Page 56 of Invasion of Sorority Z

She laughs. “I wish. I used leftover scraps and gravity to build a makeshift water distribution system from a pond on our property. The rest of it is just dirt and seeds. Well, we had some plants given to us too but that’s the gist of it.”

“She is brilliant, is she not?” I boast, truly proud of her inventive nature.

Lovan is wise enough to understand the brilliance of Stee-vee, and he agrees. “It seems you have an impressive mind.”

My mate does not know what to say. I am still teaching her how to accept compliments, so I understand this. She is a humble female.

“Should you like a language implant, Stee-vee?” Lovan asks. “I have a small version that is compatible with creatures your size.”

“Language implant?” my mate asks.

“It is a small chip that will allow you to speak and understand our tongue. You do not need it, but it may help you adjust on our planet.”

I did not even think of this. Selfishly, I do not think of Stee-vee speaking with anyone other than I. But it is a good idea. Should my mate become lost—Mother forbid—the ability to ask for help is crucial. Lovan is a wise male.

My Stee-vee looks to me, biting her lip. “Should I get one?”

“It is a good idea,” I tell her. “It is a safe technology, I have seen them used before.”

She smiles, reassured by my words. “Okay, I’ll take it,” she tells Lovan confidently.

He offers a nod of acknowledgment, and gets up to gather the implantation device and the chip. Once he’s grabbed what he needs he approaches my mate and I.

“I will numb your skin, and you will not feel a thing,” Lovan tells Stee-vee. “It goes in the back of your neck; your mate can hold your hair up.”

Trusting us implicitly, she turns around and lifts up her many curls with her hands, offering them to me. Lovan uses a little spray to coat her skin and the numbing agent acts quickly. With a clean needle, he pokes her and dispenses the chip into the base of her neck.

“The key to this technology is not to question it too much,” he warns, using our language. “You will confuse yourself if you think about how your lips are moving and the words they are forming. You will hear your own language naturally now. From your voice and from others. But the technology will make the words you say reflect who they need to be said to. Yes?”

“Daan,” she replies, and I grin, hearing my words on her lips.

“Perfect.”

I let her hair fall into place and she spins back around. “That’s it?” she asks. “I’m all set.”

“Indeed you are,” he agrees. “It is a simple technology.”

“Wow.” Her smile is one of excitement. “I feel so cool all of a sudden.”

I chuckle. “You have always beencool, my mate.”

She snorts. “If you say so.”

I do say so.

“I am going to get her home,” I tell Lovan, sliding my arm around my blossom’s shoulders. “Space travel has tired her. I would extend an invitation for dinner to you, but my mate is still adjusting to our planet. When my brothers return, I am sure they will also be needing health bands for Stee-vee’s friends. We shall do it then, I wish to thank you for all of us.”

“It is unnecessary thanks, but I will accept if I am available.”

“Oh wait!” Stee-vee blurts. “Did Rem reach out for a bracelet for Sarah?”

Confused, Lovan asks, “Why would Rem need me for this?”

Now she is confused as well, looking up at me with crinkles between her brows.

“Rem and Lovan made the technology themselves, he has many at his home.”

Her mouth pops open and she gasps. “Rem made this?” Her arm lifts, and she points to the band. “Rem our friend? He helped make this and you didn’t tell me?”

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