Ghost Planet (27 page)

Murphy frowned. “I’m not an expert on these things, but I don’t think it’s seasickness.”

“Hmm, maybe not.” I bent and kissed his lips, which were closer to their normal size. “I’ll be back soon.”

He touched my cheek. “Don’t go too far.”

I rolled my eyes. “That’s hilarious.”

“Elizabeth, I’m serious. I can’t stand to see you in pain because of me. You don’t know how hard it was that first day at the counseling center. I walked away from you believing I was about to prove the scan wrong. When I heard you cry out in pain—it was the beginning of the end for me.”

I raised my hand to his face, grazing his bottom lip with my thumb. “Is that true, Murphy?”

“It went against every instinct I have, treating you that way. If you come back before I start worrying about you, I’ll tell you why.”

*   *   *

My only thought as I left our apartment was to climb up on the ledge and watch the sun rise over the rock. But when I reached the bottom of the stairs I kept walking straight, like I’d done our first day in camp.

My state of mind today was completely different. I wasn’t running away. I didn’t feel angry or anxious. I wanted to stretch my legs. To feel the cold air moving against my face.

I walked at a leisurely pace, attentive for the signs I was pushing the limits, while my mind worked to process all the things Murphy had said to me. The things he
wouldn’t
say were almost more telling.

“Elizabeth?”

Startled out of my musing, I glanced up to find Blake and another man standing before me. They both wore waist harnesses and looked like they were preparing to climb the sheer rock face behind them.

Where am I?
I wondered. I had apparently arrived here on autopilot, and couldn’t even have said how long I’d been walking.

“Good to see you out this morning,” said Blake. “Saved me coming to check how you’re doing.”

It was one of the hardest things I’d ever done, not striking him across the face for what those men had done to Murphy. I was sure Blake had condoned it, even ordered it. But Murphy had asked me to let it go.

“We’re fine,” I said dryly.

“I understand Dr. Murphy and the men I left to keep an eye on him had an argument that turned ugly.”

“Would you be referring to the brutal, unprovoked beating that left him with two broken ribs?” Now that it was on the table, I couldn’t help myself. “I guess your host protocol only applies when it’s convenient.”

Much to my disappointment, Blake didn’t rise to the attack. “I doubt it comes as any surprise to you that Murphy has made some enemies here. But this is an opportunity I’d advise you to use to your advantage. It’s a perfect time for you to assert yourself. To take control of your bond.” He gazed over my shoulder, scanning behind me. “Where is Dr. Murphy, anyway? I expected his injuries would keep him inside for at least a few days.”

“It’s going to be more than a few days.”

Blake’s eyes snapped to my face. “What?” He stared at me so hard instinct urged me to turn and run. “You’re telling me he’s still in your quarters?”

“That’s what I’m telling you. I came out for some air, and now I’m going back.”

I turned on my heel—and froze.

Looking back across the valley, the overhang seemed small and distant. I had no memory of the scenery I’d passed in my walk, or of crossing the little footbridge over the river.

But I must have done so, because that morning I had covered four or five times the distance I’d covered yesterday—four or five times the distance I’d
ever
covered in my attempts to walk away from Murphy.

Awakenings

“Murphy must have followed me,” I murmured, starting back across the valley. Of course he had. He’d been worried. He hadn’t wanted me to go. No way I could have made it this far without him.

No way
he
could have made it this far, period.

“Wait, I’ll come with you,” Blake replied. I heard the clanking of metal as he unfastened his harness and gear.

But I didn’t wait. I walked faster. Soon I was jogging, and when I made it to the bridge without seeing Murphy, I
ran
.

I bounded up the stairs two at a time, muttering a distracted apology at two women who’d just exited the apartment with the ivy growing under the door. They stood watching me as I continued up, flinging open our door.

There stood Murphy, startled, and obviously relieved to see me. “Just in time for tea.”

“Murphy! Oh, God!” I threw my arms around him.

“
Ompf
.” He faltered backward, bending to protect his ribs as his arms slipped around my waist. “What’s all this?”

“Have you been here the whole time I’ve been gone?”

“I haven’t been out to the shops, if that’s what you—why are you crying?”

I clung to him, shaking, unable to right myself in the tidal wave of emotion.

