Free What Lies Behind: A New Adult Dark Science Fiction Romance by Travis Simmons Page B

straighter, and Brandon uncrossed his legs and leaned forward.
    “It destroyed your home. You were given up,” Augury told her. “But you know this already?”
    “Partially,” Cass told her. “What I don’t understand completely is why.”
    “Or what is happening to you now. Why things are changing?” Augury probed.
    Cass could only nod.
    “You weren’t programmed right,” Augury said. “I’m getting a sense that you weren’t wiped, your memories were just hidden. You’re meant for more than the life you’re living.” Augury frowned. “This is strange. I see you in split fashion, almost like I’m seeing two versions of you, one blended into another. In one I see you happy with this young man. I get the sense of freedom from you, the sense that you are living out your free will. In the other image I see you as a classic warrior or a champion of some sort. This champion is the true reason for your programming. This champion is what you’re meant for.”
    Augury looked up to Cass. “The way before you is split. That’s why I’m able to read for you. I can read for humans because they are able to make choices. I don’t read for robots because there is no sense of choice. For you, there are choices you can make. Decisions that will change the outcome of your future.”
    “What are they?” Cass asked.
    “I get the sense that you already know that.”
    “My free will,” Cass said. She looked at their joined hands. One human, one robot, both flesh of a kind. Looking at the joined hands alone you’d never know one wasn’t organic.
    “Yes. You can follow your free will, or you can follow your programming,” Augury said.
    Cass sighed.
    “You didn’t think I would be helpful, did you?” Augury said, removing her hands from Cass’.
    “No,” Cass answered, clasping her hands in her lap. “I thought this was going to be a fun reading, but not overly enlightening.”
    “More things exist beyond your senses. Things you’d never guess at. Things I could never imagine. Things science has yet to find explanations for.” Augury looked at Brandon. “What about you? Would you like your reading now?”
    “I’m good,” Brandon held up his hands as if to ward her away.
    Augury smiled at him. “People are fine with readings when they think they are nothing but games, but when the truth comes out, they change their minds. It’s okay.”
    Brandon nodded.
    “Do you have any more questions for me, since he’s not taking his time?” Augury asked.
    Cass shook her head. “I need to get home.”
    Augury nodded as if she understood precisely why Cass needed to get home.
    The door to the shop closed behind them, and for a while as they walked down the street toward the busy intersection, Brandon didn’t say anything. It wasn’t until they turned into the busier street that he spoke.
    “That went differently than I expected,” he said.
    “Yeah,” was all Cass could muster in response.
    “Tomorrow I am coming over, and we are going to see if we can get to the bottom of this. We are going to go see this Olivia woman.” He looked over at her. “Do you know where she works?”
    “She’s pretty public, I’m sure I can find the address.”
    “Good. Do that tonight, when I come over tomorrow we will head right out.”
    What Madame Augury had to say stayed with Cass all the way home. In fact, flying didn’t bother her this time. She didn’t fully come to her senses until they were standing before the door to Natalia’s apartment.
    “So do your homework,” Brandon told her with a smile. “And I will come by and get you tomorrow.”
    He turned the handle and opened the door.
    Cass knew something wasn’t right when she stepped into the house, and saw Natalia sitting on the couch, a cigarette in her hand, a cloud of smoke wreathing her head. The holovision was on, displaying a soap opera. Natalia only put soap operas on when she wanted background noise to help her think.
    She glanced at the two of them