Page 63 of Alien Healer's Touch

"The seismic activity revealed previously buried ruins," Lazrin cut in. "Similar in construction to what Kavan and Selene described. My scouts watched Hammond's soldiers fortifying the entrance. They've established no base yet, but their activity suggests they intend to excavate—quickly and without care."

I exhaled slowly. "If Hammond discovers more integration technology before we understand its true purpose..."

The door to the Council chamber opened again, and my heart jumped in my chest as Selene entered alongside Mirelle. My lifelines responded instantly to her presence, sending warmth rushing through my veins. She caught my eye, and the corner of her mouth lifted in the subtlest of smiles.

"We've requested your presence, Dr. Carter," Elder Rylis said. "Your perspective on these discoveries may prove invaluable."

Selene stepped forward, her markings subtly visible beneath the sleeves of her clothing. "Thank you for including me in this discussion. The other marked women and I have been comparing notes on our experiences."

"And what conclusions have you reached?" Elder Shyla asked, speaking for the first time since the meeting began.

"The markings appear to enhance natural abilities," Selene said. "In my case, healing. For others, plant affinity or enhanced hearing. But they also seem to be adaptive. Since connecting with Kavan through the neural interface, mine have... changed."

I nodded. "As have my lifelines. The patterns have shifted, becoming more complementary."

Elder Shyla rose from her seat, the intricate patterns of her lifelines showing faintly beneath her silver-blue skin. She approached Selene without hesitation and reached for her hand. Selene offered it, palm up.

"These markings..." Elder Shyla traced her finger above Selene's wrist, not quite touching. "They mirror patterns described in our most ancient texts. The Joining of Minds."

I stepped closer. "The Joining of Minds? I've never heard of this."

"Few have," Elder Shyla said. "The knowledge was lost to most during the Great Division. But certain texts survived, passed down through generations of female Nyxari." She turned to address the Council. "Our ancestors worked alongside other species, sharing knowledge through direct neural pathways rather than through imperfect translations."

"That contradicts our oldest traditions," another Elder protested. "The texts clearly state that our knowledge is sacred, meant only for Nyxari minds."

"Perhaps you misinterpreted the texts," Elder Shyla suggested, her voice gentle but firm. “Or perhaps those who survived the Great Division chose to protect what little remained by restricting access, allowing parts of our more ancient, collaborative history to fade. The trauma of the Division changed us, isolated us."

Across the room, Lazrin and Mirelle exchanged a look. I recognized that silent communication—something beyond words passing between them.

"Could this solve our language barrier?" Lazrin asked. "If these markings truly facilitate direct understanding..."

"The translation stones serve us adequately," an Elder protested.

Mirelle stepped forward. "With respect, they're limited. Technical concepts, cultural nuances—so much is lost. Even now, I hear the edges of your words differently than they're spoken."

Murmurs rose among the Council members, some agreeable, others clearly resistant.

Elder Shyla raised her hand for silence. "I propose a test." She turned toward me. "Kavan, you and Selene have already experienced integration through the ancient technology. I know of a ritual—a strengthening of pathways. If performed, it might deepen the connection already established between you."

My tail flicked with anticipation. "I would volunteer for such a test."

"As would I," Selene said without hesitation.

Elder Shyla studied us both, her ancient eyes searching our faces. "The ritual is intimate. It will enhance what already exists between you—for better or worse."

I glanced at Selene, finding her gaze already on mine. Something passed between us—understanding, desire, the promise of more.

"We understand," Selene said, her voice steady despite the flush spreading across her cheeks. I had seen her steady under fire, relentless in crisis—but this quiet bravery struck me harder than anything before. She wasn’t deferring to me, and she wasn’t performing. She was choosing to meet the unknown beside me. Equal. Unafraid.

Elder Shyla nodded. "Then we shall proceed at once."

The ritual chamber lay deeper within the settlement, a space rarely used in recent generations. Smooth vashkai walls curved overhead, their living stone surface etched with ancient patterns that showed faintly in the dim light. In the center, a shallow basin carved from the floor contained clear water that reflected our faces as we approached.

Elder Shyla directed Selene and me to kneel on opposite sides of the basin. Around us, a small group had gathered to witness—the Council Elders, Lazrin and Mirelle, and a few traditional healers who still looked skeptical of the entire procedure.

"Remove your upper garments," Elder Shyla instructed. "The connection must flow unimpeded between your lifelines and markings."

I unlaced my healer's vest without hesitation, placing it aside. Selene removed her human clothing more slowly, her eyes darting to the observers before settling back on me. When she pulled her shirt over her head, revealing her upper body covered only by a thin band of fabric across her breasts, my mouth went dry. The markings swirled across her collarbone, down her arms, tracing patterns that seemed to call to my own golden lifelines.

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