Read Damia for Free Online

said, noticing his glance, and then palmed the door open. “She lives here. Primes don’t travel much, you know, but she’s good about sending us downside on leave.”
    Inside the main room, consoles and work tables wereplaced along the walls, neat enough now as personnel were apparently closing down operations. There was a buzz of friendly chat and considerable interest in Ackerman’s companion.
    Afra caught mental buzz that identified him as the Capellan T-4.
No longer a pint-sized greenie
, Afra thought very quietly and grinned. If he suited the Rowan, he might even be able to see old Damitcha, who had retired downside to Kyoto.
    Vague reassurances were aimed in his direction, some of them wistful, some of them pessimistic about his chances, but there were smiles enough to make him feel welcome.
    “You were the last shipment in today,” Brian said. “Coffee?”
    “Coffee?” Afra was surprised. That was a caffeinated substance which was, of course, unavailable on Capella. Something to do with the expense of it. “I wouldn’t mind a cup.” He fished that phrase out of Brian’s mind.
    “D’you like it black, white, sweetened?”
    “How do you like it?”
    “Never had any?”
    “No,” and Afra smiled ruefully.
    “Well, try it black and see if you like it. Then we can add milk and sweetener to your taste.”
    Afra was trying not to probe around for the Prime. There were so many people milling about, some of them flustered with the day’s tasks, some hoping to leave for home pretty soon, that he wondered if she were down here. No one matched the vivid mental picture Goswina had given him so long ago. Then he realized that the Rowan would be ten years older and more mature than that mischievous girl.
    Just as Brian handed him a mug with an opaque black liquid, he knew the Rowan was in the room. He turned slightly to his left, toward the beverage dispenser that Brian had just left. Three people, a man and two women, were serving themselves. Afra’s attention fell on the slenderer female figure, a mane of unexpectedly silver hair falling to her shoulders although her face was young, andoddly attractive, though not in a classic style of beauty. He felt the first spurt—and ruthlessly suppressed that sense—of strong affinity.
    Although the girl wasn’t very tall and had a pale rather than slightly greenish skin tone, she had the lean look of a Capellan. But there was no doubt in his mind that she was the Rowan.
    Full marks to you, Goswina’s brother Afra
, she said and, audibly excusing herself from her companions, she jerked her head toward the steps to the Tower level.
If you’ll join me?
    Her very casual manner was quite a change from Capella’s formality.
    I had my craw full of protocol and elaborate convention on Altair, Afra. I run a Tower, not a tea party. I also don’t usually ’path conversations. For Goswina’s brother I’ll make an exception today.
    He followed her up the winding metal steps, a bit surprised that she didn’t have a ramp as Capella did.
    “You’ll find I’m not at all like Capella, or Siglen, or any of the other Primes you might have met.”
    “Capella’s the only one I’ve ever met.”
    They were in the Tower room now, with her conformable couch, the various monitors and consoles that were standard furniture for a Prime’s domain. Great Jupiter was visible, and the stark moonscape beyond the FT&T domes. The Rowan gestured for him to take the seat by the auxiliary console. Then she leaned back against the outer wall and cocked her head. He felt no contact from her mind, but, unless he was completely mistaken, there was a bond growing between them. He hoped so, for he had never met anyone like her before—so radiant, so vital, so vivid. Strength was an almost visible aura about her. And his father had always maintained that Primes contained themselves?
    “I’d take you for Goswina’s brother. You’ve the look of her. Sort of.” She smiled, an expression that only