Calm Read Free Page B

The image of him as a father was rapidly overlaying it and doing wonders on flattening her hormones.
    I will speak with you tomorrow, Kao.
    I hope so, Meribeth. He sent a wave of heat and affection toward her, but she held it off with her talent. Above all, she was going to keep her calm even if she couldn’t have her dignity.

Chapter Four
    Until she saw the sociology in action, she was not going to believe that a series of mothers could simply hand over their children at the appointed time. It defied everything that Meri had grown up with. Her mother didn’t easily part with any of her four children as her brothers and sisters-in-law had found out.
    “Are you ready?” The Negotiator was dressed in similar clothing to her own, but on him, it was horribly impressive, as was his regenerated long navy blue hair.
    “As ready as I can be. Where are we landing?”
    Kao pointed to the large structures and large tarmacs. “The spaceport. My family will meet us there and take us to the site where the mediations will be held.”
    “So, you will meet your daughter today?”
    “I sincerely hope so. I have spoken with her on audio connections, but for obvious reasons, there has been no visual contact.”
    “Right, the armour thing. All faceplate, no face.” Meri sighed and shifted nervously.
    “Correct. Are you all right? You seem nervous.”
    He reached for her hand, and she jerked her arm away.
    “Meribeth, is something wrong?”
    “No. It has been a while since I have walked free on a world with a species so similar to my own. I simply want to keep my wits about me.” She winced as she realised she may have gotten too close to the actual problem. When he touched her, her heartbeat galloped out of control, her body warmed and she stared at him like he was the last man in the universe. It was part of the Lahash survival mechanism. They could enthrall with a look and seduce with a touch. She despised the thought that she would just be one of dozens he had simply whispered into his arms.
    He tried for her hand again, and she shifted. “No psychic contact, please, Mediator Kao.”
    He frowned. “I am not used to being refused, Meribeth. This is not like you.”
    She looked at his ridiculously handsome features and nodded tensely. “I know, but I think it should be until this mediation is done. I have to remain neutral for it to work.”
    She could feel him seething next to her. Their shuttle dropped and levelled out.
    “You have until this is concluded to straighten yourself out and be the Meribeth I am used to.”
    Her mouth quirked up on one side. “This is the Meribeth you are used to, you are just not used to being on the receiving end of the calm.”
    He sat grim and growling for the last hour of their journey. When the spaceport allowed them to land, Meri inhaled deeply, ignoring the scent of Kao as best she could.
    He was out of his seat the moment that the lights indicated safety.
    Meri unbuckled her harness and got to her feet, ignoring the hand he extended to her. She wasn’t going to take the risk of a contact reading. His ways were not her ways, and she was having a problem grappling with the methods of propagation of his species.
    She grabbed her two bags from storage, slipping them over her shoulders. She followed the other passengers to the shuttle exit and was immediately smacked by the humidity of Reepha.
    Her breathing was difficult, but her gills immediately began to flutter at her collarbone. She ruthlessly shut them and smiled blandly at the Sivith guards who were watching the debarkation. The Sivith were a handsome species—tall, elegant and graceful—they seemed to be in complete command of their bodies. Their uniforms were made of thin and nearly translucent material, but it seemed appropriate with the high humidity.
    Meri kept her face calm as she sought out Kao in the crush of bodies, and she slowly migrated toward him, only to be stopped by a Sivith guard. “Air breathers must check in over