Garden of Serenity by Nina Pierce Read Free Book Online Page A

Rage and indignation quaked over her muscles. She didn’t know any men. Hadn’t done any more than treat their injuries. But even she didn’t lump them in with Merenith’s farm stock.
    Attika slammed back in her chair, her eyes wide with shock. “You are a great healer, Jahara. I didn’t mean to offend you in your own home. It’s just that M’Dame said—”
    “No, I’m sorry.” Jahara dropped her head in shame. Of course this young woman was only repeating lessons learned at her family’s table. She had no right to condemn the child for her personal beliefs. “I have no more life experience than you. It’s just that …” She met Attika’s wounded expression. “They are human. If you keep your mind open, it may be possible to learn something from them.”
    * * * *
    Jahara shifted restlessly in the back of the vehicle. Sometimes she wished she hadn’t been reared to speak her opinions so freely. Attika had obviously been offended by her outburst. There was nothing she could say that would bridge the discomfort sitting between them.
    “So, shall we share a ride back together this afternoon?” Jahara kept her tone light and cheerful.
    “I’m probably not staying the whole day. Zenick mentioned he’d like to take me on a tour of the Garden. There’s a lake in the agricultural section on the far side of the Garden proper that’s supposed to be quite lovely and secluded.” Attika kept her eyes averted to the side, watching the breeding apartments flash by as they drove. “Today’s only an orientation for me anyway. They won’t need me to delve into the reams of numbers for a couple of days. Statistics don’t take much of my time. Pretty straight forward to keep the Garden’s birth census and calculate supply orders. I’ll only be working a couple of days a week anyway.” She carelessly lifted her shoulder. “I’ll let you know which day I’ll be going back in.” Attika turned back to Jahara, the corner of her mouth lifting. “Perhaps we’ll ride in together on another day.”
    That was the total sum of their exchange.
    As they passed the little shops, Jahara stared at the women choosing fresh produce and clothing. Their hands fluttered in animated conversations. Making friends had never been her strong suit.
    When they pulled up to the medical complex, Attika jumped out of the vehicle, mumbling only a cursory farewell. Jahara’s heart sank. No Merenith and now she’d completely alienated the one breeding-sister who’d reached out to befriend her. Loneliness was a heavy burden.
    The driver delivered Jahara to a separate entrance around the back of the large structure. Had she not seen the dome of the Garden from the outside, she could have believed she was at the healing facility in Lexington. Trees shimmied in a light breeze and clouds skittered in a cerulean sky overhead. There were even live birds flitting about in the flowering shrubbery.
    “This is where they told me to leave you, Dr. Khateri. It has been my honor to transport you this morning.” The pregnant woman smiled over her shoulder. Consulting a clipboard on the seat next to her, she read from the instructions. “You’re to meet Dr. Gabriella Bresilee, the medical director and head of the Garden. Her office is directly through there and on the left.” She pointed to the doors, the only visible opening in the building. How unusual for a building this large to have no windows, especially when they’d taken such care with the landscaping.
    Striding up the cement walk from the street, Jahara felt the prickly itch of eyes on her. Nonchalantly, she searched for cameras, but saw none. Evidently, the Garden was putting her on edge and making her just a little paranoid.
    She entered a reception area rich with mahogany paneling. Jahara stepped to the large desk dominating the space, manned by a woman whose midnight hair was cut asymmetrically.
    “May I help you?” the receptionist asked. Her yellow tunic was splayed wide enough to