Perfect Read online

  “Okay, who are you, and what are you doing with Brex?”

  He turned slowly to see Ty glaring at him, wearing a towel and holding a chair she should not have been able to lift. There was no waver in her arms. It was easy to see she was willing to brain him.

  “I am Brex, Ty. The bot body was necessary for your security. Now that we are home, it is more comfortable for me to resume my skin.”

  Ty blinked and frowned, her skin was pink and pale at the same time. She was stressed, and it had been too long since she had eaten.

  “You need a meal, Ty. Sit, and I will get it for you. Put down the chair when you are ready.”

  It went against all his instincts to turn his back to her, but he heard the chair thud to the floor a moment after he ordered her a meal from the dispenser.

  “Why was it needed for security?”

  “We didn’t know that you would be as injured as you were. We were sent out for collection. The bots were to keep you from bonding onto any particular Familiar that wasn’t your own. We also needed to be able to get acquainted with your bodies without a sexual component being introduced.”

  He moved around and prepared a tray for her, keeping his senses trained on her at all times.

  “If you are Brex, what was the first thing you said to me?”

  He smiled and turned to see her behind him. He held up his right hand, palm toward her.

  She pressed her hand to his, and he fought his reaction to the contact. The use of bots was now crystal clear.

  He hadn’t felt this impatient since he was an apprentice, but focusing on her body, he saw that she still wasn’t ready for any physical interaction. With a deep sigh, he shifted his hand so that he was holding her small appendage in his. He pressed a kiss to her palm and smiled. “Come on. You need to eat.”

  He registered her change in body temperature and smiled. Her face was hot, and the rest of her was flushed.

  It wasn’t a bad start.

  * * * *

  Ty’s heart pounded in her chest. It was the first true caress that she had felt, skin to skin, since the day of the attack.

  Brex’s living body was the same size as his bot body, but he still moved like a dancer. His features were elegant and appeared to be a strange blend of human species. The high cheekbones and slick black hair were Asian, but his eyes were wide and a hot mauve. It was the same colour as his bot lenses. Cute.

  She sat at the table, still wearing nothing but her towel. Nudity around Brex had become second nature, but now, she was going to have to re-evaluate that habit.

  The food was familiar. It was the same stuff that she had started eating at Lunar Base. She nibbled, and to her surprise, he joined her with his own plate. Right, he was flesh and blood again.

  “So, two suns and four moons?”

  “Yes, we have violent tides here, so most of the training centres are inland.” He smiled, and the clear curve of his lips caught her eye.

  She imagined that face overlaid on every conversation she and Brex had had so far, and her heart skipped a few beats.

  “So, you were raised with a group of other boys?”

  He nodded. “There are vids that outline our society if you are interested.”

  “I am interested. Definitely interested.” She worked on her meal until she couldn’t eat another bite. It was still only a portion of what she knew she should be consuming, but it had been a while since she was on solids.

  “Good. That will take the place of your therapy today. You have had enough punishment to your body for a day.” He nodded.

  The silky tail of his hair slithered around and over his shoulder while he ate.

  “So, what is a natural heir?” Ty watched as he spluttered and coughed lightly.

  His voice was a little hoarse as he said, “It is a genetic blending with your genes and the genes of your Familiar. It is customary to carry the embryo for three months before it is removed to the gestation tubes. When your heir is born, they will be able to start producing the daughters that you were brought here for.”

  She paused as she grappled with the idea. “So, ostensibly, they will be able to keep harvesting and storing my eggs until I choose to get pregnant?”

  “They will give you a few months, but it is entirely possible that by the end of the year, they will issue an ultimatum.”

  She nodded. “Well, I did get a new life out of this, so I can’t really complain. They take the child when it is three months along?”

  “It frees you up to ovulate more rapidly.”

  “Of course. I wish there was a way that didn’t involve them stabbing me through the lady parts.”

  Brex finished his meal and cleared the table. “I have spoken with Alveck. He has one more chance. If he does any more damage, another medic will be assigned to you.”

  “He is your brother, right?”

  Brex nodded. “As your species would mark such things, yes. We share a genetic donor, but our designers were different.”

  She bit her lip. “When the babies are growing, can I visit them?”

  Brex brought back a pitcher of water and a pot of tea. “Of course. If you would like to see the gestation facility, it is under the floor where we met with the elders. All four floors of the building are research and embryos in various stages of development.”

  “I think I would but not today. Can we watch those vids?”

  “Of course.”

  Ty took her tea and a glass of water to the lounge section of her room. Brex turned on the vid and showed her the origin of the Lrrko.

  Three hours of sociology documentaries later, she leaned forward. “What is that?”

  Brex was writing some kind of report, and he glanced up. “Flight suits.”

  “Can I do that?” She stared at the screen where young men were soaring above the city, curving and twisting through the air as they flew.