“Elizabeth, you’re scaring me.” He pulled my head up, forcing me to look at him. “Has someone hurt you?”

“No—no—I—” I struggled to control my breathing. “Murphy, I think I’m free.”

He blinked at me, not getting it.

“
Detached,
Murphy. I walked all the way across the valley, to Devil’s Rock.
Alone
.”

Understanding flickered in his eyes. “Jesus. Are you sure?”

“Yes, I—well,
no
. As sure as I
can
be.” Fresh tears ran down my face. “There was no pain. No compulsion to turn back. I can’t believe it, Murphy. It doesn’t feel real.”

Murphy smiled, cradling my face in his hands. “I’m so happy for you, Elizabeth.”

Overwhelmed as I was, I didn’t miss the note of something off in his response. “Aren’t you happy too?”

“Of course I am. It’s the best possible news.”

Studying his face, I perceived a thin film of concealment. “What is it, Murphy?”

He hesitated, jaw muscles clenching. “If I said even a single word to dampen this moment for you, I’d never forgive myself.”

I gripped his shoulders, bracing myself. “Now you’re scaring
me
.”

He pulled me against him, muttering, “I’m sorry, love. It’s nothing at all.” He gave an uneasy laugh. “I’m a selfish bastard. It’s the best thing for both of us, I know. We shouldn’t be together by default.”

I pulled back and looked at him, more confused than ever. “I don’t understand you.”

“It’s no wonder. I’m not making any sense. It’s only that … well, you can do as you like now. You don’t need me anymore.”

Finally it sank in, and my heart vaulted into my throat.

“Oh, Murphy. You’re wrong about that.”

“Am I?”

I raised my lips to his neck, murmuring against his salty skin. “Clever of you, and not gentlemanlike at all. Making me fall in love with you, so that when I detached I’d be as helpless as ever.”

The smile that blossomed took over his whole face, reminding me of the first day we’d met. “Repeat that bit in the middle—the bit about falling.”

His arms tightened around me, giving me the strength to form the words. “I love you, Murphy.”

“
Do
you, now.”

He kissed me. Our bodies molded together and I slipped into the stream of warm, charged air—our connection opened spontaneously. I felt a surge of relief not to have lost this part of our bond.

Murphy’s desire flooded through me and I gasped, clutching at him. My own desire arced in response.

“Ah,
Elizabeth
…”

I guided him backward toward the bed. “Murphy, I need to…”

“Mmm, yes. Be gentle with me.”

Crouching over him, I planted a kiss behind his ear. “Lie very still.”

I had just pulled off my shirt and tossed it away when our door flew open. Murphy sat up, sheltering me against his chest as Blake burst in with three others carrying rifles.

“Get up, both of you,” ordered Blake. He picked up my shirt and flung it at me, and I yanked it back on.

“What’s going on?” Murphy demanded.

One of the men darted forward and struck Murphy in the head with his rifle.

“
Stop it!
” I cried as he crumpled onto the bed, groaning in agony.

As I moved to help him, Blake grabbed my arm. “Let’s go!” he barked. “No more talking.”

Blake propelled me down the stairs while the guards came behind, dragging Murphy, who could hardly keep his feet under him. People began to gather out in front of the overhang, muttering with alarm.

Murphy staggered along and I moved to his side, trying to support him, but Blake separated us again.

As we passed in front of the gathering crowd, Ian stepped out. “What’s happened?” he called to Blake. “What are you doing with them?”

“Our latest arrivals have broken camp rules.” Blake’s eyes flashed a warning. “I’d appreciate it if you’d help keep everyone calm.”

Blake continued walking, towing me with him, but I made a grab for Ian’s arm. Ian’s hand locked around my wrist.

“Ian, I detached! We were right about—”

Blake wrenched me from Ian and spun me around by my shoulders. His hand cracked across my face.

I splayed onto the ground and lay still, with a ringing head and fractured vision. Blood pooled in my mouth.

Ian and Murphy started shouting, and a moment later Murphy was laid out beside me. I turned my head to spit out the blood, and Julia sank down by my side. I felt her cool fingers against my forehead for a moment, and then she was gone.

One of the rifles fired, followed by cries of surprise.

