Mutant Star by Karen Haber Read Free Book Online Page A

the podium. As Julian watched, the wrapping began to smolder. Yellow and green flames lapped eagerly at the padding protecting the artwork, enveloping it as bronze sparks shot high into the air.
    The audience gasped.
    Smoke covered the stage. But a hurricane wind came shrieking out of the balcony to clear the air, revealing Narlydda’s three-panel sculpture hung neatly on the wall behind the Book Keeper. The work glowed with bronze, blue, and purple crylights, its glazing refracting and reflecting every hue.
    “Bravo, Narlydda!”
    “And Skerry, too!”
    Beautiful, just beautiful.
    Speech! Come on, say something .
    But Narlydda shook her head.
    The pandemonium rose. Finally, Skerry sent out a mental warning: Narlydda never makes speeches. Besides, her work speaks for itself. So listen to that instead and settle down. Or we’ll take it home.
    Amid laughter, the meeting began to break up in a cheerful hubbub of chatter and dinner plans. But when Julian joined the little group consisting of his parents and Narlydda and Skerry, he saw that his uncle wasn’t smiling.
    “Melanie, I’m going to break your son’s neck for him,” Skerry rasped.
    “Be quiet,” Narlydda said. She smiled frostily at her husband. “What he really means to say is he’s hungry.”
    “What’s the matter?” Melanie said. “Where’s Rick? Where’s Alanna? I thought …” She glanced around the room. “Uh-oh.”
    Skerry frowned. “I second that emotion.”
    “Julian,” Yosh said. “Weren’t you going to tell us all about your lab work?”
    “Dad, you’re a little late,” Julian said. Where was Rick? Had he run off? Uncle Skerry looked like he was about to explode.
    “Melanie, let’s go back to the hotel,” said Yosh. “Skerry and Narlydda can meet us for dinner in half an hour. If Rick isn’t back by then, I say the hell with him. I’ve got an early rehearsal tomorrow morning.”
    “You go ahead,” Melanie said. “I’ll wait.”
    “Don’t be foolish,” Yosh said.
    Julian took her arm. “He’s right, Mom. You don’t even know if Rick is coming back.”
    His mother’s face was defiant. “He wouldn’t leave without saying goodbye to me.”
    “Mom, be reasonable. It gets lonely here at night. Put a message on the screen by the door. He knows where we’re staying.” He shook her gently. “Come on.”
    Melanie frowned. “Oh, all right. Let’s go.”
    As they walked toward the door Rick came bustling in. He stopped short, his eyes wide with surprise.
    “Meeting over?”
    “Of course it is,” Melanie said sharply. “Your timing is perfect, as usual.”
    “Sorry. I was, uh, delayed.” His look of mystery changed to chagrin as Alanna slipped in and stood next to him.
    “I got lost in the woods,” she said. “Rick helped me find my way out.” She smiled at Rick in a way that Julian found amusing, but somehow, he didn’t think anyone else would share his glee.
    “So chivalry is not dead,” Melanie said.
    Skerry took a step forward. His face was deep red. “Alanna, I want to talk to you.”
    “Later, Daddy.”
    “Alanna,” Yosh said quickly, “would you like to ride with us to the hotel? Your folks are going to meet us …”
    “I’ll bring her on my cycle,” Rick said. “Julian won’t mind riding with Mom and Dad. I know he’ll feel safer.”
    Julian forced a laugh. “That’s the truth.”
    “Oh, okay,” Alanna said. “Then we’ll see you at the hotel.” She and Rick were out the door before anybody could respond.
    Narlydda turned to Skerry. “Not one more word, or I’ll make you the subject of my next altarpiece.”
    In the skimmer, Melanie shook her head in admiration. “That Alanna’s got style.”
    “I’d call it nerve,” Yosh said. “And considering her heritage, she comes by it honestly.”
    “Maybe Rick will get smart and just keep on going,” Julian said.
    “To Los Angeles,” Yosh added.
    “Or South America.”
    Melanie sighed. “I almost hope he does. Otherwise, I’m