Ashes, Dust, and Androids, Julie Steimle [best romance ebooks txt] 📗

were the words, “Thou shalt not kill” written on the pew before her.
Officer Hills shook his head, puzzled. He stepped from the remains and headed back to his men. “Take it away.”
Agent Keller pushed his way through the Regulators and shoved past Officer Hills to the charred android.
“My chip!” He tore at the burnt skull casing. The military shielding still kept his hands out, sturdy and lasting. The metal was fused together.
“It’s gone, Keller. It’s gone.”
Agent Keller froze, staring at the blank face of the machine.
Hills turned from the ashen man and headed out the door of the chapel. He stepped into the grey air of the city. Trash sat littered in the streets and crowds of people watched at a distance, peering at the crumbled building and the shiny dark cars parked outside.
The priest bowed as Officer Hills stepped down the concrete to the street. “Did you find what you were looking for?”
Hills stared at the gray sky above the rubble, beyond the ridged skyscrapers. Chuckling slightly, he answered, “Yes, thank you.”
Leaning in and remarking to the officer, the priest whispered, “It’s too bad, though.”
“What?” Officer Hills said, turning in surprise.
“It’s a shame androids don’t have souls.” The priest turned and walked back up the steps to the church.
Hills watched the man go, wondering if perhaps there was an exception. Imprint

Publication Date: 11-13-2009

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