Page 31 of Instinct for Disaster

“Good evening, Master Yasku. Have you had dinner?”

“I have. It was delightful. I had no idea that so many of the Urther females were underage when they arrived.”

“It was brought up, but there was a contract stipulation that meant we had to take them as a set.”

Mentally, she snickered. It had been a weird stipulation, but her insistence on them remaining together as a pack put them to the fore of this colony. The mine was owned by Yasku as well. Where she was attached, they had to go to a nice, blossoming colony. The placement directors had negotiated on her behalf, and the result was that Nessa and the girls were somewhere she could find them.

Yasku paused. “Cassandra, do you know anything about this?”

“Yes, of course. Hmrain were really bidding for miners, and you were the high bidder. I went to your mine, and they came here.”

Kiddel checked his tablet. “Oh, so you did. That was the criteria. You would take up a mining unit if they had a safe place to live. As there was only one other of your species suited for the mines, we bonded one of each sex.”

“Yeah, he didn’t make it. He got an infection due to poor maintenance of his equipment. It wasn’t one that could be treated.” She yawned.

Yasku snorted. “Are you faking being tired to get out of this conversation?”

“Maybe. It’s been an emotional day, but I have my family back, so I am pleased and stressed all in one. I am an auntie, though. That’s nice. I need to get the little one something.” Shescowled. “Shoot, my tablet is at my house. I can’t get a hold of anyone.”

Yasku generously said, “The knowledge of my house is at your disposal, and you can file for a local com when you are in town tomorrow.”

“Oh. I am allowed to run errands during the party?”

“The gathering? No, but we can go during the afternoon, and you can rest in my city home.”

“Rest?”

“The gathering goes on all night. There is music and food for each of the four species, and you are not allowed to remain in your own for more than ten minutes. You can spend as long as you like in a different zone.”

“Oh, so I can go trolling for partners in other species?”

Yasku opened his mouth and then closed it with a snap. “No.”

He started to walk.

Kiddel snorted.

“What are you laughing at, Kiddel?” Yasku growled.

“She’s free. You are going to have to negotiate.”

She looked at Yasku. “I am good at negotiating.”

“Are you, kit?”

“I got you to take on six children and their guardian for the price of a miner. I am very impressed with myself.”

He blinked.

She smirked and crossed her arms across her chest, kicking her feet idly as he carried her to her room.

He walked into a huge chamber with a wide bed, and she mentioned, “This is a helluva guestroom.”

“You are tired. The sheets are being darned or something. I will carry you over there the moment that it’s ready.”

She looked at him. “You are going with that?”

“Yes. Yes, I am. You go to bed. I will leave you alone.” He set her on the bed and kissed her temple. “There isn’t nightwear, but I am guessing it is not a problem.”

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