Page 46 of Instinct for Disaster

Cassandra rolled her eyes. “Your people are going to think I am injured or worse.”

They were walking toward the Coybel square, where dancing was getting underway.

All of Yasku’s guests were coming along, including the humans.

Cassandra wasn’t sure what to do about the feeling of being stared at. She could figure out the smugness. Looking at Yasku was enough to make her feel exceptionally smug.

They had an elevated dais to sit on, and the Hmrain and the merchant took seats, leaving the Terrans to stand.

Cassandra looked at the folks lining up for the first dance. It looked like the males were responsible for attracting attention in the Coybel. They were wearing kilts and a strange sort of sandal.

“Kiddel used to be one of the primary dancers, but he was never able to land a mate.”

“Maybe he should be less picky.”

“He has scarring. His people’s females prefer a smooth hide.”

“Oh. How narrow-minded of them.”

Yasku looked down at her. “Your people barely attend the Coybel events. This turnout is exceptional.”

She looked around, and it seemed that every Earth-born person who was single was in the audience tonight.

Betsy was wearing soft grey, and she scampered over with a grin. “Auntie, your makeup is holding up.”

Yasku stroked Cassandra’s hip. “We thoroughly tested it.”

Betsy laughed. “Let me know if she needs to appear for anything else. I have been studying many makeup techniques, Lord Yasku.”

The otherniecescame and sat near the dais, and the dancing commenced. It was impressive, but Cassandra found it difficult to concentrate. Yasku slid his hand under the minimal skirt and did an excellent job of distracting her.

When the dancers finished, so did she. Her nails dug into Yasku’s arm, and he crooned softly into her ear, “There you go, kit.”

She looked into his eyes, and their kiss was soft. They were distracted when the call of “Traitorous whore!” sounded. Wings surrounded her, and she was plunged into darkness.

There was a strange sound, and Harwin tutted. “Uh-uh-uh. Not nice to ruin a party.”

Yasku lowered his wings and said, “She is a very good bodyguard.”

Her brother was upside down, with a knife in his hand, and he was twelve feet above the crowd. Harwin was standing in her tunic and leathers, one hand controlling his motions.

Cassandra looked at Harwin. “That’s new.”

“It isn’t wings, but it is something.” Harwin was calm. “Lord Yasku, where would you like him?”

Kiddel walked forward. “I will manage him.”

Yasku looked at Cassandra. “What will you have done with him?”

“Him and my bio-family off-world and sold in a new bond auction to a new world under a new Hmrain.”

“Yes, Lady Cassandra.” Kiddel was ready, and when her brother came down, her sibling was disarmed and bound, and her sister-in-law tried to attack Kiddel from the shadows. Harwin plucked her out of her stampede, and she whizzed her around until she was silent. Harwin settled her down next to her husband, and she was cuffed as well.

Yasku set her down carefully, and Harwin came to her and nodded at her overseer. Cassandra knew a handoff when she saw one.

“Harwin, where did you learn to do that?”

Harwin chuckled. “Me and Kris were in an accident. They put us in a high-powered repair unit that had manual species settings. It wasn’t set for us, and there were... changes.”

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