Peter Hamilton - The Evolutionary Void

His third hand pushed the door open. He wondered just how many times he’d come to this place over the years. How many confrontations had there been by now? Weariness and malice mingled to produce a rogue thought: I should just demolish this place, get the city to make a park . But the nest probably would reverse the action.

Ranalee was waiting, hair perfectly styled in narrow curves, long pale-gray dress of fine-knit wool. The soft fabric clung to her, revealing a belly heavy from the fifth month of pregnancy.

It was a sight that brought Edeard up short. All the words he’d rehearsed, ready to snap at her, withered away.

She caught his surprise and smiled complacently. “Dear Edeard, is something the matter?”

“I … didn’t know.” He waved a hand toward her, embarrassed, mainly at himself.

“And why should you? You have a city to run.” She poured some wine and held the glass out to him. “It’s a lovely Sousax; try it. I can’t have any myself, not in this delicate condition.”

“No thank you.”

“Afraid I’m trying to poison you?”

He sighed. “No.”

Her smile turned mocking, and she let out a theatrical moan as she sank down into a long settee. “Then why are you here? Kristabel not interested in you anymore? I have several truly lovely girls at the moment, and they’re all very discreet.”

“Don’t push me, Ranalee.”

“I’m trying to be helpful.”

“Then tell me about Tathal.”

Her glance slipped down to her full belly. “What about him?”

“Did you ever …” Then he realized why she was looking at her unborn and groaned. “Oh, Lady, it’s not?”

“Of course it’s his.” Her hand touched the bulge fondly. “He is stronger than you in so many ways. My own deceits were nothing before him; he saw through me so easily, swifter than you ever did. But he forgave me: He allowed me to join the nest, and in return I taught him my art.”

Edeard examined what he could of her thoughts shimmering beneath a thick shield. The gaps were the tops of chasms opening into darkness. It was as if her head were filled with ebony shadow. That wasn’t Ranalee. “He used domination on you.”

Her smile was one of sensual recollection. The shadows began to take shape, revealing themselves as the nest members. They engulfed her, obliterating sight, sound. She couldn’t move, couldn’t cry out. Then she was suddenly no longer alone in the darkness. He was there with her. Fear was surpassed by consummate pleasure. She welcomed it, turning to the source, weeping her gratitude. “It was so exciting to see all I’d hoped for finally come to pass. His strength is intoxicating, Edeard. He is raw, like you used to be, but not the shackled fool that you were. He is free and unafraid. My child will be as glorious as his father.”

“That’s not you talking.”

“Wrong as always, Edeard. I didn’t need the encouragement the others of the nest received. My thoughts already ran along these paths. He held my hand and took me exactly where I wanted to go. That was a kindness you never showed.”

“So you taught him domination.”

“He already knew. I simply showed him subtlety where all he had before was crude strength.”

“Lady! Do you have any idea what you’ve helped create? What you’ve let loose on the rest of us?”

Her hands tightened on the bulge. “Yes,” she hissed. “I’m not blinded by him, Edeard. I’m not like the rest of the nest. I admire him. I belong with him, and he knows that; why else would he take me as consort? My child will be a part of Querencia’s future, a big part.” She laughed. “Perhaps he will even be stronger than his father.”

“Your dream,” he said brokenly. “But he’s taken it for his own.”

“Join us, Edeard,” she said, leaning forward eagerly. “This could be your moment, your real triumph.”

He turned and walked for the door. “You know the answer to that.”

“Yes.” She paused. “Thankfully, not all of your family is as stupid and reactionary as you.”

He stopped, knowing he was doing exactly what she wanted. A puppet to her manipulations again. “What do you mean?”

Her answer was a triumphant smile. “I told you once we would have your blood.”

“What have you done?”

“I have done nothing. But all children leave their parents behind eventually. You know this in your heart.”

People turned around to look in astonishment as the Waterwalker slid up through the solid pavement of Boldar Avenue. None of them said anything; none of them moved. They simply watched as he strode purposefully to the door of Apricot Cottage, his black cloak flapping as if a hurricane were blowing. Only then did he notice their placid interest, the identical calmness. The residents of Boldar Avenue belonged to the nest.

Edeard sensed them inside, upstairs in the big lounge. Marilee and Analee were with them, their thoughts content, fluttering with excitement. Not quite their thoughts as they used to be.

Edeard was enraged; his third hand smashed down the front door. He marched up the stairs.

Tathal had a knowing smile on his lips as Edeard burst into the lounge; it was echoed by the faces of the nest. Marilee and Analee wore it, too. They were standing on either side of Tathal: Marilee with her head resting on his shoulder, Analee with her arm around his waist.

“Undo it,” Edeard demanded.

Tathal gave Analee an indolent look, then glanced around at Marilee. “No,” he said. Marilee smiled adoringly up at him.

“I will destroy you.”

“If you could, you would have done so by now. This was all the proof I needed. Besides, your daughters were almost a part of us already. They had learned to share.”

“Don’t be cross, Daddy,” Marilee urged.

“Be happy for us.”

“This is so wonderful.”

“Belonging like this.”

“Now everyone can share and grow like we always did.”

“Everyone will be happy together.”

Tears threatened to blind Edeard. “You did this to them.”

“We are together,” Tathal said. “We are happy.”

“Because you tell everyone to be.” Edeard was certain he wouldn’t stand a chance against them if he went on the offensive. That didn’t leave him much choice.

“Please, Waterwalker, join us, join me; you and I are equals. As Mayor, you can make the transition so smooth, so painless.”

“Not a chance, as the Lady is my witness.”

Tathal took a slow step forward. “You’ve already done it once.”

“What?”

“I’ve been so curious. Exactly what is your power? Is it more than communing with the city? We all have that now.”

“Give this up,” Edeard said. “Now. I will not ask again.”

“So curious.” He took another step forward. “You know you cannot defeat us, yet you make threats. I see through you. You believe, you truly believe, you have the upper hand.” He cocked his head to one side, regarding Edeard in fascination. “What is it? What have I not got?”

“My daughters first.”

“I saw something when I studied you at Colfal’s shop. There was a certainty about you, a confidence that I’ve never seen in anyone before. You think yourself unassailable. Why?”

It was all Edeard could do not to shrink away as Tathal moved closer still; it was like a kitten being stalked by a fil-rat. “Let. Them. Go. Free.”

“I’ve already seen what happens if you win,” Tathal murmured.

“What?”

“Your words. Spoken in the seconds before you slaughtered Owain and his conspirators. I have watched the memory of the chamber below the Spiral Tower many times. You were impressively brutal, Waterwalker. Even Mistress Florrel was ripped apart by that frightening gun. An old woman, though not a harmless one, I imagine. But what did you mean by that? I have been sorely puzzled. You spoke as if you’d seen the future.”