Read The Bloodlight Chronicles: Reconciliation for Free Online

die.”
    â€œSo you put him in play again after all those years?”
    Phillip’s smile went steely, and Jimmy sensed a fracture in his composure. “I want what’s best for him. I made some mistakes. Perhaps I can make amends in some small way. He must have said something to you.”
    â€œHe’s looking for the virus, if you must know. He wants to inoculate Rix. He cares a lot more for his son than you ever cared for him.” Jimmy eyed his guest carefully, looking for a flinch of conscience, a semblance of humanity.
    Phillip pursed his lips in thought, his eyes still tranquil. “Good,” he said.
    Jimmy winced inwardly. What a cold piece of work. He wondered if Phillip had access to the virus. Perhaps he was Eternal himself. He looked too young to be a grandfather.
    â€œDo you want to help us out, Jimmy? There’s a good margin of profit for you.”
    â€œI’m retired.”
    Phillip looked around with a critical air. “You could do better.”
    â€œHow much better?”
    â€œAn exponential increase. It’s a simple smuggling operation, just like old times.”
    â€œIs the product legal?”
    â€œThe product doesn’t even exist.”
    â€œBut it will?”
    Phillip bowed his head with the grace of a sage. “New nanochip architecture.”
    Jimmy smiled, feeling familiarity like an old lover. “I like chips.”
    â€œI’ll leave the creative details of transport completely to your expertise.”
    â€œNo strings?”
    â€œOnly the purse strings, Jimmy. Just the way you like it.”
    With a lump of pain in her throat, Mia stuffed her backpack with dirty clothes. “Rix is fine on his own,” she said. “He doesn’t need a babysitter.”
    â€œWe can’t just leave him there all alone.”
    â€œI know that.”
    â€œWell, one of us should at least check on him.”
    â€œI’d rather be with you.”
    â€œC’mon, Mia, I just want to chase some numbers with an old friend while you get Rix ready for another relocation. He’s not going to like the idea.”
    â€œHow will I contact you? What if something comes up at the community? What if there’s a purge?”
    â€œI’ll pick you up in a week, Mia. I promise. I’ll scout out a safe home and we’ll make a clean break.” Zakariah peered out the window at dark thunderheads gathering beyond the hills. “You should try to get out before the storm hits, hon.”
    â€œYeah. We’re not very good at saying goodbye.”
    Zakariah turned with a comforting grin. “Oh? I thought we did pretty good.”
    Mia smiled, but her face quickly relaxed into a stern and worried mask. “I wish we had a plan.”
    â€œJust be careful. Assume the elders are compromised. Play the secret agent. Use your chi magic and keep Rix out of trouble for one more week.”
    â€œRix can look after himself. You know he’s the smartest kid on the planet.”
    â€œWell, he still needs a mother. He’s got to be clean if he’s going to get an ampoule.”
    â€œDo you really think it makes any difference? The moral imperative?”
    â€œI don’t know. I guess so.”
    â€œWhy is it all so secretive?
    Zakariah shrugged. “Everybody wants to live forever.”
    â€œThen why can’t we just give everyone an ampoule? Mass-produce the virus?”
    â€œToo expensive, maybe.” Zakariah shook his head. “I wish I knew.”
    â€œNeither one of us paid a penny for Eternal life.”
    Zakariah met her eyes. “The chosen few.” He turned and looked back out the window. “Don’t worry. Everything’s going to be okay.”
    Mia stepped up behind him and kissed the side of his neck. “Goodbye, lover,” she whispered.
    Zakariah reached back and pulled her hips against him, but he didn’t turn around. “See you soon,” he lied.
    Fifteen