Page 44 of Instinct for Disaster

“That was a single finger. A paw would be different, and I would not be clutching your back.”

Nessa slowly turned to see the monochrome Hmrain. “I am far beneath your notice, my lord. The tattoo was forced on me after an abduction. I had no choice in the subject matter.”

“What class are you?”

Nessa shrugged and saw Yasku bringing Cassandra back, carrying her carefully. “Most say I have no class. Lord Yasku, is Cassandra okay?”

The Hmrain looked dazed. “My consort is growing wings.”

Cassandra looked irritated. “Yes. My blessed event is a set of Hmrain wings and a seriously slowed metabolism. If he wants kids, he’s going to have to work hard to beat the century mark that ends our contract.”

“I will endeavour to do my best. Your cycle is reduced, not eradicated.” Yasku chuckled against Cassandra’s cheek. Her irritation seemed to have burned off his worry.

Nessa chuckled. “Well, that seems like a time-consuming project.”

Cassandra sighed. “Nessa, shut up.”

Nessa laughed.

“Yasku, I wish to gain information on this particular female. Do you have her codes?”

Cassandra looked at him and snorted. “Oh, tattoo guy. Right.”

Yasku looked around. “Kiddel, can you bring up Nessa’s codes?”

Nessa watched her friend understand what was going on. “No. Yasku, you can’t hand her over to the guy in black and white.”

Yasku snorted. “First, we will find her rating.”

Cassandra sighed. “Her rating is a solid three twelve, and she has people skills, but the girls will be pissed if she leaves.”

Nessa looked at her friend and sighed. “Well, at least you are here to watch over them again. Wait, is this what the khimerion is doing to you?”

“The fifty grams embedded in my skin? Yes. It’s combining with Yasku’s contributions and rewiring me.”

Yasku sighed. “Well, my mineral is used in all regeneration technology. I just didn’t think it would work on its own.”

Cassandra looked at him, and they shared an understanding look as she said, “It’s not on its own.”

He smiled. “No, I suppose it isn’t. We should check on that again.”

Nessa watched her friend’s cheeks warm under all the makeup.

Cassandra kicked her legs idly. “Really? The med chamber wasn’t enough?”

He looked at her as if she was crazy. “No. It was not. I am saturating myself with your output.”

“Geez, that sounds horrible.”

“I see I will have to convince you.” Yasku nodded to those assembled. “We will return. She’s a little timid.”

Cassandra was suddenly outraged, and Nessa covered her grin as Yasku kissed his consort and carried her off.

Nessa looked at the folk she had been left with and suddenly wished that Cassandra was willing to have sex in public. Nessa was vastly outnumbered with one Hmrain getting closer to her.

The merchant hissed with laughter. “Lord Norl, please. The little creature is uneasy.”

He glanced at her as Nessa was easing toward the other humans. “Miss, you will not leave until we speak?”

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