Free Flicker by Viola Grace Page B

thought you were male.”
    “Why?”
    “Your record. You have never lost a client and have engaged in a wild run of daring manoeuvres to save them. Some that I would have thought physically impossible before I met you. I just assumed that you were male.” He was blushing again. “I don’t know how to say this, but you don’t smell like a woman.”
    She snorted. It was not the first time that she had heard that one. “I have had my scent producing glands suppressed. It makes my job easier if they can’t smell me coming.”
    “Was it a medical procedure?”
    “Yes. I can reverse it if I wish to. But I think I would only do that if I decided to settle down and raise a family. That isn’t likely to happen.” She smiled, sad that he couldn’t see it. “It would be hard to raise a child that could not find its mother.” He certainly was chatty. This was the most that one of the guards had asked her. Usually they were all about the job.
    “What about the invisibility? How does that work?”
    “It is an instinct that I trained until I was able to maintain it all the time. It is an outcropping of psychic energy.”
    “Can you turn it off?”
    “Yes. If I wish to. The situation hasn’t arisen yet.” She hoped that he could hear the smile in her voice. She didn’t really socialize and this was the first semi-casual conversation that she had in a long time. Seval was amazed that she missed it. It was one of the small things of her past life that she missed.
    That, and Starbucks.

 
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Three
     
     
    “Okay, now back to the reason I came in here.”
    “Right, the briefing.”
    He was tugging the lines of his tunic straight and she fought the urge to help straighten it and flip his hair back over his shoulders. It really was very pretty, long black strands that were almost blue in the light of the suite.
    “The Ambassador for the Olanka federation. She is attractive, a compatible class and has a tendency to take physical advantage of other Ambassadors and Representatives. She uses pheromones for seduction and it has the effect of creating hostilities in the gathering around her.”
    She smiled, then sighed when he couldn’t see it. “Exactly. So you are to guard the Representative of Mathi. He is in pre-mating susceptibility and if he defiles himself with an alien he will be unable to mate with a female of his species.” She looked in the mirror and tried to fluff her hair in the reflection and only succeeded in causing her aura to flicker. Bummer. “I have worked with Nar of Mathi before. He should be no trouble. But keep an eye out for Xara. If she can’t seduce, she will take by force.”
    “Thanks for the warning.”
    “You need it. She will be pouring pheromones out, enough to seduce half the station. You have enhanced senses, Ben, you are vulnerable.” Unable to control herself, she turned and walked to him. Without a second thought, she placed her hand on his arm. He flinched slightly, then relaxed and fumbled his hand over hers. It was her first time initiating contact since her training. She was unprepared for her reaction. The touch of him under her hand sent zinging energy along her nerves. Her mind blanked and she could feel her normal self-control rioting.
    “Seval. What’s wrong?”
    He was grabbing her by the upper arm and supporting her, the feel of his hands on her wasn’t helping her gain control. She didn’t even register that he had been able to get an accurate grip on her until he swept her up and laid her on the bed. As soon as his hands left her body, she felt better. More calm. Back in control.
    Looking at herself gave her the shock of her life. She was visible. Meeting Ben’s shocked gaze, she pushed her body to its safety settings as quickly as she could. In less than a minute, she was invisible and across the room.
    “What just happened?” He took a few steps toward the edge of the bed where she had disappeared.
    “I lost control. Please don’t