Colin and Genevieve had to tend to the Condrafurs before heading to Brace’s, so it was almost afternoon by the time they did. Genevieve was tense and quite for the entire ride over to Brace’s farm. Colin tried to engage her in conversation on the way to distract her, but her answers were monosyllabic. As they landed, he swore at the veritable crowd of people already gathered in front of the house and the lab. Apparently, word had spread quickly about what they were going to do even though it had all just been organized this morning. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Genevieve’s hands clasp more tightly together in her lap.

“You okay? Sorry about this. I told Brace that I wanted to keep it quiet. Word must have slipped out somehow,” he said and reached over to squeeze her wrist. “I’ll make sure we have some privacy.”

Brace strolled up to the side of the transport at that moment and spoke to Colin through the glass. “Hey Colin, Genevieve. Sorry about the crowd, but there wasn’t anything I could do about it. Scathans’s new helpmate, Mihna, was just so excited about it that she told one of the others and then it spread from there.”

“I understand,” Colin said. There really wasn’t much else to talk about on this planet. He’d known it would happen. He just hadn’t expected it to happen this fast. “Why don’t we at least go around the back to the far lot away from them and start there? They can watch from a distance.”

Brace reached up a hand to scratch the back of his neck, glanced behind him, then back at Colin. “Well, uh, we can do that if you think it’s best. But Hensk and his men have been here working all morning setting up the equipment and running base analysis on everything there so we can compare the pre- and post-data. It may take a little while for them to undo everything and move it.”

“Damn,” Colin swore, and let out a breath. He’d compiled an official report and sent it to Director Banes and the Demarcation Council. They would be awaiting a rapid follow up.

He turned to look back at Genevieve. “I’m sorry,” he said. “There’s just too many lives depending on this for us to delay.”

She paled at his words, eyes wide, their gold centers standing out like coronas.

“Brace, can you give us a moment?” Colin said. “We’ll be right there.”

“Sure thing,” he said and walked away.

Colin grasped both of Genevieve’s hands. “Just give it a go,” he said. “It can be like a warm up, a practice run. Doesn’t have to mean anything. You don’t even have to try hard. They’re just here because they need something to hope for. Think of it that way. You’re the hope that will keep us all striving to solve the problem.”

She stared at him. “That doesn’t make me feel better at all.”

“Too much pressure?” He nodded. “Right. Yeah, it is.” He wanted to kick himself. Instead he sighed and thought hard. Genevieve hadn’t asked to be put in this position, and he didn’t blame her for how she felt. Then, inspiration struck. He smacked the side of his head. “You know what? I’m completely wrong. How stupid can I be? They’re here to give you moral support. They just want to encourage you.”

“That’s better.” Her color was coming back. “Is it maybe a little true?”

“Absolutely.” He held her gaze with all the confidence he could muster. Please somebody prove me right.

Genevieve gave a curt nod. “Okay.”

“Besides, I can get rid of them after the first few minutes of recording. I can say that we want to make sure they don’t interfere with the readings. They’re bound to get bored anyway. Then it will be just us and the team.”

“No, they can stay,” she said. Her hands unclenched and her shoulders relaxed. “Maybe it will be better that way.”

“What do you mean?”

“Better for them to see with their own eyes and be disappointed all at once. That way, there’ll be no doubt and no hope after.” Her eyes glistened with the moisture of unshed tears.

He realized now what it must have been like for her. The way her kind must have looked at her initially with awe, anticipation, and respect. Then later with skepticism and disdain as she remained in limbo waiting. Poor Genevieve would have felt it all. He could only imagine how each shift of treatment, every shade of changed regard, would have pricked at her self-esteem, leaving tiny holes for it to leak out.

He couldn’t help himself. He pulled her into his arms in a tight hug, angry on her behalf and livid at the treatment her family had allowed her to endure. She came easily this time, without any stiffness, and he was glad that she was getting used to accepting affection. She badly needed it.

“Listen to me,” he said. “No one out there gives a good goddamn if you can do it or not. They’re just curious, that’s all. You’ve done plenty miraculous already, don’t forget that. I will still care about you after and so will they.”

