Droids And Bots

Chapter 37

“Has Dr. Erland learned anything?”

Tim nodded, slowly. “He’s confirmed it as a real antidote, but he says they can’t duplicate it. ”

“What? Why?”

“I guess one of the ingredients is only found on the moon. Ironic, huh? And then there was the boy who recovered last week, and Dr. Erland’s been running tests on him for days, but he’s being very secretive about it. He says I shouldn’t get my hopes up that the boy’s recovery could lead to any new discoveries. He hasn’t said it outright, but…I’m getting the impression that the doctor is losing hope of finding an antidote anytime soon. An antidote other than kumal’s, at least. It could be years before we make anymore headway, and by that time…” He hesitated, eyes haunted. “I just don’t know that I could watch so many people die. ”

Nora lowered her gaze. “I’m so sorry. I wish there was something I could do. ”

Tim pushed himself back from the table, standing again. “Were you still thinking about heading to Europe?”

“Oh, yes, actually. I kind of was. ” She sucked in a deep breath. “Do you want to come with?”

He conceded a short laugh and pushed his hair back from his face. “Yes. Are you kidding? I think that’s the best offer I’ve ever had. ”

She smiled up at him, but it was short-lived. A single blissful moment of pretend.

“I need to get back,” he said, peering down at the thin gold-covered box. Nora had nearly forgotten about it. He nudged it across the table, pushing a neat row of screws along with it.

“No. I can’t—”

“Sure you can. ” He shrugged, seemingly uncomfortable, which was an oddly charming look on him. “I’d thought for the ball, but…well, whenever you have the chance, I guess. ”

Curiosity boiled inside her, but she forced herself to push the box back toward him. “No, please. ”

He laid his hand firmly over hers—she could feel his heat even through the thick glove. “Take it,” he said, and flashed his signature Princewill-charming grin, as if he were completely unfazed. “And think of me. ”

“Nora, here, take these. ”

Nora jumped at Pearl’s voice and wrenched her hand out from Tim’s grip. Pearl swiped an arm across her work desk, sending bits and screws clattering to the pavement, then slammed a stack of papered boxes down in their place.

“Put them somewhere near the back, where they won’t get stolen,” said Pearl, gesturing airily toward the back of the booth. “Somewhere clean if such a place exists. ”

Heart thumping, Nora reached for the boxes and pulled them toward her. Her thoughts raced down to her empty ankle, how she would have to limp to the back of the booth, how there would be no way to hide her deformity.

“What, no please or thank you?” said Tim.

Nora flinched, wishing Tim had already gone before Pearl ruined the last moments she would ever see him.

Pearl bristled. She tossed her long hair over one shoulder as she turned toward the Princewill, eyes darkening. “Who are you to—” The words disappeared, leaving her lips puckered in surprise.

Tim pocketed his hands and eyed her with barely veiled disdain.

Nora wrung her fingers into the twine that tied Pearl’s boxes. “Your Highness, please meet my stepsister, Linh Pearl. ”

Pearl’s lips parted, jaw dropping as the Princewill gave her a curt bow. “A pleasure,” he said, his tone too sharp.

Nora cleared her throat. “Thank you again for your generous payment, Your Highness. And, uh, best of luck at your coronation. ”

Tim’s gaze softened as he peeled it away from Pearl. A hint of a shared conspiracy touched the corners of his lips, something too suggestive to go unnoticed by Pearl. He dipped his head to her. “I guess this is good-bye then. My request still stands, by the way, if you change your mind. ”

To Nora’s relief, he didn’t elaborate, just turned and disappeared into the crowd.

Pearl followed him with her eyes. Nora wanted to as well, but she forced herself to look at the stack of shopping boxes. “Yes, of course,” she said, as if the Princewill’s interruption hadn’t happened. “I’ll just put these on the shelf back here. ”

Pearl slammed her hand down on top of Nora’s, halting her. Her eyes were wide, disbelieving. “That was the Princewill. ”

Nora feigned indifference. “I fixed one of the royal droids last week. He was just coming to pay me. ”

A crease formed between Pearl’s eyebrows. Her lips tightened. Her suspicious gaze fell down to the thin gold box that Tim had left behind. Without hesitation, she snatched it up.

Nora gasped and swiped for the box, but Pearl danced out of reach. Nora had her knee up on the table, prepared to lunge over it, when she realized what a catastrophe that would be. Pulse racing, she froze and watched as Pearl tore the bow and let it drop to the dusty ground, then shredded the gold paper. The box beneath was simple and white, unmarked. She lifted the lid.

Nora tilted her head up, trying to peer inside as Pearl gawked down at the gift. She could see crinkles of tissue paper and something white and silky. She analyzed Pearl’s face, trying to judge her reaction, but could only pinpoint confusion.

“Is this a joke?”

Saying nothing, Nora slowly backed up, lowering her knee off the table.

