Free Winning Souls by Viola Grace Page B

the man who had checked her in. “Yes?”
    “Please come with me, miss. There is a space in first class. Is this your storage area?”
    Enher nodded and let the aura of hostility fade.
    The woman looked up. “First class? I was told there wasn’t anything available.”
    The crewman smiled. “There isn’t. This was the last seat.”
    He led Enher through another segment of the shuttle and helped her settle in the very comfortable seat with an entertainment vid already showing all the possible activities she could engage in when she landed on Nurmegar.
    He stowed her bags next to her and inclined his head. “Have a very pleasant trip, Enher-Dahl. We will be at the ship in six hours.”
    “Thank you. What was your name?”
    He grinned. “Names are of no importance. Making sure that clients such as yourself get the relaxation you require is all the acknowledgement I need. Teacher?”
    She nodded. “Yes, language and protocol. I have put this vacation off for far too long.”
    He nodded. “Let me know if there is anything I can get for you.”
    “I will consider my options when we have launched.”
    He got to his feet and walked away. Enher couldn’t help it, she watched him until his tautly muscled backside disappeared around the edge of her personal cocoon.
    Perhaps this assignment wasn’t going to be so bad after all. She eyed the entertainment options and selected a few that looked appealing while she stifled a smirk.
    Relay’s instructions were clear. Enher was to let her Reedamani blood show at every opportunity. Strong emotions formed colours that radiated from her skin. The irritations of travel brought the emotions to the fore, and all she had to do was relax her control. Easy. She just had to forget everything she had learned from the Citadel instructors.
     

Chapter Two
     
     
    Her bags were carried for her, and to her surprise, her first-class cabin went along with the shuttle passage.
    “Are you sure that this won’t cost me any extra?”
    The man from the shuttle smiled as he showed her the amenities of her cabin. “No, this upgrade was authorised because it is better for us to show all of our first-class cabins occupied. It looks better for the ship’s records.”
    If Enher didn’t know what was happening, she would be exceptionally pleased. The methods that were used to get the victims into vulnerable positions were becoming clear. Her treatment was being upgraded, and while there was a declaration of no billing, she would receive a large demand halfway through her vacation. Her last two weeks would be spent scrambling for food, water and money to gain her passage back on the ship. That was the standard treatment. It was left to her to find out what would actually happen next. The crewman was fascinated by her species, so it was obvious that she was the correct choice for this assignment.
    She giggled and flopped back on the bed. The vid cameras that recorded her every move probably thought that she was simply enjoying her good luck.
    “Well, you seem to be settling in. Meals are available to order, or you can go to the dining hall. If you choose the hall, make a reservation for one.”
    She nodded. “Thank you for all your help.”
    “If you need anything, just call me.” He smiled and disappeared through the doorway.
    Enher nodded, and she unpacked her bags for the three-day journey through space. She kept her public persona at the front of her mind and took a shower before leafing through the offerings of the ship.
    Shopping, spas and expensive liqueur were all part and parcel of the trip. Enher had no interest in having anyone touch her in any way, she had enough clothing to last her for two years and she didn’t drink intoxicants. Well, she drank them, but they had no effect. What was the point?
    Enher slipped a gauzy robe over her shoulders and keyed on the vids. Each vid had an underlying theme of excess and frivolity.
    She smiled and reclined on the couch, watching the vids and the