Her hands crept around his waist in return and his soul soared at the feel of her opening to him. He squeezed her tighter.

“I’ll be okay,” she said. “But you’re right. I need to do something around here to contribute.” Her voice was soft and muffled against his chest. “Everyone else is.”

He laughed. “Is that what you’re worried about? In case you haven’t noticed, you already have, you already are. And if you don’t like what you’re doing. Well then, you know what? We’ll find you something else to do that you prefer. You’re smart. You can learn anything, and you’re just as able as anyone else. You’ll see. It’ll be okay.”

“Okay.”

“But right now, we all have to work together to make sure we don’t starve to death first,” he said and chuckled to take the sting out of his words.

She laughed as well. “Right. Let’s get this over with then so that you can stop wasting time and get back to more important things.” Then she drew in a long breath and eased back to dab the gathering moisture from her eyes with her fingertips. She looked better now, less tense. He was glad he’d stopped her for a little chat.

“That’s a great way to think of it. I’m with you. Let’s get it done then, shall we?” he said opening his door.

“Yes,” she said and opened her door as well.

––––––––

AS THEY WALKED FROM the transport toward the lab, those they passed murmured words of encouragement and gratitude to Genevieve. Some of the women laid a hand of her arm or shoulder, making her smile. Then Jileen emerged from the crowd, tucked her hand through Genevieve’s arm, and fell into step beside her.

“Did you really make those plants grow?” she asked.

“I have no idea,” Genevieve said honestly.

“Well, whatever made them grow, I’m just happy they did,” Jileen said. “They may save us all.”

“I’ll be right back, Genevieve,” Colin said, nodding his head at Jileen.

“I’ll take care of her, Colin,” Jileen said and patted Genevieve’s hand. “Men,” she said, once Colin was out of earshot. “All they care about is facts and figures. Are you okay, sweetie? You look nervous.”

“I’m fine,” Genevieve said. “Colin’s not like that. He cares about how I feel.”

Jileen arched a brow and smiled. “Does he?”

Mihna joined them. “Genevieve, Scathan and I rushed over as soon as we heard. Is it true? Did you make it happen?”

“She doesn’t know,” Jileen told her.

“Oh,” Mihna said and flapped a hand. “Well, I guess we’ll soon find out.”

Genevieve was glad to see that neither of them looked too disappointed that she didn’t know more. In fact, they seemed to take it in stride.

Jileen gave an exaggerated sigh. “Just the scientists wanting to be thorough is what I heard. I’m surprised it’s just Genevieve they’re testing and not all of us as a matter of fact. Maybe all of us women had something to do with it. We arrived together on the same day.”

“True!” Mihna said, then turned her compassionate brown eyes on Genevieve. “You poor thing. Jileen’s right. It’ll be the rest of us next.”

Suddenly, Genevieve felt better. From what they were saying, they didn’t seem to have all their hopes tied in her. “I still don’t know what they’re going to do to me,” she said.

“Nothing, too invasive I’m sure,” Jileen said. “Besides, you can always say no if you don’t like it.”

“No?” Genevieve echoed. “But there are so many lives to think of...”

Both Jileen and Mihna looked at her with consternation.

“So what?” Mihna said. “It doesn’t matter. You don’t have to give anything you don’t want to give. It’s unethical, no matter what the circumstances.”

“Exactly,” Jileen said with a firm nod of her head. “It’s arrogance to think that anyone can extract anything from you that you haven’t given permission for. Or has that Colin been telling you differently? I know they have a mission and all, but there’s a million ways to solve any problem and more than one team working on it at any given moment.”

“No,” Genevieve said, thinking it over. “It hasn’t been like that at all. He’s been very kind to me. Though I can’t say I’ve been the kindest to him...”

They both laughed.

“That’s how it goes,” Jileen said. “We aren’t saints either. Don’t worry about it. Everything will even out over time.”

“You’ll make up for it I’m sure,” Mihna winked at her. “I’ve seen how the two of you are together. Men have very short memories.”

Genevieve blushed remembering the kiss and the way they’d lain together in bed the other night. Just then, Colin walked up.

“Ready?” he asked. “Everything’s in place.”

