Into the leopards den, p.7
I Hunted My Fatal Mate (Blind Date Corporation, #23), page 7
“Keska built that for her to replace the one the Uraddans had installed. It has analytical capabilities that enable her to select her targets. A lot of the dropped bodies that were assigned to Jeneev were this woman instead. She’s a walking chemistry set.”
“Sort of like Khytten.”
“Yes, but Ival’s effect is exclusive to the nervous system. No corrosive effects, so you have to know where her target was touched to begin looking for a treatment.”
Arcady whistled. “Yikes. Salmet lets her run around loose?”
“Have you heard of any incidents anywhere in Aksalla?”
“No.”
“Then, there is your answer.”
Ival looked up toward the camera. “I can hear you, you know.”
Zera blinked. “Seriously?”
Ival jacked her thumb in the air.
Arcady stared. “That isn’t in her file.”
“Uradda had sloppy recordkeeping. They thought one manifestation was all an active could manage. Bureaucracy at its finest.” Ival’s voice was quiet.
Hemma looked toward the camera and gestured to her ear and then to Ival.
“And it was just confirmed. Hyper hearing. She should join the reapers.”
Ival smiled softly. “I have killed enough, and they have been asking.”
Zera paused. “Ival, can you come out here?”
“No. But you can come in here. I am not leaving Hemma alone here.”
Zera nodded. “Right. I am coming in.”
Ival nodded, and Arcady kept monitoring Hemma floating in the tank and listened in a little.
When Zera and Ival finished their discussion, Arcady was stunned, and Zera had a sad expression.
“She’s not Uraddan. Well, not fully.”
Arcady nodded. “I heard. Her mom was an omega?”
“Yup. Handed over to the Sethir-Nin as per the treaty. She was obsessed, he died in action, and she killed herself. So, since his family didn’t want the child, Uradda was her only country.” Zera frowned and rubbed her forehead. “It makes me want to ask the refugee centre for genetic testing, but I know it is a delicate topic for them.”
Arcady said softly, “Maybe offer it if they want to know their origins? Give the countries a chance to find their lost children and grandchildren.”
Zera nodded. “It’s a thought.”
“Run it past Salmet. She’s giddy with speaking with Renovik for the first time.” Arcady smiled.
“I will run it through Khytten. Salmet likes her, and she’s been hearing from me frequently lately. Khytten can hide behind the grandkids.”
Arcady smiled. “Got it. Oh, you are doing it now.”
“We have a perfect time right now. The babies are being put down for the night, and Khytten’s daughter is with them.” Zera walked into another room and asked for the favour, explaining it to the ladies who were in the lab right now.
Khytten agreed to pass the information on, and then Zera had to wait.
Chapter Five
Hemma watched as Ival stood and faced the door. “Come in.”
A woman that Ival had only seen on the news stepped in, followed by an equally familiar male, then a male Sethir with a scorpion tail and a lovely woman holding his hand.
“Hello. Here to visit Hemma?”
The woman smiled. “No, we are here to speak to you, Ival, but does Hemma mind?”
Hemma put her hands under her chin and stared.
“She wants to watch.” Ival kept her hands against her abdomen. “What can I do for you?”
“The Sethir have looked up your files, and there is an issue that needs to be addressed.” The man from the stronghold spoke softly.
“I have nothing to do with the stronghold. My grandparents didn’t want to raise me, so they threw me back to Uradda.” Ival was calm.
“It was your uncle who had you sent away. Your grandparents were mourning their son, your mother took her own life, and everything was going wrong. You were supposed to be safe in his household, but his children didn’t care for you, so he responded to an offer from Uradda and was paid to return you to what he was told were your other grandparents. An older couple met him at the border, and you were given over to them.”
“And my cousins got new dresses. That is what they wanted.” Ival kept her voice calm.
He frowned. “You knew?”
“Yes. I have enhanced hearing and the ability to keep myself quiet.”
“But you were five.”
“Yes. I was five, and Uncle Mekalion was always trying to keep his family happy, and I did not make them happy. I went to Uradda and into the creche.”
