Page 40 of Instinct for Disaster

“Of course. I wasn’t going to get away with a short cut for long. At least I don’t need to put it in a helmet anymore. Do what you need to do.”

The stylist nodded and said, “Can you come with me? That machine is over there.”

Cassandra got up, and they went to the machine that she had seen versions of before. It was a protein extruder.

It took a few minutes to settle her, but when the stylist activated it, she murmured, “Please excuse my lack of recognition. We weren’t expecting him to choose someone from the new species.”

The machine hummed as it began to work. “My people have a higher Hmrain compatibility rating. It is partially why the number of Hmrain increased so dramatically. A bunch of those who had gone dormant are rising, and those who had decidedto live quietly on their worlds are seeking out my people for the possibility of a compatible mate. They want families as well, or they want to create children to watch over their worlds so they can pursue their own interests. Not a clue, but it’s happening. Six years ago, there were only twenty-four recorded Hmrain, and now, I hear of closer to sixty.”

“They have been stopping by more frequently. A lot of their tech runs on khimerion.”

“Which is Yasku’s sole domain. Well, that explains why there is so much secrecy around the mine.”

The stylist chuckled. “Lord Yasku wanted it in blue, black, and silver.”

“Of course he did. He wants me visible from the air. It’s no trouble.”

“From the... oh.” She chuckled.

The machine hummed quietly, working on her strand by strand. There was a tingle on her scalp, and she suspected the dyeing mechanism had been added.

A woman approached her, and she heard a gasp and a clatter. “Circe!”

Cassandra didn’t move her head, but her eyes locked onto the older woman. “My name is Cassandra.”

The stylist was shocked. “Marta, clean that up and get out of here. Lady Cassandra is being generous with her calm.”

Nessa called out from the edge of the salon. “Marta? Oh, boy. Is Ginelle with you?”

The older woman jolted and muttered, “Yes, she is in the nails part of the spa. Do I know you?”

Nessa laughed. “No, but I know you. I heard all about you over a very long winter.”

Marta looked from Cassandra to Nessa. “That is where you went?”

The stylist hissed. “Speak respectfully to the lady. She’s the consort of Lord Yasku, and you know what that means, right?”

Cassandra murmured, “I won’t drink anything she brings me.”

The stylist nodded. “Of course.”

“And don’t let her touch anything I am going to consume. She can’t be trusted. I also wish for a new manicurist if Ginelle was assigned to me.”

“Of course, my lady. I will be back in a moment.”

The stylist was gone for two minutes and returned with a new cup of tea. “Here you are, lady. Untouched by their hands.” She set the tea down and went to the machine. “And you are done.”

Cassandra stepped out and felt the heavy weight of hair against her back. “This will take getting used to.”

The stylist nodded. “I can imagine. Now, if you wish to take a seat next to your friend, the braiding can begin.”

“The what?”

“The overseer has designed a braid pattern for you, and we are going to do the braiding while your nails are done. I did not realize you were the consort as your hair was short, and you were not alone.”

“Are consorts usually alone?”

“When their overseer is not with them, I have heard there are bodyguards.”

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