Untrained Fascination (4 page)

Lianne studiously didn’t look at Bella. “You don’t say.”

He narrowed his eyes. “We have questioned Isabella, and her mind has not given a clear explanation as to what occurred. Would you care to enlighten us?”

Lianne folded her hands in her lap. “I was given the job that I was most suited for.”

There was a snort from the corner of the office where the other Rrassic stood in shadows. Iktabi looked to the corner and sighed. “Despite the monitor’s opinion of this matter, it is serious. We have trusted the assessment officers to be true to their positions. Isabella has broken that trust.”

“No, she didn’t.”

Lianne felt every set of eyes on her, with the exception of Bella’s.

“Bella told me that I was qualified for the Breeder class, and I panicked. I had a full-on fear response. She assessed it and knew that that classification would destroy me, my confidence and make me useless. I hate being useless. Instead, she took the chance on my mind settling into the change and gave me the job that I could thrive in. I have been the highest-rated operator in the port for the last six months. Here, on another world, I was able to do what I am good at. Bella made that possible.”

Bella cleared her throat. “She isn’t a woman you can put on a shelf. She has to be active. I am pretty sure that that is why she was selected.”

Iktabi leaned back, and his wings flexed, silhouetting against the window behind him. “Why didn’t you report it?”

“You had a monitor watching all of us every day during the arrivals. Do you think we might have wanted to make it easier on the other humans? On our friends?” Bella was leaning forward with her shoulders tense.

The winged Rrassic looked surprised. “You knew her from Earth?”

Lianne frowned and opened her mouth, but she wasn’t able to speak. A pressure on her mind kept her silent.

Bella nodded. “We went to school together. We were friends.”

Iktabi frowned. “You didn’t mention that when we started this.”

“I answered the questions I was asked.”

Lianne smiled at the pugnacious tone. She knew that tone, and Bella was about to start cursing.

The overseer leaned back, and he steepled his fingers together. “Well, in light of this information, you will have to be given Breeder classification.”

Lianne’s heart sank. Bella looked at her, and she opened her mouth with one hand raised.

Lianne could nearly see the sparks that were trying to emerge from Bella’s head. Nothing got her friend more irate than seeing another friend in a preventable situation.

The monitor in the corner was holding Bella immobile.

Iktabi held up his hand. “However, in light of your mental situation, the glowing reports from your supervisor and the confirmation of this meeting, you will be able to continue your occupation.”

Lianne was shocked. “I can just go back to work?”

“You can... with some alterations to your schedule. You will have to attend the mixers that are organized between the humans and Rrassic.”

She made a face. “Fine.”

“You will need one escort at all times.”

She frowned. “Why?”

“The other Breeders are in special quarters where security can be assured. You are not. If you wish to continue to work and function normally, you will do it under escort.”

Lianne frowned. “For how long?”

He shifted his wings. “Until you find a mate. It is a peculiar situation, but we are sure that you can manage it.”

Lianne had a sudden concern. “What will happen to Isabella?”

“She is under probation. We will watch her carefully. At present, she is the only one of our administrators that has been found to be circumventing our regulations.”

Bella was still stuck in her angry pose.

Iktabi cleared his throat, and Bella settled back into place.

Bella turned and smiled at Lianne. “Don’t worry. I will be fine. They might audit my assessments, but everything will work out.”

Lianne still wasn’t sure.

Iktabi got up, and he had an ident band unit in his hands. He came around the desk and used the cutter on one end to free her wrist. When she had her own pale skin exposed, she wanted to rub it, but he put the unit on, and her new ident band was in place.

“You are free to return to work, Lianne Whelling.” He smiled tightly. “With your escort.”

She made a face and got to her feet, realizing that her eyes were only at nipple height. He was just as freakishly tall as the rest of the Rrassic. “Good day to you. Nice to see you, Bella. Keep in touch.”

“You too, Lianne.”

“Overseer Iktabi. Did this new band carry over data from my previous one?”

