Pact Read Free Page B

noticed her hands. She had cut herself, and the bloodstains were wherever she had touched the sheet.
    “Oops.”
    Medic Alveck moved to touch her, but Hrakin intervened, put his hands on her waist and settled her back on the med table.
    Alveck was a little nervous. “She broke the table, Elder Hrakin. She has the hallmarks of a strangler.”
    “I will take appropriate measures.”
    The medic was confused. “Pardon, Elder?”
    Mila smiled. “He is my new Familiar.”
    The medical tray Alveck had prepared wobbled wildly.
    Mila continued. “Apparently, he is in the same gene group as D’sekin, but he doesn’t have an aversion to me.”
    Hrakin grinned. “Now, now. Don’t exaggerate. Knowing you are a strangler is another thing entirely.”
    She looked at her hands and saw the fine cut that had opened in her skin. It ran from the webbing of her thumb across to the other side of her palm. It would certainly screw up a palm reading.
    Alveck held her hand and sterilized it before spraying a sealing compound over the narrow wound.
    “Oh, by way, you had a total of eighteen viable eggs.”
    Mila chuckled. “That is what it felt like.”
    Lynni whistled. “That is quite the haul. Your hormone levels must be off the charts.”
    Mila wrinkled her nose. “Usually. That is why they pulled my ovaries back home. My levels were up and down the charts, not to mention the multiple follicles. They tested me for hormone supplements seven times. They were sure I was selling my eggs.”
    “And taking hormones to do it. Right.” Lynni nodded.
    Alveck muttered something about amateurs.
    Mina flexed her hand and looked at the medic. “Can I put my clothing on now?”
    “Yes. Just a moment.” He crossed the room to the bundle he had originally returned with. He extended it to her. “Here you are.”
    The clothing was black and red. “Cool.”
    She hopped down off the med bed and shuffled behind the privacy screen. She flipped the sheet over the edge of the screen and pulled on the snug leggings with built-in shoes and figured out the closure for the sleeveless top. When she was covered front and back, she stuck her head around the edge of the barrier and smiled. “I think it fits.”
    Lynni chuckled. “It is a standard outfit for the Brides. When he has ordered them, you will end up wearing the same colours as Hrakin.”
    Mila scowled. “Why?”
    Hrakin smirked. “I outrank you.”
    Lynni sighed. “He is right. I outrank Leko, so he wears my colours. Same with Ty and Brex. He wears the colours of a Familiar to a Bride. Leko is wearing clothing as Familiar to an Elder. You are going to be the Bride of an Elder, so his rank takes precedence.”
    Mila shrugged. “Fine. We can figure out who is actually in charge later.”
    Lynni grinned, and Leko covered his smirk.
    Hrakin gave her a wry look.
    “Well, Mila, as you are still in need of an Elder interview, we will be heading there next.” Hrakin offered her his hand.
    She stepped forward, and with everyone watching her, she put her hand in his. He drew her close and tucked her hand into the crook of his arm. Medic Alveck had not given her clearance, but she left anyway. If he needed anything else, he could have asked.
    Hrakin’s vehicle was larger than the riot runner. There were four seats arranged on a wide platform. He settled her in the front passenger seat, and he took the position behind the controls and lifted off.
    “So, where am I going to live?”
    Hrakin looked toward her and then back toward their destination. “The Brides live with their Familiars in the Bride quarters under heavy security. That is not acceptable for me. I have a home outside the city limits near one of the farms. We will live there.”
    “Oh.” She frowned. She had been looking forward to exploring the city.
    “Your training will be easier without the constant distraction of running to and from the med station. My home is appropriate for your training and recovery.”
    “Leko didn’t