Tales of the Citadel # 32 - Core Charge Read Online Free Page B

“They like to watch.”

    He put his hand on her left shoulder and whispered, “Just walk with me and fill your tray. They won’t move until I let them go.”

    Gwiette looked around at the still room full of folks ducking under thrown food and others who were caught with laughter showing in every inch of their postures. “You stopped them?”

    “I did. Let’s get you set up, and then we can have breakfast in that calm corner over there.”

    “So, your contact with me is keeping me moving?”

    “Yes. If I let go, you freeze in place until I release you. For now, take advantage of the silence and enjoy the lack of lineups.”

    Gwiette let him steer her through the food fight frozen in time as she gathered her breakfast and her tea. Even the food wasn’t giving off heat. He had locked it all in that one moment.

    He guided her to a table and chair far out of the way, and he waited until she was settled before he raised his brows. “Are you ready? I will get my meal and join you before you know it.”

    “I am ready.” She set her hands on the table and nodded.

    He winked, and a moment later, he was sitting across from her, holding her hand. “If you are prepared, I will let them resume.”

    “Please. I am ready.”

    He closed his eyes for a moment, and when he opened them, the room erupted into motion and sound.

    Gwiette jumped a little, but smiled. “Thank you. I don’t think I would have made it through that unscathed.”

    He chuckled and settled in to eat his meal.

    She was halfway through her selections when a small body pressed against hers.

    Gwiette looked down and a peculiar face looked back at her. “Hello, little one.”

    “Hello. I am Junior. You are warm. You feel good.”

    The little person snuggled against her side, and Gwiette looked around the room for the child’s owner.

    Stop grinned, “Junior is the child of the Avatar of Morganti and Star Breaker. Junior has not yet chosen its gender, so Junior is the nickname its parents have offered to it.”

    The child smiled. “I like it. It makes me part of both of them at the same time.”

    A tall man came up and loomed next to them. “And part of me, child.”

    Junior sighed and slumped its shoulders. “Yes, Pa-Gant.”

    Gwiette put her arm around the little creature and looked at the newcomer. She looked up Avatars in her mind and recognised the contrasting swirl that was different and similar to Stop’s. “Hello.”

    The man bowed. “I am Gant, living mind of Morganti. My host, the body that I occupy, is that of Kale. Junior’s father. He is working on some research with other Avatars right now, so I am on babysitting duty. Junior got away in the food fight. It hates getting dirty.”

    Stop grinned. “Take a seat, Gant. Gwiette radiates electricity, so there is a natural draw for Junior. If it just wants to wait, it can wait.”

    Junior giggled and snuggled closer.

    Gwiette felt a pang of remembrance for when her sister was that young and ate the rest of her meal with one hand. Unlike any other child she had met, Junior did not make a move toward her plate.

    Junior whispered. “I am not supposed to eat the food of other species. It makes my tummy hurt.”

    Gwiette nodded. “That makes sense. How did you know what I was wondering?”

    “You whispered it in my mind.”

    That cooled Gwiette’s affection instantly.

    Junior’s expression grew sad. “You don’t like me anymore.”

    Gwiette had to console the child. “Where I grew up, those who could hear your thoughts used them against you. It makes me wary when folk can read my mind without my knowing about it.”

    “But, I just told you.”

    Gwiette blinked and laughed. “Right. I suppose that puts you in a category all your own.”

    “I am one of a kind, so far.” Junior beamed. “Just like you are.”

    She could not fault that logic and finished her breakfast with a smile on her lips.

    Gant jolted slightly and flexed his fingers. His eyes turned