The Liminal People Read Online Free PDF

experienced. Nordeen had no heartbeat, pulse, respiratory functions, or even digestive system that I could feel. Every time those deep yellow orbs that he calls eyes blinked, I was surprised. That was probably why it took me a few minutes to respond to his critique of my life.
    â€œWhy king?” I finally attempted in English, realizing I couldn’t recall what language he had spoken to me in. “Why not God?”
    â€œAt best you might become a proper tuner of a god machine, little healer.” He responded in English, after a laugh that frightened me more than I thought possible. “But your providence is what—bodies? Flesh? Perhaps time even? The gods are beyond such things.”
    â€œI’m barely understanding what you’re saying. Are you like me?”
    â€œYou are barely visible as one of my kin, little healer. Don’t presume too much.” There was spittle in his voice that brightened the room as he spoke. It came to me that the others stayed out of the room not out of deference to me but to him. “That the fates make your talent so capricious is your only value.”
    â€œYou know what I can do?”
    â€œDo you know? I asked you earlier. Do you work all flesh, animal, fish, and fowl? Is your trick limited to the body, or do you see the mind and spirit as well? How do you heal? Do you reverse the ravages of time? Or do you connect to the eternal ideal of the flesh and return it to that monstrously stagnant vision? Speak quickly and know I cannot be lied to.” It was the only hint he ever gave me of his own abilities. I told him everything that I knew about my powers, though I left out my brother and my time in London with Yasmine. As soon as he said it, I believed he could tell if I was lying. I banked on omissions not being considered lies. But there was enough in my initial diatribe to make my soon-to-be master/boss content.
    â€œFrom the sounds of it, you are a true healer. Unedited in the corporal connections amongst humans. You will serve my purpose well, if you so desire.” He coughed hard, and in those spasms I saw severely taxed organs illuminate from under his blankets. Whether it was with my power or with the naked eye, I can’t tell to this day. He seemed to be a man unimpressed with shocking others, so I did my best to conceal my surprise.
    â€œYou mean I have a choice?”
    â€œLife worker.” He attempted a smile. “You above all others should know that when there is life, there is always choice. I will not hold you here. Tomorrow my men and I will be gone. If you decide to come with us, I will teach you as much as I can about the thing that has decided to rest inside of you. My payment will be your undying loyalty for as long as I deem fit. You will be taken care of. You will have to work, but it won’t be hard for you. In time, you will come to appreciate it.”
    â€œI’ve worked for warlords before . . .”
    â€œYes, in Mogadishu. That was where you first came to my attention. And as you walked across the original lands to the first tribes who speak to the stars, you carved an arc of healing . . . heralding your presence to all who would look for those such as us.”
    â€œSo why not kings then?” I asked trying to have a conversation instead of an interview. “Why not let whoever wants to find me, find me. If they are gods, I’ll bow. But if they’re men, let them come for me. I’ll just heal myself.”
    â€œI remember when I was your age and just as ignorant, little healer. Yet I pride myself on learning lessons from the past. So I shall not, as my teacher did, bury you in a well with a one-ton rock resting on it to test how long it takes you to build up your strength to climb and lift the rock. Suffice to say, there are fates worse than death that those such as we can inflict on one as limited as yourself.” I shook at the idea.
    â€œYou didn’t want the others in