I have to say something! I have to tell her! I can’t let her believe it’s that bastard Harryx who loves her! I have to find a way to let her know who I really am so I can bring her back with me to the Mother Ship.
The thoughts ran in a loop through Reeve’s head as they left the temple and walked to their hovercar and yet, he couldn’t think of how he could tell Nallah the truth. What if she thought he was talking about the damn Hallorook legend again? How could he make her see that it was he, Reeve, who loved her and wanted to take her away from this fucking hellhole of a planet and be with her forever?
Maybe I should just say it—just say it out. There’s no one around—the parking lot is full but everyone is in the Temple. Maybe I should just tell her the truth…
“Sweetheart,” he began, nerving himself up for what he had to say. “Remember how you said I’m like a different person now?”
“Yes…” Nallah looked up at him uncertainly. “But a good person—a kinder person,” she said softly. “I like you like this, Harryx.”
“I’m glad you do, baby.” He smiled down at her. “But remember how we were talking the other night about the idea of one person’s spirit being in another person’s body? And I don’t mean that damn Hallorook thing you were talking about,” he added quickly. “I’m talking about a good spirit—a friendly spirit—maybe taking over the body of someone else.”
“Yes, but…that couldn’t be,” Nallah objected. “The Hallorook is only a legend—I know that. And the idea of one person’s mind or spirit getting into another person’s body…it just silly, isn’t it?”
“Suppose for a minute it’s not silly,” Reeve said earnestly. “Can you see how having one person’s spirit in another person’s body would make it seem like the person who was taken over was a completely different man?”
“Well…yes…” Nallah was looking at him warily now. “But…what are you trying to tell me, my husband? Surely you don’t mean that—”
“Ah, Arch-General Parokk—there you are!”
The voice from behind them startled Reeve so badly that he turned at once, putting himself between Nallah and the perceived threat. One hand rested on the butt of his blaster, ready to shoot if necessary.
But it was only Grand General Viceroy with a fragile looking woman who appeared to be at least thirty years his junior at his side. Presumably, his new wife, Reeve thought sourly. He wondered what had happened to the old one.
“Hello, Grand General,” he said, saluting formally. “How are you this fine day?”
“Of fine, fine—just finished our Ritual.” Harryx’s boss waved away his greeting as though it was unimportant. “Listen, I’m damned glad I caught you, Parokk,” he said to Reeve. “I know today is still technically a holiday but I need you to come in to the office right now—at once.”
“At once?” Reeve frowned. “But, Grand General, I’m still wearing my, uh, temple gear.” He gestured vaguely to the long black robe he was wearing. Under it he had on only the crotchless leather trousers and no shirt at all. It wasn’t something he wanted to wear for a long period of time—in fact, he couldn’t wait to get out of it.
The Grand General frowned at him.
“Listen Parokk, I wouldn’t bother you but we’ve had a breakthrough at the Temporal Displacement lab. I know you were interested to see how it works so I thought—”
The wormhole lab—that’s what he’s talking about! Reeve felt a surge of adrenaline shoot through him.
“Of course!” he exclaimed at once. “Yes, Grand General. Just let me take my wife home safely and change and I’ll be at the office at once.”
“No time for that—just put on the change you have in your office. Your little wife can walk home with mine—no one will bother them. Everyone is at the Temple today.”
Reeve didn’t like that one damn bit but it was true that the Temple of the God-King wasn’t very far at all from Harryx’s domicile and at least Nallah would have company on the walk. He would never normally leave her alone like this but it sounded like this was his chance to access the wormhole lab.
He turned to look at her.
“Sweetheart, will you be all right going home with…” He looked at the other woman and then at the Grand General pointedly, waiting for the name of the other man’s wife.
“Oh, Shifeenah,” the Grand General said. “This is my new wife, Shifeenah.” He nodded at her and then at Nallah. “You two little ladies can get home fine together, can’t you?”
“Yes, oh my husband,” Shifeenah said and Nallah nodded at Reeve.
“It’s all right, my husband. I will be well. Go and do your important work.”
“I will.” But still Reeve lingered. There was so much he needed to say to her—so much he needed to explain. Would the retinal scan wake up Harryx from his coma-like slumber and bring the evil bastard back to his own body? If so, Reeve would fight for as long as he could for control but at some point he would be kicked out—that was inevitable.
I’ll have to come back here as soon as I can, he told himself. Get the Mother Ship to fold space for me so I can get back to her immediately.
Then again, maybe he would be able to avoid the retinal scan if he went right away with the Grand General. And after sabotaging the Hascions’ research, he could pretend to go back into a coma and come back later to get Nallah. If she would come with him, that was.
I’ll convince her—I know I can, Reeve told himself. But it would be a hell of a lot easier to do if Harryx was out of the way.
Let it happen the second way, he prayed silently. Let me be able to complete this mission smoothly and without waking my host.
“All right, sweetheart,” he murmured at last. Taking Nallah by the shoulders, he leaned down and kissed her gently on the cheek, just above her veil. “Just be careful and get home safely. I’ll see you later.” Leaning closer he murmured in her ear, “I love you.”
When he pulled back, Nallah’s eyes were shining with happiness.
“I love you too, my husband,” she murmured. “So much. Be well and I will see you soon.” She nodded at the Grand General’s wife and the two women set off across the parking lot, heading for the nearest footway.
“Well now that they’re out of the way, let’s go to the office!” the Grand General exclaimed. “You can drive, Parokk. Where’s your hovercar?”