down the stairs, his bag over his shoulder. "You got it?" he said.
I nodded and held up the bag. "Let's go."
"Okay." He started the rest of the way down the stairs. "Oh, wait." he said, and stopped. "I forgot something. Come with me." I followed him up the stairs, and when he opened the door he grabbed my hand and put it over his shoulder and kissed me. He pulled me into the apartment and shut the door. "I think we have a minute."
I smiled. "Forgot something, did you?"
"Of course."
I kissed him again. Then, suddenly, I felt a flash of danger and opened my eyes. I pushed Geith away and touched my mouth. "Geith," I said, and he turned around.
Evin was standing in a dark corner, leaning against the wall, watching us.
"Please," he said. "Don't let me interrupt."