She nodded.

“Good luck,” Jileen said.

“Let’s meet at the platform after,” Mihna said.

Then both of them hugged her, filling her with a spirit of friendship that was new and foreign and completely wonderful. “I don’t know how long I’ll be here,” she said. “And I might be tired afterward. Let’s meet at the platform tomorrow.”

“Promise?” Jileen said.

“I’ll make sure of it by delivering her there personally,” Colin said.

Genevieve waved and smiled at them as he led her away. With the women by her side, she’d started to relax. But now, as they approached the circle of equipment waiting for her, she was immediately stricken with the memory of the day she’d gone to appear before the Afrit tribunal.

Whole families usually turned up in the elaborate grand palace where it was held. But only Genevieve’s father had come with her that day because it was his duty. The rest of her family had decided that attending the second ritual would be a waste of their time, and embarrassing on top of that, as she’d given no hint of power so far. Even as young as she was then, Genevieve knew they wanted to avoid being affiliated with public acknowledgement of her failure. On that day, it wasn’t just her family who had abandoned her, she’d discovered that all bonds were null and void. Everyone had stared with various expressions as she’d passed to the front when her name was called. A few had been friendly, but most had held contempt. Usually some hint of a young Jinn’s power had already shown by this time, making it easy for everyone to know where they fit into society. But in her case, it wasn’t easy because she was an unknown.

The ones who had remained superficially friendly with her had done so because of her lineage and potential, but the rest had become aloof. No one wanted to make the mistake of socializing with a Jinn below their station, or worse, one who was no better than a human.

Everyone had high expectations of her, but nobody had a clue if her parents had been hiding her power or if she really was powerless. And it was in the terrifying silence, with only her father to accompany her, that she’d gone to stand in the circle of space before the dais where the most powerful ruling Afrit stood looking down at her in their rich flowing garments, curiosity brimming in their eyes. She remembered wondering if wagers had been made on what she would become, and how much they would lose after this moment.

“Genevieve, daughter of Lothan,” said Carburus, announcing her. He was dark-skinned and handsome, as all her kind were, with startling cobalt blue eyes. The only indication of his age were the few white hairs tempering the glossy black locks that swept back from his face in waves.

Genevieve’s father placed a shoulder on her hand and squeezed, not in reassurance, but in command.

“Yes, I am Genevieve,” she squeaked.

“Your daughter is lovely,” Sihtari, another tribunal member on the dais, said to Lothan. “What a great prize she will be if her talent matches her beauty. We have all long been curious about her.” Sihtari was tall and graceful with a slim curving waist and long legs, which she showed off wearing diaphanous skirts with long slits at the sides. Everyone knew that she’d created the grand palace, but it was whispered that she’d done it in a day and hadn’t even broken a sweat.

“Thank you, Sihtari,” Lothan replied with a bow and a step back and away from Genevieve.

Genevieve felt the distance he put between them like a slap in the face. He didn’t want to be brought down by her failure either. The next few minutes passed by in a blur as Carburus boomed out the names and talents of her immediate family to those in the space. Genevieve did her best to control her trembling and the thunderous pounding of her heart, by counting the squares of rose-colored marble on the floor. She was so focused on her task that she almost didn’t hear when they addressed her again.

“Very well, child. At this time, please demonstrate your gift.”

Genevieve’s father cleared his throat, jerking her back to the present, and she gave the carefully prepared statement her mother had made her memorize. “I regret to announce that my gift has yet to make itself known, honored ones. But I look forward to revealing it when next we meet.”

The cool gazes of Carburus and Sihtari and the burst of murmuring throughout the room made her blush from the roots of her hair to the nailbeds of her toes. With great shame, she’d turned and followed her father to stand at the back of the room while the others took their turn, the hollow feeling insider her growing with each new unveiling of magical skill.

She did her best to pull herself out of the memory and think about doing her best in the present. Today is nothing like that long-ago day.

As if to prove it, Colin never left her side while the scientists affixed sensors to her skin, which took a while. And, more than once, he even asked her if she was all right. Jileen waved and smiled when Genevieve glanced her way, and Brace pointed his thumbs in the air in a sign she guessed was encouragement. As she stood patiently while the scientists ran their tests on her, some of the tension left her as she listened to the good-natured chatter of the others.