He nodded. “It did.”

“Oh, good. Thank you.”

She left and heard the footsteps of the three men behind her. “I am just going back to work, guys. This isn’t a high-security event. I don’t need all of you.”

The central Hunter spoke. “Oh, we have nothing else to do. We have been assigned to you for the day.”

She led them through the building and out into the street. They formed up around her as a shift began to release into the street. She definitely felt guarded on their trip back to the port.

Mrtok was surprised when she cleared security and returned to her station. To her amusement, the Hunters were stuck on the other side of the barrier.

“Lianne, I was not expecting you back today.”

“Oh, I am cleared for duty. I just have to keep an escort with me when I am out and about.”

“Why?”

“I am now a registered Breeder with a job. I don’t know if I am the first, but I think I will enjoy the process of dodging the others.”

“The others?”

“The Rrassic who take mates.”

“Got it. Well, I will go and speak to them; you get to work. We have gotten three more requests in, and the clock is ticking.”

Lianne smiled and headed for her machine. She always felt at home with the delicate controls that would move tons of goods and materials in a matter of minutes.

She hummed to herself, trying to ignore the ramifications of the meeting as she looked at the
shopping list
and got to work.

* * * *

Sorrok entered Iktabi’s office, and he stopped in front of the desk. “What were the findings?”

“She was—is—a Breeder. Since she is also the most competent loader that we have, she will remain on duty each day with an escort to and from the port.”

Sorrok scowled. “That isn’t what I was anticipating.”

“Tough. Isabella was about to start cursing, and it takes forever for her to get that irate. She knows Lianne, and this is the best combination of situations.”

“The assessor changed the file?”

“She did. She assessed that Lianne would not thrive in the position of Breeder. It would have been one change too many for her after coming here.”

“How will you punish the assessment officer?”

Iktabi chuckled. “I will work something out. Was that everything?”

Sorrok scowled. “How—when will Lianne be at the community hall?”

“She has to be at one of the mixers every four days. Her escort will ensure it.”

“Can I get a notice?”

Iktabi ran a hand through his hair. “Ask my assistant to put you on the notice list. The Luthin who escorted her in are already on it.”

“What?” His outrage was sudden and ferocious. How dare they?

“Even the Saya who was here was interested in her, though he probably won’t act on it.”

He snorted and flexed his claws. “Let him try.”

“The Regiz have also brought a few of their people into town. You might have a fight on your hands.”

Sorrok faced his friend and repeated. “Let them try.”

“Excellent. See my assistant on the way out.” He inclined his head. “Good hunting, Sorrok.”

Sorrok nodded and left the office, pausing at the desk to speak to Iktabi’s assistant. “You are human.”

The woman with the long, dark hair looked at him and nodded. “I am. What can I do for you, Hunter?”

“I need to be put on the alert list for Lianne Whelling. When she goes to the community events, I need to know.”

“She is a popular girl for someone that no one knows is out yet.” The woman smiled slightly and typed in the information. “There. You will be alerted when she is in a common area and when she is socializing.”

He paused. “Is there a way to be alerted when she is at the gym?”

The woman smiled slowly. “Well, you are paying attention, I will give you that. Yes, the alert is filed. Your account will notify you when she is heading to the gym. The escort she has with her is required to file the plans.”

“Thank you…”

“Isabella.”

He looked to Iktabi’s closed door and back to her. “I see.”

She shrugged and smiled. “Yes.”

She was wearing two bands, one on each wrist. He understood why Iktabi wasn’t worried about her. She was chained to him.

With a small nod, he left her and wondered about how long it would be before he got a notice.

His communicator pinged before he was out of the admin building. Apparently, the new Breeder was at the gym and heading for something to hit. He was volunteering to train her, whether she liked it or not.

She changed into something more suitable after Mrtok had kicked her off her machine for the second time that day. Heading to the gym to settle in for an evening of flailing around at the combat projection seemed a better use of her time.

