Authors: Alastair Reynolds
The Prefect (81 page)
âI'm going now,' Dreyfus said. âThere's something I need to attend to, before I put it off any longer. I have to go to Hospice Idlewild. There's someone there I need to see, someone I haven't seen in a very long while. I probably won't be in Panoply when you come around, but I want you to know that I'm going to be with you every step you take. If you need a hand to hold, you can count on mine.'
âI'll tell her what you said,' Demikhov said.
âI mean it. I don't break my promises.'
Demikhov was about to usher Dreyfus from the room when he paused. âPrefect ... there's something I should show you. I think it's rather wonderful.'
Dreyfus nodded at the sleeping figure. âThis is enough for me, Doctor.'
âI'll show it to you anyway. Look at the wall.'
Demikhov conjured a pane into existence, filled with trembling neon-blue lines whose meaning Dreyfus couldn't fathom.
âWhat am I looking at?' he asked.
âDreams,' Demikhov said. âBeautiful human dreams.'
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