  Brex looked at her and quirked his lips. “I would have to get authorization to teach you that. I would also need to contact some of the youngling schools for a suit that would fit you.”

  She sighed. “It was just a thought. Can I still learn how to fly the riot runner?”

  “That I can teach you under the self-defence code. Leave the flight suits with me. It may need to wait until after your heir is safe.”

  Ty wasn’t sure how she felt about that, but it made sense considering the whole reason she was here.

  “Brex, can we still do a training session today?”

  He nodded. “Of course. It will give you an opportunity to see the rest of the Bride facility.”

  She looked down. “I just need to get dressed.”

  He laughed. “That will assist in me not getting distracted while I am guarding you.”

  Ty stood and went to hang her towel up in the bathing room, and then, she wandered out to get her bodysuit. Brex had one hand over his eyes.

  Ty blushed. “Sorry. A few days with a new body and I lose all propriety.”

  “We will get used to each other. You are learning me all over again.”

  That was what it came down to. She pulled on her suit and sealed it, slipping her boots on over her calves and tightening the closures.

  “Ready when you are.”

  “We are going to expand your wardrobe. Your workouts are going to become more intense and additional freedom of movement will be useful.”

  He looked at her, and there was a gleam in his eyes. He had a plan, and she was part of it.

  Chapter Six

  Four days after she arrived, she was in combat training. She had no idea what she was doing, but she was doing it fast and fist first.

  “When is Ly coming?” She ducked a swing and lashed out with her foot.

  “Her ship has left Lunar Base. She will be here within six days. Leko has filed his flight plan.” He blocked her attack and grabbed her foot, flipping her through the air.

  Ty did as she had been taught and landed
in a crouch before she lunged forward and attacked again.

  “Where will she be situated?”

  “She will be on your floor, but she will have her own routine. When the others come, you will have your community, but it will pull you in different directions.”

  She punched and he blocked.

  Finally, he clapped his hands and called a halt. “Okay, knife practice.”

  Her hand-to-hand knife skills were impressive already, but her throwing sucked.

  The workout space was huge. The pads covered the floor, and targets were lined up against one wall. Brex led her to the weapon racks, and he pulled out a dozen blades.

  “You know what to do.”

  Ty nodded grimly and stood with one of the blades in her hand, and with a whipping of her wrist, it flew and struck the target... in the knee.

  Brex sighed and moved around her, holding her wrist and directing her motion. The blade flew true and centred itself in the torso.

  “Well, at least the first time you hit the target. Remember that the knife becomes an extension of your arm.”

  She focused and ignored the press of the hard body against her back. It was the hardest thing she had ever done.

  She mimicked his throw, and the blade thudded into the thigh of her target.

  “The right amount of force, but work on your aim.” His lips were next to her ear.

  Focus was coming together and shattering in a swelling cascade as she tried to aim for the target again. This blade went into the crotch, and Brex chuckled.

  “Ouch. Keep going.”

  He kept himself pressed against her as she threw blade after blade.

  She continued until she was out of blades and the target looked like it had body slammed a metallic porcupine. She had managed three shots to the head, two to the heart and all had actually hit the target in one way or another.

  Her hands were shaking, and she was limp. “Is there every going to be a reason for me to throw that many blades?”

  “I sincerely hope not, but you need to have the skill set. You are part of a new hope for the Lrrko, and that means that you will become us as time passes. That title carries a weight of skills and a mindset that you need to understand. Every child in school can make the throws that you did today. You are starting late.”

  Ty straightened, and Brex stepped back. She turned and looked up at him. “Not my fault.”

  “Didn’t say it was. I am glad you are embracing the training.”

  She wrinkled her nose. “Even if it hurts.”

  “I will give you a rubdown after your bath. Are you ready for your run?”

  She groaned. “No, but I will do it anyway. I need to keep my cardio up.”

  “Come on then. Once around the building and then back to your quarters.”

  She made a face. “When can I see the city?”

  “When you can see danger before it strikes.”

  She kept her face twisted. “That seems unlikely.”

  “I don’t know; your instincts are better, reflexes faster. We will soon run a trial, and you will be tested.”

  “Wonderful. I can hardly wait.” She stretched. “A run now?”

  “A run. Ten extra minutes of massage for every kilometre you can run.” He gave her a slow smile.

  She took off at a steady pace, loping around the running track until her body glowed with sweat and her mind was clear. Thoughts of her sister flickered up, but she was constantly being reassured that her sister was alive and well, though not really chatty at the moment.

  Ty let her feet thud into the ground as she ran; each impact jarred her body until she was swaying with every step. She had probably been running for an hour when Brex called a halt to her exercise.

  “Enough for today. Tub and then massage. Let’s go.”

  She stumbled after Brex to her quarters. She took a shower to rid her of sweat and then soaked her muscles in the bath. When she was done, she wrapped herself in a towel and headed into the main room of her quarters. Her bed was in the centre, but Brex preferred to use his bed for the massages. His bed protruded from the wall and folded up in the morning. It did make an excellent massage table.

