Facsimile by Vicki Weavil Read Free Book Online Page B

science, I guess.” I shake my head. “My mother saw that holo file. The others tried to keep it from her, but she insisted, or so I’m told. It was all before I was born. My dad says it broke her.”
    Dace stuffs the digital monitor into the pouch strapped to his waist. “She doesn’t seem broken to me.”
    “Yeah, I don’t see it either.” I keep my gaze focused on the lake. “But Dad always tells me that story when I complain about her. She’s kind of a bitch, you know.”
    “That I can believe.” Dace lays his fingers on my arm. “But very beautiful. I see where you get it from.”
    “Me?” I glance down at my hands, at the skin that’s many shades darker than my mother’s porcelain complexion. “I don’t look like her. I take after my dad’s side of the family.”
    He’s staring at me with the strangest expression. I’ve seen Raid look at me with desire, and this isn’t the same. But there’s obvious admiration in those dark eyes.
    “Your coloring, yes. But you have some of her features. I noticed that at dinner. Not the nose, though. You actually have a much more interesting nose. A regal profile.” Dace swiftly turns his head aside. “Scientist, remember? Trained to observe. And also, I … ” He gazes out over the lake. “I like to do graphic stuff. On the computer.”
    “Art?” I raise my eyebrows. “You’re an artist?”
    Dace draws an invisible circle with one booted foot. “Don’t know if I’d say that. But yeah, I like to create stuff. So I notice things—the way they look, the way the planes and angles … ” He stops speaking, tightening his lips.
    “That’s pretty cool.” I think of the immersive games I’ve played with Raid and the others and consider that someone, somewhere, must have designed them. It’s a curious thought, one I’ve never contemplated before. All those images—at one point, they were just an idea. Until someone’s mind and hands brought them to life.
    “We should go back,” I say, after several minutes of staring at the placid lake in silence. “It’s getting late.”
    “But we can return tomorrow?”
    “I don’t know.” I turn to study Dace. He smiles, obviously trying to charm. It almost works. “Oh, I suppose. But you can’t tell your uncle anything about this. Not yet. If my parents find out, they’ll forbid me to escort you anywhere.”
    “Sworn to secrecy.” Dace grabs my hand. “Thank you, Ann. You don’t know how much this means to me.”
    “Oh, I think I do.” I tighten my fingers around his. Partially in agreement, partially because I suspect Dace isn’t accustomed to a girl’s touch.
    Proving my theory, a faint touch of color flushes his light brown skin.
    “I really want to go to a real university,” he says, not pulling his hand away. “More than anything.”
    “And I really want to get off of Eco,” I reply, giving his hand a final squeeze before I release his fingers. “More than anything. Looks like we’re on the same wavelength.”
    “Seems like it.” Dace places the hand I’d gripped into his other hand and absently strokes his cradled fingers. “Hopefully we can both get what we want.”
    “That’s the plan.”
    I turn as I hear a splash from the lake. “What’s that?”
    “Don’t know.” Dace steps close to the edge of the rocky shoreline.
    As I reach to pull him back, there’s another splash.
    “Something’s in there,” says Dace under his breath.
    From the center of the lake a form rises.
    My fingers lock onto Dace’s arm. I give a little yank. “Back.”
    The form takes shape, lifting its body half out of the water. It has a sleek head with the pointed snout of a dolphin, but the slick brown fur and front paws of an otter.
    “Holy shit.” Dace stumbles backward, almost knocking me over. I throw my arms around him to keep him on his feet.
    The creature watches us with large, liquid brown eyes. There are no visible ears, but it cocks its head as if listening to some distant sound.