Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 88265 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88265 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
The way Aruan says it makes it clear he thinks it’s all bullshit, but my heart is beating faster.
Tiny smart particles? Like nano-computers? Maybe quantum nano-computers with advanced artificial intelligence?
I suck in a breath.
Could the humans of that long-ago Zerran civilization have merged with AI using brain implants, thus becoming the superhuman Alit?
It’s a wild theory, but it would explain so much.
“Can the priests slow the images down?” I ask in excitement. “So we can better see what the recordings show?”
The red, green, and blue light plays over his face as he studies the wall. “The priests don’t control the projections. They run on a loop. The best they can do is watch them repeatedly and try to form a bigger picture in order to decipher them.” He points at a corner where an image of a smiling couple is already disintegrating before it’s been fully shown. “That part refers to mates.”
I blink at the bright light, trying my best to make out something, but the picture is gone as fast as it appeared. “What do they think it says?”
His voice is gruff. “That every Alit has only one mate, and that mating is for life.”
I glance at him quickly, catching the piercing look in his eyes as he scrutinizes me. Unable to hold his intense gaze, I turn back to the images.
If the Alit are part AI, could this whole mates business be a byproduct of their programming? Ensuring that pairs are perfectly matched to avoid the unhappiness stemming from breakups makes a lot of sense. Maybe some kind of code in the AI part of the Alit seeks a complimentary code in the mate.
I’ve already concluded that Zerra must be a parallel Earth. Only here, an asteroid didn’t end the existence of the dinosaurs. Maybe the human race developed in coexistence with the animals which, on Earth, are long since extinct. They could’ve created powerful super-computers and artificial intelligence, just like humans are starting to do, and merged with the latter to become a new, stronger race with seeming superpowers.
I’m so lost in the incredible possibility that I jump when Aruan touches my shoulder.
“You look pale.” He frowns. “Are you all right?”
My voice comes out scratchy. “Yes.” I clear my throat. “It’s just a lot to take in.”
He strokes my arm before taking my hand. “Shall we go? We have to get ready for the banquet.”
I look up at him as he leads me back into the sunshine. “Aruan?”
He smiles at me. “Elsie?”
“Does Vitai have a mate?”
“Every Alit has a mate.”
“Does he know who she is?”
He steers me around a puddle of mud. “He hasn’t sensed her yet.”
“When does an Alit sense his mate?”
“It happens at different stages of maturity, but for most, it’s during young adulthood. Why?” He stops and gives me a dark look. “You’re not interested in Vitai, are you?”
“Of course not.” I bite my lip, considering how honest to be. I don’t want to betray Eucabeth’s feelings, especially as I haven’t spoken to her and am basing my assumption purely on observations. “I was just wondering.”
“As long as you don’t get any ideas.” He tugs me closer, pulling me into a possessive hug against his side. “I don’t want to have to kill my youngest brother.”
And he’s not even joking.
Chapter 15
Aruan
The reason I’m in a rush to get back to the palace isn’t only because we have to get ready for the banquet. I’ve interrogated everyone who was near the Great Hall this morning, but I still have a warning to deliver.
Once Elsie and I arrive, I lead her to the guests’ quarters. She shoots me a questioning look when I stop in front of the entrance. The wall is already dissolving before she can question me.
The group, minus the male—Karl—is having the refreshments I ordered to be delivered. For good measure, I instructed the cook to mix a little calming potion into the honey wine. Everyone was shaken after this morning’s outing that nearly ended in disaster.
At the sight of me, they climb to their feet warily.
Elsie tugs on my hand, strain etched on her face. She’s wondering what we’re doing here.
“I need to question Sandy.” I keep my tone soothing. “She may have noticed something. Why don’t you check on the others to make sure they’re all right?”
The explanation reassures her enough for the tense set of her shoulders to ease marginally. She nods before going over to the table where the women are gathered.
I catch Sandy’s gaze and tilt my head toward the archway. “A word, please.”
Her throat bobs as she swallows. She wrings her hands together but does as she’s told.
When we’re out of earshot in the hallway, I get straight to the point. “You’ll never speak to Elsie again like you did this morning. One wrong word out of your mouth, and it’ll be the last word you say.” I lean closer. “Am I clear?”