  Brex was ready for her when she came out. He helped her onto his bunk, and she lay down on her stomach, loosening the towel so he could move it as he needed to.

  He put oil on his hands and rubbed them together. “I hate to say that this is the most fun part of my assignment.”

  She chuckled as his hands slid over her. “I had a funny feeling.”

  He was thorough with every touch. He found each bound muscle, and his hands slid along her until she was limp and relaxed, dozing under his touch.

  When he flipped her, his hands were just as devoted to relaxing her, but as he took out the knots in her pectorals, her body started to tense in the strangest places.

  He worked the muscles down the sides of her ribs to her belly. When he shifted to the front of her thighs, she exhaled in relief.

  He rubbed her calves, tweaked her toes and moved to stand behind her head. Her shoulders and neck got a thorough rubdown before he wrapped her up in a towel and tucked her into her bed.

  “Brex, would you join me for a nap?” She felt warm, relaxed and on the border of propositioning him.

  He paused. “I would love to, but I have to file your progress report.”

  Ty yawned. “When can I learn to use one of those flying suits?”

  “When the elders give their permission. I would not hold your breath.”

  He dimmed the lights and went to the terminal. “Go to sleep. You need your rest.”

  “It is the middle of the day.”

  “Then, you need a nap. Get some sleep. If your readings are strong enough tonight, we might be able to go out into the night market.”

  Ty glared at him. “You tell me that after you tell me that my napping is essential? Jerk.”

  Brex chuckled. “Yes, I am.”

  She yawned and nestled down in her cocoon. She would show him.

  Ty brushed her hair and twisted it into a braid. She ran her hands down her bodysuit. “Do I look all right?”

  Brex lifted a length of silky fabric from the wardrobe. “It doesn’t matter. You will be wearing this over everything.”

  “So, I can see them, but they can’t see me?”

  “Precisely. You are also going to be wearing this belt.”

  He reached into the wardrobe and pulled out woven metal links that he settled around her hips.

  “What is it?”

  He grinned. “It says Property of Brex.”

  She kicked him in the shin. “It does not.”

  He chuckled. “Close enough. It identifies you as protected. The symbol is that of the council of elders.”

  “So, it is a last measure of defence?”

  He went back to the wardrobe for a third time. He pulled out a series of straps and some daggers. “These are. No respectable woman of the Lrrko ever goes around without weapons, even the ones who are here as companions.”

  “Am I a woman of the Lrrko?”

  Brex looked her over when he finished getting her dressed. “You are definitely getting there.”

  She looked out at the city below. “I could have sworn I was here already.”

  “Not yet, but you are getting there.”

  With a flourish, he put on his own cloak, and for the first time, she saw that he was as deadly as he was huge. His movements changed, and even his features were shadowed. His weapons blended in with the thick muscles of his thighs, and his belt contained a number of pouches with undefined contents.

  They might be going out to see the city, but he was ready for anything. She was in good hands.

  Chapter Seven

  Food stalls abounded, and Brex treated her to quite a few of the items on a stick.

  From what she could see of the locals, they were calm, respectful and aware of the world around them. The
y might be relaxing, but no one had their guard down.

  Brex stayed next to her as they walked through the market, stopped to watch dancers of both sexes and then visited the craft stalls.

  Ty understood something vital in that excursion. The women that the Lrrko had brought home were physically compatible, but their children looked entirely like their mothers. From her studies, Ty knew that it meant one thing. The entire species of Lrrko was class zero. They could only carry on their line within their own species. That the Bride ship had landed on Earth had been a stroke of luck. Class zeros made up ten percent of the population.

  She finally understood why the five identified Terrans were so important. The chances of class zeros getting together over generations was astronomical. Even one stronger line would have wiped out the compatibility with the Lrrko. It was a moment of bright understanding.

  She smelled the foreign spices, listened to the rhythms of the music and watched the people that were more hers than she had given them credit for.

  Interacting was not an option tonight, but there would be other nights for her.

  After two hours, Brex ushered her back to her quarters, and he removed her weapons and the belt.

  She insisted that she could do it, but he pushed her hands aside and simply put the weaponry away.

  Her cloak came off, and he hung the fabric up with care.

  To her surprise, he began to unfasten her bodysuit.

  “What are you doing?” Ty broke the silence.

  “I am getting you ready for bed.”

  She bit her lip. “I am not sleepy. I mean, I had a nap and everything.”

  He smiled. “I am counting on that.”

  She blushed but lifted her head to his as he came in for a kiss.

  It started as a soft brushing of lips, but she undid the clasp of his cloak, unbuckled his weapon belt and started to work the clasps of the daggers.

  When her fingers weren’t nimble enough, she went for the magnetic closure of his figure-hugging tunic. That article of clothing came away under her seeking hands without difficulty.