Free This Gulf of Time and Stars by Julie E. Czerneda Page A

open. She didn’t dislodge the device keeping us in a bubble of silence. “That’s inconvenient.”
    What’s Jarad know that we don’t?
Morgan asked.
    Nothing that matters.
    Nothing I cared to hear was more the truth. “If you’ve something to say to me, Chief Bowman,” I told her, “please say it. Otherwise, I’d like to rejoin my family. It’s time for the gifts.”
    Bowman’s gaze went to the boxes, paused thoughtfully at the silly balloons, then returned to me. I couldn’t read her expression at first. Curiosity, I decided.
    Or was it wonder?
    â€œAll this,” she said slowly. “Your doing, Sira di Sarc. Huh,” a soft grunt. “What have I to say? You’re the best of your kind. Oh, not because of your Power. How you use it. I’ll admit, till you came along, I was ready to give up on the Clan, but you—Clan like you? You’re why I’m here. Why I’m staying.”
    Bowman, complimentary? “Someone’s not about to die, are they?” I glowered at her. “Or blow up? Because if that’s what this is, you’re wasting time.”
    A chuckle. “I imagine I am. This’ll be interesting, me briefing the new Speaker. You’ll have to take a lot on—” She stopped, eyesmomentarily unfocused. In Clan, that sudden distraction signified communication mind-to-mind.
    In Bowman, it meant one of her many implants was delivering a message.
    Her eyes closed for an instant. When they opened, what I saw in them made me hold my breath and any questions.
    For what looked out was deadly.
    â€œWe’ll do this later, Sira. Got to go.” Bowman yanked the device from her collar and dropped it in a pocket, alerting Terk with a nod, then paused, her expression easing. “Don’t worry. You and me, we’ve something new. Trust. Hold on to it.”
    She didn’t wait for me to answer, raising her voice. “My sincere apologies, Fems, Homs, but duty calls. Barac and Ruti, congratulations. Huido? Decent meal. I’ll be back.”
    Sector Chief Lydis Bowman spun on her heel, her eyes raking me one last time as if a look alone could convey meaning, then was out the door, Terk pounding behind.
    The dining hall felt smaller.
    â€œBut it’s ready,” Tayno announced plaintively, a steaming cup in one claw.

Interlude
    W ITH BOWMAN’S ABRUPT DEPARTURE , the room fell silent. If the Clan
sent
to one another, Morgan wasn’t included, but they didn’t hide their consternation. He shared it. Bowman in a hurry was never a good sign. Enforcers dealt with trouble at the species-species interface. With thousands in the Trade Pact, that trouble ranged from misunderstanding to major threat. The Sector Chief wasn’t called for misunderstandings.
    Sira walked back, red-gold hair twitching at the ends. She shrugged as if to say “Humans,” and smiled. “Is it time for the gifts?” she asked, detouring to relieve Tayno of the cup.
    Huido snapped his claw. “It is! Bring our guests.”
    Tensions eased as Ruti and Barac were herded, the pair adorably embarrassed, to the gift table and Morgan dared a quick sending of his own.
What’s your read on this?
    That we’ll be seeing Bowman again and soon.
Her gray eyes crinkled at the corners.
Are family occasions always complicated?
    He had to laugh.
    Chairs were brought for Ruti and Barac, the others standing to watch. The Clan appeared mystified, even Sira. Morgan paused, the first gift in his hands, wondering why. “Is this so different from how you give gifts?”
    Rael lifted a shapely brow. “We don’t.”
    â€œNot like this,” Enora corrected, smiling. “For us, gift-giving is private, arising from impulse more than occasion.”
    â€œIt’s not as if we can’t buy what we want,” Rael stated. It was no idle boast.
    Barac’s flinch was almost imperceptible, but Sira