Pact Read Free Page A

when we landed.”
    Alveck scowled. “Really? We assessed them for stability.”
    “He didn’t like it when I didn’t fall into his arms, or perhaps, he got bored. I don’t know. He didn’t say. I am a little relieved he is gone. He liked to stare at me while I slept. It was creepy.”
    “Well, um, all right. This will be a little uncomfortable at points, so feel free to cry out.”
    Leko nodded. “I will leave you with Alveck. Do not worry. It is a simple exam.”
    Mila smiled tightly and followed Alveck into the exam room. It was time to get it over with.
     

Chapter Three
     
     
    There was pain when the cellular exam got a little personal. She didn’t scream, but she grabbed the metal sides of the exam bed and heard them creak before they snapped off in her hands.
    Alarms sounded, but Medic Alveck finished his scans and patted the back of her hand. “Almost done.”
    The pain in her lower abdomen was intense, but he continued to take his time. When he finally pulled away, he smiled and set down the instrument and sample dishes he had been working with.
    “You had a dozen ripe follicles. I am sorry I didn’t warn you, but I didn’t want to waste time or risk frightening you.”
    She winced at the throbbing pain in her pelvis. “Next time, risk it.”
    He helped her sit up.
    “I will be right back.”
    She sat with the medical sheet tucked over her breasts and waited for Alveck to return.
    The pain hadn’t been agonizing, but her ability to snap the metal was definitely new. Perhaps if she had been training on her trip to Lrrko, she would have discovered it earlier. If there was one thing she had learned in her nearly four decades, it was that wallowing in time that had passed served no purpose. Accept what the past taught you and move on. She had just been taught that the alterations had made her very strong.
    The door opened, and she was amused to see Leko, Lynni and Elder Hrakin. The Elder looked very ill at ease.
    Lynni smiled. “We have solved the problem.”
    By problem, she meant Mila. Mila raised her brows. “Have we?”
    “Elder Hrakin will take over as your Familiar. He is in the same genome class as D’sekin was but considerably more mature.”
    Mila smirked. “Let me guess, D’sekin has a lover in the city somewhere.”
    Hrakin looked astonished, but Leko looked amused.
    Hrakin asked, “How did you know?”
    Mila shrugged. “I was naked in front of him for a few weeks. He tried to get interested, but I am not his type.”
    Lynni blinked. “Oh. Okay. I haven’t run into that yet.”
    Hrakin rubbed the back of his neck. “It crops up in our line every few generations. They are fine as warriors and make excellent team workers, but their personal drives are not motivated to species expansion.”
    Mila shrugged. “Not everyone has to be. As long as the majority of a population moves to reproduce itself, you don’t have an issue.”
    She wrapped the sheet around her and hopped off the med table. She tucked it in completely and walked over to Hrakin. His black tunic with silver piping was snug, and though he was older than Leko, he hadn’t lost any of the muscle mass.
    “What are you doing?” he looked down at her, and she saw the gleam of amusement in his eyes.
    “Taking your measure. I consider myself a good judge of character, and I am examining you for suitability.”
    He blinked, and to her amusement, he put his hands on his hips. She stepped back and looked him up and down. She raised her hand and gestured for him to turn. From front to back and then front again, she enjoyed the view.
    Lynni was laughing so hard she was doubled over.
    Medic Alveck was back and staring in astonishment.
    Mila quirked her lips. “You will do.”
    “I am so relieved.” He smiled and rotated his finger in the air.
    Mila turned slowly before facing him again.
    Hrakin scowled. “Medic Alveck, why is she bleeding?”
    She looked down at the sheet and pulled the back around, and that is when she