Free Bride of Midnight by Viola Grace Page A

that she would be wearing some kind of gown. She had better stick with being driven around for the day.
    She dropped her pack and tool belt, nodding for him to lead the way.
    “That is all you need to do?”
    “If you want me to take more time I can, but I would rather that we get this over with. I have been on duty for a week and you don’t get much sleep out there.”
    “You have been outside the city?” He escorted her back to the lift and they got inside.
    “That is how you tag the creatures of the sand. You have to stand in the sand and figure it out.”
    His dark features twisted in a smile. “The logic is sound.”
    “I think so. I am one of the best at what I do. So, why now?”
    He blinked at the sudden switch in topic. “Um, I don’t know why the Midnight has shown up. It could be that the city is finished.”
    They exited on the main floor and he walked with her to his vehicle.
    Sobi had to admit that the Anvin had nice technology. The city around them had been cobbled together in a few months, using the ship that brought them as building material. Sobi had heard of the Anvin city across the sand, but there were no images of it available on the vid screens as no Prothean had yet to set foot in it.
    The few shadow makers that lived with the Protheans could often be seen looking longingly in the direction of their people.
    The Bright Wave was supposed to land near the Anvin city, but it had suffered a fuel failure and crashed instead. Shadow City was dependant on the shadow makers for her people to survive, and provided that the Protheans held up their end of the bargain, her people would be safe.
    Sobi was one of the women selected to carry out a portion of that agreement.
    She settled in the transport as her companion lifted off and headed for the great hall. The city skimmed by outside the windows, the buildings hiding the fact that the Protheans had gone under the city for their food and energy. It wasn’t a secret. The Anvin had done the same thing according to rumour, but they had the shadow makers, and those men could keep a comfortable dimness over the city.
    When they arrived at the hall, she waited for her companion to open the door. She had attended a few candidate events, and if she opened doors for herself, the Anvin got all twitchy.
    She waited and got out of the vehicle when he opened her door, then walked with him through the doors of the great hall where two bots immediately bustled up to her and bullied her to a preparation room.
    Sobi put up with having her clothing peeled off, her body scrubbed until her skin tingled, makeup applied and her hair twisted up in a loose bun that exposed her neck. The dress that they brought out was ancient Prothean formal wear that the Anvin had decided was appropriate for the candidates. Sobi could understand it. It both concealed and flattered while keeping men at a distance. They literally could not get closer than two feet or they bumped into the skirts. There was less problem with accidental contact and Sobi could enjoy the mild protection as well as the support of the heavily boned bodice.
    The only part of her on display was her neck, collarbone and upper breast. The cleavage on parade was her only insecurity. She lived her days in heavy coveralls. This was definitely a departure.
    The bots put leather slippers on her feet and helped her to stand. “You are ready, miss, but you are late. The dance is about to commence. Please follow.”
    Sobi took a final look in the mirror and grinned. They had even managed to disguise her sunburn. The lower half of her face was always shades darker than the rest of her.
    She followed the bot into the interior of the hall where six other women lined up. She smiled at a few familiar faces and the nervous women smiled back.
    She stood with the rest of her gene group and took up a calm pose with her hands folded across her waist. The timing was close. She just finished settling when the doors opened and the shadow