Free Untrained Fascination by Viola Grace Page A

could want.
    Her new clothing was already hanging in the wardrobe and an invitation to dinner a few doors down was flashing on her com unit.
    With a desperate reach for what she considered normal, she called Mrtok.
    “Hello, Lianne.”
    “Supervisor, I have been moved to the Breeder compound. Am I still working for you?”
    He frowned. “Let me check.”
    She watched as he shifted and pulled up the information on his computer.
    He smiled. “Yes. You are still my loader. I am expecting you tomorrow.”
    “Good. I just have to find out how to get there.”
    “The overseer’s office will send you an escort. They will be there in the morning an hour before you are due at the port. There is also another investigation note on your file, but that appointment is in the afternoon. What has happened now?”
    “Attempted abduction by Regiz. It got a little bloody, but I have seen a medic and I am fine.”
    “You will have a follow up tomorrow when you are finishing your meeting with the overseer.”
    She made a face. “Fine. See you tomorrow.”
    “Good. I need someone here I can trust. There was a flawed shipment, and the Hunters are all over the place. I am counting on you to get things moving.”
    “You know me. I live to work through the lists.” She smiled.
    “Good. We have shipments to get out.”
    “Yes, sir, see you in the morning.”
    His scaly face split in a grin. “You had better. I am depending on you.”
    She nodded. “I will be there.”
    She disconnected the call and sat back in her chair.
    Sorrok had left once he saw her to her door, promising to return shortly. Upon opening her door, she had found that all of her possessions had been placed around the room and set in pleasing displays. It was annoyingly organized.
    She got to her feet and practiced the patterns that she had just learned. The smooth movements and light pull on her muscles was relaxing. Even the twinge from her arm soon ceased as she bent, turned and stretched in slow, controlled combat with no one.
    By the time she had calmed down a little, her head was pounding a little and she was reminded of how the day had started.
    A knock at her door brought her out of a lunge, and she headed to the door, peeping at the view screen and opening the door for her morning companion.
    He held up a padded container. “As you are on medical observation, I got you something for dinner.”
    She snorted. “I had nearly forgotten about that.”
    “I did not. I had to hand over the shreds of your clothing and picked up the meal on the way back.”
    “Oh, yeah. Evidence.”
    “Correct. The witnesses have already ensured the sentence of banishment, but this will keep leniency from emerging.”
    “So, I don’t have to testify?”
    “Not if there were witnesses and vid recordings. The fight took place on the street.”
    “Oh, yeah. I guess I forgot. It was distracting.”
    He chuckled and reached for her, pausing. “May I approach you?”
    “You didn’t ask that in the gym.”
    He smiled. “You had already given me authorization to touch you for instruction purposes. The kiss was a liberty.”
    She sighed. “Fine. You can approach me.”
    She was engulfed in a hug a moment later. Lianne inhaled and smiled against his chest at the soothing scent that surrounded her. She relaxed by increments, and he rubbed her back.
    “Tell me about your life before you were brought to Imrahl.”
    She noted the name of her current world of residence. “I just worked like I do here, loading and moving shipments all day, every day. On the weekends, I would go out with friends, but now, Lisa is on the other side of the city.”
    “Who do you miss from home?”
    She stiffened and pushed back. “My mom, my sister, my brother. All the folks on my file that are being threatened depending on my good behaviour.”
    He sighed. “It was considered the most expedient way to get cooperation from your people. It worked.”
    She scowled and looked up at him. “Holding our