The scorpion man said, “They didn’t bring you to your family?”
“They were my family. They didn’t want me either. Mom had disgraced her family when she actually fell in love with her alpha. I was an embarrassing byproduct for all parties.”
He frowned. “That isn’t the case. After their mourning period, your grandparents went to collect you. They were shocked to find that their son had disposed of you.”
“Yeah, well, it was a long time ago.”
He nodded. “They are still alive. They want to welcome you home again.”
“Home is a fluid concept. Besides, they were huggers. I can’t be hugged, I can’t be touched, and I can’t touch others.”
“They just want to keep you safe and know you are well.”
“I am well. I can speak with them on the com until my visa runs out.”
Salmet said, “What is the issue with your visa?”
“I am self-employed. I am not necessary to Aksalla. I am out of here in four weeks and already have a few places in mind.”
Salmet winced. “Your occupation?”
“Author. I publish under the name I.R. Righter.”
Riko grinned. “I love your stuff. Just the right touch of humour and sensuality.”
Ival nodded. “Thank you.”
Salmet said, “Have you registered your activation?”
“Yes, I am in the dangerous and unnecessary category. My books are goofy, so I don’t qualify for the artist visa. You can’t make an exception for me, Prefect. Even Caska can’t find an option. I have enjoyed your country. It has been a good place to recover.”
The man from the stronghold said, “Where will you go?”
“Wherever I like.”
He looked at his wife, and she shook her head. “I don’t see anything.”
“Oh, that is because I have died a few times. It changes the pathway of my future.”
The woman said, “Baola could see Nelith, and she had died a few times.”
Ival smiled. “She is linked to Baola and the family. She saw Nelith in her own future.”
The woman blinked. “Well, fuck.”
Her husband covered his eyes.
Ival smiled. “Indeed. I am not upset about it. I am toxic from head to toe. I have been in contact with a grand total of two people since I activated. One was my husband, and the other was in a fighting pit.”
Hemma looked shocked. She held up her hand and pointed at her left hand.
“Yes, Hemma. I was married. He died away from home.”
Hemma’s mouth was hanging open.
“Zukker Ilando. Serpent activation. We married the first time I got loose and had a few years together before he died on a mission. I was in the news a lot at that point, and Uradda demanded me back, so I went. There didn’t seem to be a point in fighting.”
Salmet looked sad. “Where were you?”
“Thorassen. He was the Frozen Serpent. The memorial is lovely. Zephyr takes me to visit now and then.”
Salmet said, “Would you go there?”
“No. Now that he is gone, I have no place there. They don’t have citizenship via spouse after the spouse is dead.”
“Oh. Damn.”
“Yeah. So, today, I am here, and since I am watching over Hemma, I figured I would give the biochem department a thrill and offer some toxin samples.” She smirked. “Keeps the little raccoons busy.”
Riko smirked. “Can you control it?”
“It’s a neurological agent. I can alter it to be stronger or weaker, but it always is. Unlike Khytten’s adaptation, mine emerges from all over my skin.”
Hemma made a wavy signal with her hand.
“Yes, Hemma, he had scales all over. Yes, all over.”
Riithan blinked. “You are an omega?”
“Hah. No. Thankfully. When my husband died, I felt grief but not suicidal. My world didn’t end, it just got lonelier.”
Salmet asked, “How did you get out the first time?”
“Oh, I was smuggled out when I activated but before I was recorded. I was sent to Thorassen and entered high school there. That is where I met Zukker. He was there on a recruiting binge, having graduated six months before me, and he was so pretty and shiny. When I started college, he asked me out. We married six months later.”
“So, you could be around other students?”
“Sure. Back then, the effect was restricted to my palms. When Zukker died and I was returned to Uradda, they worked with me to develop my activation, and my body bears the scars.”
Hemma gestured.
“No, I am not taking my clothing off. The scars are all on record with the Aksallan immigration authority.”
Salmet prodded at her com unit and said, “I swear, you Uraddans are fascinating.”
The scorpion said, “So, you weren’t always completely toxic?”