With the Hunters following her, she was definitely in the mood to fight. Tomic found her new escort hilarious, and her hands tightened.

The Hunter that followed her into the gym was careful to keep his distance, but it wasn’t until she was in her fight space that she was finally alone.

She wrapped her hands and faced her hologram. She mirrored the stance and struck and retreated. The beat got faster, and she was just getting into it when the locked door opened.

She hit the floor as a holographic fist came at her head and yelled, “Off!” Her fight partner disappeared with a flash of energy.

Hunter Sorrok was wearing the loose, sashed trousers that the Rrassic wore at the gym.

“How did you get past the guard at the door?”

He chuckled. “Lianik knows I am authorized to be here. You are still technically under investigation.”

She blinked as he moved across the space and wrapped his hands to match hers. She took in the striped markings that slashed across his body and finally gathered her wits.

“What do you think you are doing?”

“Well, you came for a workout, so I thought I would actually train you. Watching you flail around is painful.” He smiled as he finished wrapping his left hand.

“You are joking.”

“I am not. If you are determined to maintain a balance between your work and your status as Breeder, you will need an outlet.”

“You are volunteering?”

“When I am available.” He walked up to her.

She stared at him, taking in the muscles under the velvety skin of his chest, the thick-corded neck and the wide jaw before she jerked her gaze to his face.

His expression was patient and very amused. “Would you like to begin?”

She licked her lips and nodded. “Yes, please.”

Sorrok moved behind her and corrected her stance, using his feet to kick hers as he adjusted her posture.

When he finally had her in the proper stance, her muscles were starting to hum with fatigue, but they had just gotten started.

They sparred in slow motion. He stopped and corrected her as they went until the proper position was second nature.

He noticed that she was exhausted before she did. “Halt, Lianne.”

She paused and looked at him with bleary eyes. “Had enough tutoring for the night?”

“You are tired. It is time for you to go home.” He took her hands and unwrapped them. He rubbed the reddened skin with his thumb. “I forgot you would discolour.”

She chuckled. “It will heal.”

Sorrok continued to rub her knuckles with his thumb. The soft velvet of his skin was an amazing contrast to the strength of his hands.

She swayed again, but this time, she noticed before he did. “I think you are right. I should definitely call it a night.”

He leaned in and whispered, “Just remember that if you want a Zjin-Rrassic, there is nothing like the real thing.”

Her blush went hot, and she scampered out of there as if she had been scorched.

Her guard stopped her. “Was he inappropriate?”

She blinked, and Sorrok was leaning in the open doorway. “No. He wasn’t. I am just not sure of what I am doing. This is quite the change of focus.”

Her escort nodded. “Good. I will be here when you finish in the change room.”

She nodded and turned back to Sorrok. “Thank you. That was definitely a better workout.”

“You should see what I can do with a full evening.” He winked and she escaped.

* * * *

Sorrok looked to Hunter Lianik. “Is this duty going to be difficult for you?”

The Luthin-Rrassic laughed. “Are you kidding? She smells like heaven when she sweats. I could follow her through a portal and onto another world.”

Sorrok gave him an even look. “So would I.”

“So, it’s like that?”

“It is like that. Hopefully, she will soon see it my way.” He looked toward the change room and sighed. “Take care of her.”

“Of course. It is my job.” Lianik smiled.

“And if you lay one hand on her, I will claw you in two from head to toe.”

Lianik smirked. “I understand you would have to try.”

Sorrok clapped him on the shoulder and went to get changed.

* * * *

It was both a relief and a disappointment that Sorrok was gone when she got out of the change room.

A short walk later and she was back at her place with the addition of a guard at her door. The end of a very weird day couldn’t come soon enough.

As Lianne stumbled around her apartment and got dressed for the day at work, she was positive that the previous day’s scenario had been caused by a food allergy she didn’t know she had. She went through the motions and pulled on her normal work clothing, thinking that everything was going to be normal. When she left for work, another escort confronted her.