The moment that the administrators decide to use Trala and her sister Noma as holders to confine the mind of the planet, they have to act. Their plan has always been to surrender themselves to the world but when Trala is taken and Noma is sent elsewhere her heart breaks as her twin disappears.
Trala has her work cut out for her in remaking the social structure of her world and defending against layers of invasion she was not prepared for. Improvising becomes her watchword but when a man made of shadows watches her back she doesn’t feel so alone.
More From Tales of the Citadel
Trala Sheewah walked to another status meeting. Three new psychics had been installed but there were signs of Resicor rising all over the globe.
Attimmorn was already waiting at the boardroom table.
Her sister Noma came in a moment after she took her seat and the other three keepers took their positions around the table.
“Now that we are all here, I am going to tell you that we are doubling our program. You will all have two holders to keep track of. The project is getting stronger and we need to subdue it.”
Trala gave him a long look. “We are burning through psychics at an accelerated rate as it is. How will more be better when the project is just getting stronger?”
He gave her a tired look and he waved his hand.
Trala jumped when she saw guards and women in keeper’s robes. Attimorn gave her a sad look.
“Trala Sheewah, you have been promoted to holder.”
Noma screamed a denial and jumped up.
Attimorn rubbed a hand through his hair. “You too, Noma. You might be able to buy the regular holders a break for fifteen minutes.”
Trala fought against the grip of the guards and ignored the sad eyes of the keepers who watched her and her sister hauled out of the boardroom and toward the holding area.
It was time. There was no way that they could get out of this any other way. She met her sister’s gaze and Noma ran.
With short hard strikes they broke free of the guards and ran for the edge of the crevice that led to the soul of their world.
Shouts sounded behind them as they jump and in the air they grip each other’s hands.
Trala met her sister’s wide dark eyes as they dropped down below the level where they could be seen. “Now!”
Trala called out the light, and Noma called the darkness. Together they went from falling to flying slowly toward the beating heart of their world.
Resicor contacted her with a low whisper, “Is it time?”
“I hope so because I just lost my job.”
Noma rolled her eyes. “Funny, Trala. I lost my job too.”
“Ladies, ladies. We have a job to do. Are you ready?”
As one, they intoned, “We are ready.”
“Excellent. Join with me children, but this is going to hurt.”
Trala held tight to her sister’s hands as the light exploded around them and she was in her element.
And then came the pain.
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