Read Online The Rise of Io by Wesley Chu - Free Book Online Page A

“Although I think you should ask for permission first next time. It’s only civil.”
    Would it make you feel better if I do?
    â€œDamn right it would.”
    As you wish.
    â€œYou’re just humoring me, aren’t you?”
    Yes.
    Ella couldn’t help but crack a smile. At least this stupid alien had a sense of humor. Maybe she could make use of this situation, somehow use this thing to her advantage. After all, these aliens had to be rare, and rare things were expensive. Maybe Ella could leverage this alien in her head for some profit. She could worry about excising this Quasing from her head later on.
    You know I can hear your thoughts, right?
    â€œDamn it!”
    Go get some food. We are hungry. Can we agree on that at least?
    The mention of food made the gnawing pain in her belly worse. Ella nodded. “A truce then, at least until after I eat.”
    Very well, a truce. Now go get your noodles.
    â€œYou know way too much about me. I don’t like it.”
    All right. Go get mushroom soup.
    â€œI hate mushrooms.”
    I know.
    â€œCut it out!”

Seven
    Shura
    S hura the Scalpel stepped onto the commercial liner heading back to Moscow. She had stayed in Abu Dhabi one extra day, first to gauge the emirate’s response to the assassination of someone in their line of succession – the reaction was muted, the news quiet – and second, to do some shopping and play a few rounds of golf. She had a weakness for both, and at one point in her youth had considered joining the LPGA and becoming a cultural operative for the Genjix in that capacity.
    That, however, was not the path Tabs had chosen for her. She had always displayed a stronger talent for this type of work, and it suited her Holy One’s skill-set. That was fine with Shura; she had never had the patience to master the art of putting anyway. Still, the enjoyment of the sport never left her, so she spent much of her free time on the greens. In fact, she had even played a full eighteen holes within earshot of her assignment the previous night.
    What if someone recognized you? I did not raise you to be so bold or careless. One day, it will catch up with you.
    â€œPlease, Tabs, the country club next to the scene of the crime is probably the last place their security will look for an assassin.”
    There cannot be that many striking blondes running around.
    Shura glanced at the rest of the first-class cabin. “In the emirates? More than you think.” She turned her attention out the port window as the airliner climbed toward the blue sky. “Besides, I’m just maintaining my cover. I would look positively guilty holed up in my hotel room all day. I need to keep my alibi intact for the next time Dominika Yumashev visits.”
    For more shopping?
    â€œAmong other things. The Prophus are fast running out of neutral parties to recruit now that they’ve hitched themselves to world governments and the red tape and oversight that comes with them.”
    The stewardess brought over a Moscow Mule and placed it next to her seat. Shura kept looking out the window as the view changed from shimmering sands to blue skies to, finally, the floor of white clouds. She would never admit it to anyone, not even Tabs, but she was feeling skittish right about now, more so than at any time in recent memory.
    It was finally time to go home.
    The sheik had been the last assignment on her slate. After that, as promised by the Council, she was allowed to finally return to Russia to attempt to reclaim her family’s place and standing within the Genjix hierarchy.
    Shura had been born into the Genjix. Both her parents were vessels, and her father had been a major rainmaker, a political and financial operative. Unfortunately, her parents had lost their standing and all that went with it when they chose the wrong side in a Council power struggle.
    Fortunately, their sins had not been passed to her. Shura had inherited her