“No. I used to have a nice, controlled emanation. Palms and the soles of my feet. Saliva if I was really irritated.”
“Do you have fangs?”
“No. Just really good at spitting.” She smiled and fluttered her lashes.
Hemma started laughing, bent over.
Salmet smiled and then paused. “Oh.”
“Ah, you reached my file, you curious little minx.”
Riko snorted, and then his smile faded as he saw the projection of her body with the marks catalogued.
The seer gripped the scorpion’s arm. “That’s...”
Salmet said softly, “Do you—were you used to fight?”
“Yup. My punishment for leaving my motherland. They tried to get me working next to Hemma for a while, but I wasn’t any good in the hotter regions where I had to wear gloves and cover all my skin. Hard to seduce someone when you can’t show skin.”
“When did the bite to your shoulder occur?”
“Um...” She closed her eyes. “Eight years ago.”
The seer blinked. “How old are you?”
“Forty-six. I moisturize.”
Salmet smiled. “Her biology is unusual, but no further examination was engaged in.”
Ival laughed. “Great. So, I am guessing you are the prince of the Sethir?”
He nodded. “I am. Riithan. This is my wife, Ylara.”
“Pleased to meet you. Can you get me my grandparents’ information? I don’t actually know their names.”
He paused and then nodded. “I will send the information to Zera. She will get it to you.”
“Thank you. I really want to visit my cousins and auntie, but that is a whole other thing.” She looked at the folks staring at her and smiled. “Plausible deniability.”
Riko chuckled weakly.
She looked at her visitors. “Did you get what you needed?”
Salmet looked at the image on her com. “Yes. Thank you. If I can find a way for you to stay, will you?”
“Do not put yourself out on my behalf. You are busy enough with those partnering up. I am deliberately solo.”
Zera knocked softly, and Hemma started clapping. Ival looked at her and shook her head.
“Ival, if you register with the BDC, you get visa approval. You don’t have to stay here, but it might be entertaining to watch men drop at your feet and be paid for it.”
“You just want to let your chem lab take more scrapings.”
Zera paused. “That is part of it. Khytten’s effect is localized, and your entire glandular system is involved. We would like to try to reduce the effect again. Put you back where you started.”
Ival cocked her head. “Why the BDC?”
“We may have a few males with armoured skin who are seeking contact. You may be a match.”
“Do any of them bite?”
Zera paused. “Two. Why?”
“I have had one bite, and it took a very long time to heal from. I am guessing he was venomous as well.”
“Yeah, I have the records from the fighting pits. He was venomous all right. He’s a registered patron. He has also been requesting an escort with toxic skin.”
“That is weirdly specific for a request.”
Zera said softly, “What would your request be?”
“Someone I could touch; someone I can draw on a book cover.”
“Doesn’t have to be good in bed?”
Ival snorted. “They can be taught.”
Salmet snorted, and Ylara covered her mouth.
Zera nodded. “Fair enough. We will test their reactions to your toxin and pick any of them for the short list if they don’t need emergency treatment.”
“Ah, so that is why they are trying to make a treatment for it.”
“Don’t get me wrong. It is the most exciting chemical cocktail they have seen in years.” Zera smiled.
“Why keep me in Aksalla?”
Zera said, “Because a seer said you were needed. I trust that. Not for your future, but for the future of the person you were with.”
“Oh. Talk vaguely to me.” Ival smiled. “If I stay, I won’t have to move my books. So, that’s something.”
Salmet nodded. “I really want to hug you.”
“That would be very unwise.”
“Yes, but I still want to do it.”
As Salmet stood there, she turned silver and slowly moved forward to hug Ival. It was strange being hugged by someone her own size who was so cool to the touch, but Titanium didn’t fall. She backed up and smiled. “There.”
Ival said softly, “Now go to a decontamination shower and wash me off before you kill your spouse.”
Her eyes widened, and everyone gave her a wide berth as Arcady met her at the door and took her to a shower.
Zera asked, “How long does the effect last?”