“Everyone calm down,” yelled Blake. “I need to secure these two so I can ask them some questions. Then I’ll be back to explain.”

Blake and his men grabbed us by the arms and dragged us away.

At the opposite end of the overhang from where we’d had lunch that first day, the men forced us to scramble up onto the ledge. They shoved us inside a triangular cave formed by two rock faces that met at an angle.

“If they make a sound, shoot Dr. Murphy,” Blake instructed the others as he headed back down to camp.

The men took up posts outside, and we stood paralyzed with shock. Dizzy and sick, hand pressed against my swelling jaw, I turned to Murphy. He looked ghastly—pale as death, fresh blood mingling with the perspiration glazing his forehead. He pressed both hands to his side, gritting his teeth against the pain. A huge knot had formed just below the hairline on one side of his forehead.

He staggered backward and I stumbled behind him, using my body to slow his fall. Easing him down, I made him lie with his head in my lap. He raised a hand to my chin, wiping blood from one corner of my lips. I winced as he touched my sore jaw, and rage burned in his eyes.

His hand drifted down to rest on my abdomen, while I stroked his hair and the back of his neck. His body went slack as he lost consciousness.

I heard the distant rumble of thunder. Rain began to fall, ticking softly against the dry rock.

I breathed deeply, focusing on opening our connection. Closing my eyes, I felt for his body in the current. I wrapped myself around his energy, and we drifted along together. Weightless and peaceful.

*   *   *

The storm settled in and thunder rolled across the valley. Lightning forked down from the dark belly of cloud behind Devil’s Rock. An odd tickling sensation caused me to touch my head, and I discovered the energy of the storm had lifted the ends of my hair.

Blake returned, clothes plastered to his body by the lashing rain. He kicked Murphy a couple times to wake him.

“Stop it!” I cried, punching at Blake’s leg. “Can’t you see he’s half dead?”

“Against the wall,” Blake barked at Murphy, waving his rifle.

Murphy got up, straight and slow. I tried to catch his eye, but he turned from us and moved back into the shadows.

“That’s far enough.” Blake squatted on the floor in front of me, dark eyes burning. “Tell me how you did it.”

I glowered back at him. “What are you talking about?”

“Don’t fuck with me, Elizabeth. If you’ve really detached, there’s no reason in the world for me not to shoot Murphy.
Tell me
how you did it.”

I shook my head, exasperated. “I can’t answer that. But you know Murphy and I have been interacting. I told you my theories. You didn’t want to hear it.”

I suspected my detachment was related somehow to our telepathic connection, but Blake had shown himself to be our enemy and I didn’t want to give him any advantage.

He sat watching me, grim and troubled. A sudden crack of lightning made me jump.

“I don’t understand you, Blake. I was told you wanted us here because we share the same goal. If that’s true, there’s no need for you to threaten or beat it out of us. Why aren’t we working together?”

“You’ve given him an answer he doesn’t like,” Murphy said. I cringed, waiting for the explosion. But Blake didn’t react. “He wants to reverse the course on Ardagh 1. To see symbionts controlling the planet. You’re telling him he can’t have that
and
detachment, and now he has to decide.”

Blake replied to me rather than Murphy. “Detachment was a question we needed to answer, but we’ve learned to manage without it. The method you’ve discovered poses unacceptable risk. Gavin Connolly is responsible for my death, Elizabeth.” I glanced past him to the cave entrance, where his host was lurking. “Murphy is responsible for the subjugation of an entire species. Those are just the two within reach.
None
of them can be trusted.”

“What about Sarah?” I demanded. “And Garvey? What about the woman at the bank in New Seattle?”

“Those are friends. Sympathizers. They have their own reasons.” Blake jumped to his feet. “I’m sorry it’s worked out like this, Elizabeth.”

Alarmed by his tone, I got up too. “What are you going to do with us?”

“Unfortunately I don’t have a lot of options. You know too much about us for me to let you go. But here you pose a threat to my authority and my objectives.” He raised the rifle to my chest and I stumbled backward.

“Hang on, Blake!” Murphy shouted. “Think about how this will look. What are you going to tell the others?”

“I’ve already told them you work for planet security.” He’d made up his mind before he even walked in here. I took a cautious step back, knowing it couldn’t help me.