Calm Read Free

and anything else on Reepha. If she was heading into a situation as a mediator, she needed to know what she was dealing with.

Chapter Three
    Six hours of research had taken the wind out of her sails. The Lahash were part of the society of Reepha, the Sivith were the other half, and the water and land folk were always at odds. It was no wonder that Kao was going back as a mediator. His people certainly needed one.
    The Lahash enjoyed a peculiar symbiosis with the Sivith, but the Sivith could live quite happily without the Lahash, or so they believed. The Lahash could seduce with a touch and their children were almost entirely born by the Sivith. This strange arrangement led to hostilities, custody battles and general distrust of any of the water born.
    A Lahash child needed to be raised on the land until they had reached the age of five and at that point their secondary breathing mechanisms were mature enough to join the underwater community. This meant that many Sivith mothers lost their children at that age and it was traditional for a large payment to be made for the raising of the Lahash children.
    The arrangement was peculiar by Terran standards, but since it had been going on for thousands of years, Meri wasn’t in a position to judge, only mediate.
    Her head pounded and she stretched. A medical tech approached her, and she was immediately on guard.
    “Agent Arkany?” The Azon smiled gently at her and there was appreciation in his eyes.
    She snapped her arms down and ceased her stretch, reversing the arch of her chest. “Yes?”
    “Negotiator Kao has been asking for you. He is most insistent that you visit him.”
    She got to her feet. “Is he unwell?”
    “No, merely insistent.” He smiled and offered her his arm.
    She took the offered arm and let him lead her back to medical. “Do you unhook many Negotiators?”
    “It is a speciality. Working with the leads and the neuro science takes a special skill set.” He puffed his chest out with pride.
    Meribeth looked over and had to admit that her current companion was very well put together. His leonine features were handsome and the glint in his eyes had a definitely flirtatious aspect to it. “You did a very good job.”
    “Thank you. I have heard much about Kao’s skills as a Negotiator, so it was an honour to give him an easy transition back into the world of physical contact.” He stroked her fingers with his free hand.
    She fought the urge to release his arm and move aside. Instead, she sent a wave of calm through him that had the effect of flattening whatever arousal was starting to zip around in his body. It was a technique she used frequently.
    She felt a profound sense of relief when they entered medical. The tech led her straight to the tank where Kao was floating, and the scowl on her boss’s face showed some of that temper that she had run into over the past few days.
    “Thank you for the escort.” She smiled and dismissed the tech.
    “Anytime, Agent. My name is Jarvin if you wish to seek me out.” He took her hand and pressed a kiss to her knuckles, but the shiver of heat and recognition was absent. Despite the fit aspect of his body, hers was not interested.
    She turned to face Kao, and his scowl was only slightly diminished. “Hello, Kao.”
    He pressed his hand to the plexi between them and with an instinct born of her recent research she pressed her hand to match his.
    Why did he kiss you?
    He kissed my hand. He didn’t kiss me. Probably for the same reason you did. Meri winced at the roar of anger that whipped through her mind. She didn’t pull her hand away from the glass, but it was tempting.
    She watched as Kao got himself under control, and she waited.
    I am sorry. I did not like seeing him touch you.
    I was touching him as well. It was a casual contact as you are very well aware.
    His mind was not casual.
    She couldn’t answer that, so she asked, Why did you want me here?
    I want you with me at all times. There is much to tell