Read Online Invincible by Dawn Metcalf - Free Book Online

such? You’ll be feelin’ the beat o’ the planet, the pulse o’ the Earth, the shift of land and lava and salt. You can eat an’ drink an’ breathe through the soil. Yer becomin’ part of the world—the great Maker, the All-Mother—what need you of a mortal heart?”
    â€œBut I want my heart!” Joy said. “I need it to stay human, to be mortal, to be me .”
    Maia toasted her with an empty cup. “Well, good. Not so far gone, then. Still, like as not, Folk’ll not take th’ news well, so best not share it lengthwise. If the Scribe suspects, he’s not said a word, nor will he if’n what you say’s true, an’ ye’ve got the Bailiwick and I in yer confidence. That’s no small thing. But the Council...” She circled the chairs and tapped Joy on the back with a wormy finger. “Ye wear your True Name on your flesh—you’d be better off if ye had more friends than foes at yer back, I warrant.” She stuck out a fat lower lip. “Might have an idea ’bout that,” she said slowly. “Know someone who knows somethin’ about such things as this. Not many would spare you a word, mind you—ye left the gala in quite a state, but mark me, they won’t forget it soon!”
    Joy twisted her fingers in her lap. “Sorry about the hair comb.”
    â€œWhy?” Maia sounded genuinely puzzled. “Tha’s what it was for—t’ keep ye breathing.” Her smile stretched from ear to ear. “Yer mine an’ some Folk need be reminded that Earth is nothin’ t’ take lightly. We’re this world’s hearth and home. We might be portly an’ matronly, offerin’ up a warm cup, a hot meal an’ a playful bed, but let them not forget that we birth mountains and swallow rivers, bury forests and shatter lands—Earth can be terrible as well as terribly kind, but both words’re rooted in terror an’ awe.” She winked. “Aye, yer one o’ mine an’ I’m proud t’ have you so long as ye keep yer skin intact.” Her voice left no doubt that there was an unsaid, Or else. Councilex Maia blinked and the threat was gone, leaving a portly, kindly matron with an empty cup in her hand.
    â€œNever expected the bit wi’ the lamps, o’ course.” She sniffed and tossed the mug over her shoulder. It hit the floor and rolled thickly against the rug. “But that’s one o’ the joys in life—the unexpected!” Her face brightened. “Aye! I bets I know one who knows ’bout fending off the change, but ye should let me make the call. If you tried it, like as not you’d be turned in to the Council, an’ not a thing I could do ’bout it ’afore you’re thrown six ways to the wind.” The stumpy woman eyed her, lips pursed, looking smug. “What say you?”
    Something in Maia’s eyes made her leery, but Joy found she couldn’t think of one reason to say no. “Okay,” Joy said. “Arrange a meeting. I—” She tried to say “I trust you,” but found she couldn’t do it. Embarrassed, she swallowed back her polite lie. Maia pretended not to notice.
    â€œThank you,” Joy said instead.
    â€œAye,” Maia said. “You’ll be thanking me plenty before this is over.” She patted Joy’s arm. “Now ye better get goin’ t’ yer safe house right quick.”
    Joy nodded and picked up her phone, dialing her home number, letting it ring twice and hanging up. It was mere moments before there was a sound like a low gong emanating from the wall. Maia toddled over and opened the door. A hum of energy spun on the threshold, a Spirograph in space. That was her ride. Joy stood up quickly and bowed.
    â€œThank you, Councilex Maia, for all of your help.”
    Maia patted Joy on her doorstep. “I envy you, girl,” she said softly,