And somehow through it all, her fears of rejection and isolation transformed into something new. How could she let these people down? They had so readily taken her in and accepted her. Even now they stood by her hoping for, but not demanding, the miraculous. They accepted that nothing might come of it. Strange how infectious hope could be, because even though she knew it would be useless, she swore she would try her best not to fail.

Her gaze then went to the scientists with their serious faces. They were doggedly certain something had happened, that she’d had some kind of influence on the plants, and they were determined to find out what it was. She found that, too, rubbing off on her. Hope unfurled itself inside of her with the grace of a dove waking and spreading its wings along with curiosity about what they would find. Was it possible she might learn something new about herself?

At long last, the scientists finished with their scans of her body. Colin moved from where he had been leaning over a terminal with one of them to press something into her hand. It was a cylinder that looked similar to the tubes she’d been using in his lab, only bigger.

“Nutrients for the saplings. Just do the same thing for them that you did for the Condrafurs.” He showed her how to trigger the sprayer at the end of it where to aim, then walked her closer to what she assumed was her starting point. “Just walk down and feed the ones in this row. At the end, turn around and come back doing the next one. These two rows have been set up with sensors and we’ll be capturing everything from here on out on the monitors. You’ll have to keep on the sensors you’re wearing, too, so we can measure what changes, if any, originate within you. Okay?” He touched his fingers to her cheek, looking concerned.

She nodded, and swallowed. “Ugh. Hold on.” She paused.

“What’s wrong?”

“Just picking up on that sick feeling again, you know?”

“What sick feeling?”

“From the trees. Don’t you feel that?”

He shook his head.

“Not even a little? It’s strong. Stronger than the Condrafurs were.” She took a deep breath.

“Wait a minute. Is that why you said yesterday that they felt better? You can actually feel them?”

“Yes. Do you mean no one else can?”

“No. Is there anything else to the feeling? Or just that it makes you sick?” He pressed a hand to her forehead. “You don’t have a temperature.”

“It’s because it’s not coming from me. It makes me feel nauseas. But it’s not physical. It’s something in their energy and I can feel it when mine comes into contact with it. Does that mean something?”

“I don’t know,” he said. “Maybe. I guess we’ll see. Are you okay to continue on?”

“Yes. I’ll be fine.”

“Do you want me to come with you?”

“No, I’ll be fine,” she said. “So, you just want me to feed them? That’s it? That’s all you want me to do?”

“Well, if you want to talk to them like you did the others, I think that would be good. The others don’t think it matters, but it’s better if we recreate exactly what you did before.”

“Okay,” she said.

He gave her a concerned look. “You sure you don’t want me to come with you?”

She smiled. “Like you said, better to make it the same as last time. I’ll pretend you’re in the office working, too.” On impulse, she rose up on her toes to kiss him on the cheek. “Thank you.”

His gaze immediately sharpened and the color in his face filled. “For what?”

“Everything.”

She turned away from him and went about her task, concentrating to make sure she did it just right. If there was even the smallest trace of magic in her, it could very well save all their lives. So, she put every bit of sheer will behind it that she could muster. She spoke to the Usilian Jerines as she had to the Condrafurs. She even lingered here and there to touch the fragile-looking trunks and branches as she fed them, thinking about how beautiful they would be once they were fully grown. She was so engrossed in what she as doing that she lost track of time. By the time she made her way back up the opposite row, she was exhausted.

“Great job,” said one of the men as he took the equipment from her while another began removing the sensors from her skin.

“Did you detect anything?” she asked anxiously.

“Too soon to tell,” he said. “But I’m sure Colin will let you know what we find out.”

She gazed over the rows she’d tended to. No change at all yet. The twisted red shoots looked the same as they had been when she’d begun.

“Hey, it’s too early, remember?” Colin said gently in her ear. “With the others, nothing happened until the next day.”

She let out a breath. “True.”

As they went to leave, Jileen followed for a few moments to squeeze Genevieve’s hand and say, “You did your best. We all know that. Now it’s up to fate.”