“If my skin is scraped, dried, and pulverized, an effective, stable poison can be made.” She shrugged. “Just add water.”
“Do you know what your activation was originally?”
“Sure. I was pain relief. If someone had a headache, pain, nerve damage. A light touch from me once a day could ease them for hours. Then, they turned me up.”
Zera asked, “How?”
“They threw me into the pits, and I only survived by making the effect stronger. So, they set me off against stronger and stronger actives. That’s how I lost my eye; that's where the scars came in. Poison got faster. It is still really just the original sedative, but hyper-concentrated.”
Zera nodded. “Strong enough to stop a heart.”
“And blow the liver or kidneys. Even causes complete hemorrhaging if the active is sensitive. I have seen the destruction up close. It isn’t pretty.”
Zera nodded. “Riithan, do they agree it’s their relative?”
He nodded. “They do. They will fund any and all treatments to get her to the point where they can hug her again.”
Ival held her hand up. “Not necessary. I make my own money. Plus, Zera wants to study me and pimp me out. She’s paying.”
Zera snorted. “She isn’t wrong. The chem team is signing up for overtime so they can keep working on the sample before it degrades.”
“I didn’t set it to degrade quickly. In general, if I am not paying attention, it lasts five hours. You guys wanted to play, so I extended things.” She laughed. “You would not believe the water treatment system I need at my house.”
Zera blinked. “Can we go and take samples of your water ponds?”
“Sure. It will speed up checking the degradation of your toxin.” She walked out to talk to Arcady, and Salmet walked back in with Riko. Amusingly, both looked damp.
Salmet smiled. “Thanks for the warning. I hadn’t considered that you would stick to my clothing.”
“It’s kind of like tree sap, but it washes off more easily. Water-based for the most part. The oil bit is the toxin.”
Zera asked, “Would you be willing to try working with Khytten?”
“Well, she’s a hugger, so... it would be difficult.”
Salmet smiled. “I will talk to her about it.”
“I am lactose intolerant.”
Zera blinked. “Is it a bad reaction?”
“No, but it is uncomfortable.”
Hemma was clutching her ribs and silently laughing again.
Ival snorted. “I can’t take it direct, moron. Not only do I not swing that way, but it would kill her.”
Hemma shrugged.
They chatted for a few more minutes. Arcady came in to take another sample from Ival’s cheek. “The chem lab is super excited. They have found nine different uses for the first samples. It’s only the concentration that makes it toxic.”
Riithan nodded. “That is what she was telling us.”
Ival nodded. “I have had it analyzed a few times at a private lab. It has been pleasant to meet all of you, but I am writing a few songs for the Uraddan event on Friday. They will need to practice them tomorrow.”
Zera grinned. “But you are willing to sign on to the BDC?”
“Sure. If I can’t kill them, they will kill me, so it will be a short date.”
They left the room, except for Zera, who walked over and spoke with Hemma for a few minutes.
Ival got back to the songs and sent them to Hemma, Chaos, and Zephyr.
Hemma was looking better. The marks on her were fading, her gills were more pronounced, and the melted skin was changing into healthy flesh. “You are looking good, Hemma.”
Hemma smiled and curtsied while floating. She was nothing if not graceful.
She paused and looked at Ival. She held up her hand and tapped the ring finger.
“Oh, Zukker. He was a wonderful man. His family was very attached to the idea of position and wealth, and I brought neither. No family, no money. I was leaning on the system at that point. His family hated me. They only softened when they saw how happy their son was with me. I was young, twenty, when we married. They thought that was too young. He would go off on missions, and I would make the finances stretch so I could eat and keep our home. He forgot to set me as his financial recipient. His parents got paid when he went on missions and just told him that I wasn’t a good cook and they were providing for me. We would eat normally when he was there, and when he left again, it was back to rationing. But when he was there, I was happy. Then, one day, he didn’t come home. I was paraded out at the memorial, and when we got home, there was an offer from Uradda. So, once again, I was sent away. This time, I wasn’t a new active running; I was a captured active that was going to be experimented on. It wasn’t an ideal situation.”
