knelt. Doreem placed his hand onto Claire's hair. "By the power invested in me by the War Council, I formally adopt Claire Shannon, Rank Captain, birth date of..."
"... Two thousand seven hundred and twenty six standard," Claire murmured.
"... two thousand seven hundred and twenty six standard into Nagi family as witnessed by these five witnesses."
Doreem pulled the stylus out and carefully wrote her name into the Nagi family and passed the tablet to Charles. Charles signed, gave it to Tonya, then the tablet made the rounds to Lienne, Venturo, and finally Edu.
Doreem examined signatures. "So witnessed. Rise, my daughter."
"Thank you." Claire rose and faced Ven. "Kosta is my nephew. Please make the call, patron."
Lienne's eyes widened. "Patron... Patron?"
"I will explain later." Ven took Claire by the hand. "Come on. You four go down to the security forces station to collect the boy."
"Venturo!" Lienne yelled.
"Later." Ven kept a firm grip on her fingers and led her to his office. They stepped inside. He touched his desk. The glass walls turned opaque, and the faint whoosh announced the activation of the sound barrier.
Ven dialed the number on the digital projection on his desk. "Captain Alvarra."
A long moment dripped by.
"Kinsman Escana," a male voice said. "What may I do for you?"
"You've apprehended a boy, Kosta Nagi. He is a nephew of my client, Claire Shannon Nagi."
"My apologies, kinsman. The boy bears our AI mark."
"He was playing on the bionet and stumbled into the wrong sector. I will be happy to pay the fine."
A number ignited in the corner of the screen. Fourteen thousand credits. More than a quarter of her yearly salary.
Venturo flicked a stylus.
"Thank you, kinsman. Shall I deliver the boy to his home address?"
"No need. His grandfather is coming to pick him up. Thank you for your assistance. You have been most helpful."
"My honor, kinsman."
The screen went dark.
So easy. It was so easy for him.
Venturo looked at her. "Feel better?"
"Yes."
"Rank Captain," he said.
"Everyone must have a rank of some sort." Claire desperately wanted to run away. The door was locked. She wouldn't get far in any case. Besides, she had given her word.
"I will initiate the mind link now," he said. "I'll do all of the work. All you have to do is relax."
"Can I have a minute?" She began dismantling the shell from the inside.
"I'm afraid not." His mind enveloped hers, slicing through her surface thoughts.
Venturo's eyes widened. "What is this?"
She put more pressure on the shell.
"Open your mind, Claire."
"I'm trying. It takes time."
"I'm afraid I must insist."
His mind smashed into her shell. It cracked, caught between the pressure of their two minds. He pushed harder. The shell broke. Her mind soared free and she felt him surge through it, finding all of her secrets. He felt the raw grief of her team's death and the pain of the PPP. He saw the bionet, he saw the red cat, he saw himself as the beast on fire. He saw everything. She desperately tried to hide one tiny secret bit of self, the one filled with fantasies of him, with images of both of them, touching, kissing, making love, but he found it in a fraction of a second.
They sat across from each other, her mind glowing, completely revealed. He knew what she had done, why she had done it, and what she had been thinking while why doing it.
His jaw tightened. His mind was like a supernova, churning with anger and surprise.
Venturo rose from behind his desk and walked out.
Chapter Eight
Claire went home. There was nothing else left to do.
She walked into her apartment and sank onto the couch. She felt exhausted, drained, as if nothing of her remained except for a thin shadow.
She should have felt relief. Finally Venturo knew. She wouldn't have to lie anymore. Her position as a client meant she would be safe from deportation. None of it mattered next to the look on his face. He looked betrayed.
She did betray him, his trust, all while she had fantasized about him. She felt small, shamed, and pathetic. She would cry, except she had no tears, so she curled into a ball hugging her knees.
A knock sounded through the door. Claire's mind soared, checking.
Venturo.
She pulled her knees tighter to her. No.
"Open the door, Claire."
No.
"Open the door."
She closed her eyes and willed him to go away.
An image blossomed in her mind: Venturo, nude, golden, his big body bracing hers. She was shameless and naked. His lips trailed the line of her neck.
Her whole body shivered in excitement, conjuring