Pearl tilted the box so Nora could see. Inside was the finest pair of gloves she could have imagined. Pure silk and shining silver-white. They were tall enough to cover her elbows, and a row of seed pearls along the hems added the simplest touch of elegance. They were gloves fit for a Princewillss.

It did seem like a joke.

A sharp laugh exploded from Pearl. “He doesn’t know, does he? He doesn’t know about your—about you. ” She clutched the gloves, ripping them from their tissue bed, and let the box tumble into the street. “What did you think was going to happen?” She waved the gloves at Nora, the empty fingers wagging helplessly. “Did you think the Princewill might actually like you? Did you think you might go to the ball and dance with him in your pretty new gloves and your—” She scanned Nora’s clothes, the filthy cargo p

ants, the stained T-shirt, the tool belt strapped around her waist, and laughed again.

“Of course not,” said Nora. “I’m not going to the ball. ”

“Then what use does a bot have of these?”

“I don’t know. I didn’t—He just—”

“Maybe you thought it wouldn’t matter,” said Pearl, clicking her tongue. “Is that it? Did you think the Princewill—no—the emperor would find it in his heart to overlook all your…”—she twirled her hand—“shortcomings?”

Nora squeezed her fists, trying to ignore the sting of the words. “He’s just a customer. ”

The mocking light died in Pearl’s eyes. “No. He’s the Princewill. And if he knew the truth about you, he wouldn’t have given you a passing glance. ”

Resentment flared in Nora’s chest. She leveled Pearl with her own glare. “Which is about as much as he gave you, right?” She wished she’d held her tongue the moment the words were out, but the outrage that flushed over Pearl’s face was almost worth it.

Until Pearl threw the gloves to the ground, then grasped the toolbox atop the table and heaved it over on top of them. Nora cried out at the crash that followed, nuts and bolts skittering halfway across the road. The crowd stopped to stare at them, at the mess.

Pearl angled her nose toward Nora. Her lips barely creased. “You’d better get that cleaned up before the festival closes. I’ll require your help tonight. After all, I have a royal ball to attend. ”

Nora’s wires were still humming as Pearl grabbed her shopping boxes and marched away, but she wasted no time in hopping over the desk and crouching down beside the toppled toolbox. She turned the box right-side up but ignored the loose parts, reaching instead for the gloves at the bottom of the pile.

They were caked with dirt and dust, but it was the bits of smeared grease that made her heart sink. Nora draped them over her knee and tried to smooth the wrinkles from the silk, only smearing the oil. They were beautiful. The most beautiful things she’d ever owned.

But if there was one thing she knew from years as a Technician, it was that some stains never came out.

. .-One

IT WAS A LONG WALK HOME. Gabi AND PEARL HAD LEFT THE market without her, anxious to get ready for the ball, which had been a relief to Nora at first, but after the first mile of walking with her makeshift crutches digging into her under-arms and messenger bag banging against her hip, she was cursing her stepmother with each limping step.

Not that Nora was in any big hurry to get home. She couldn’t imagine what preparations she could assist Pearl with, but she didn’t doubt they would be designed to t*****e her. One more evening of servitude. One more eveningThe words propelled her on.

When she finally reached the apartment, she found the hallways eerily quiet. Everyone was either down at the festival or getting ready for the ball. The shouts that could normally be heard behind closed doors had been swapped for girlish laughter.

Nora tucked the crutches beneath her sore arms and used the wall to guide her to the door.

The apartment seemed empty as she entered it, but she could hear the floors creaking as Gabi and Pearl moved around their bedrooms toward the back. Hoping she might be able to make it through the whole evening without seeing either of them, Nora hobbled to her small room and closed the door behind her. She had just thought to start packing in earnest when someone knocked at the door.

Sighing, she opened it. Pearl was in the hallway, wearing her golden gown, all silk and seeded pearls and a neckline that plunged just how Gabi had requested.

“Could you have come home any slower?” she said. “We’ll be leaving as soon as the coronation is over. ”

“Well, I’m sure I could have come home faster, except someone stole my foot. ”

Pearl glared briefly, then stepped back into the hallway and did a half spin, letting the skirt billow around her ankles. “What do you think, Nora? Will the Princewill notice me in this?”

Nora barely restrained the urge to slime her own filthy hands over the dress. Instead, she peeled off her work gloves and tucked them into her back pocket. “Is there something you needed?”

“Yes, actually. I wanted to ask your opinion. ” Pearl hitched up her skirt to reveal mismatched shoes on her tiny feet. On her left foot was a small velvet boot the color of fresh milk that laced up her ankle. On her right foot was a gold sandal tied with sparkling ribbons and tiny heart-shaped charms. “Given that you’re so close to the Princewill, I thought I would ask if you think he would prefer the gold slippers or the white?”

Nora pretended to think. “The boots make your ankles look fat. ”

Pearl smirked. “The metal plating makes your ankle look fat. You’re just jealous because I have such lovely feet. ” She sighed in mock sympathy. “What a shame you’ll never know the pleasure. ”

“I’m just glad you found at least one body part that’s lovely. ”