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  “Healers, can someone please do something?” Niisa was nervous. If this was the plague, it was going to happen fast.

  One of the Healers reached out and touched her skin. The swollen bruise mark receded, but it didn’t disappear.

  “How could I be infected? I wore my suit and am in a sealed environment.”

  Debarren scowled. “We will figure this out. I am going to check your blood. I have the equipment in the shuttle. I will be right back. Don’t panic.”

  Niisa kept breathing evenly, and the Healer to her left touched her arm anytime the bruise grew bigger than a thumbprint. It seemed forever until Debarren came out of the shuttle with a grim expression.

  “Did you ever have that spring pox?”

  She pursed her lips. “No. My mother didn’t take the chance with any of her kids when it was around. Why?”

  “Because the antibodies that Yohwen has protect her, but you don’t have them.”

  She winced. “Can you use her blood to make a cure or give me the antibodies?”

  He scowled. “It will take quite a bit of blood.”

  “I will ask her then.”

  Niisa headed inside the shuttle before they could stop her. She opened Yohwen’s door and immediately headed for her feet. One thing could get Yohwen up, and it was to have her feet touched.

  She flipped the covers away from the vulnerable area and drew her knuckle sharply up Yohwen’s arch. The Masuo immediately snapped down into a thick sock to cover her foot, but it was too late. Yoh was awake.

  “Niisa? What is it?” Yoh was rubbing her eyes and not too focused.

  “I have come down with the plague, and I need you to agree to provide antibodies for me.” Niisa looked to where Debarren was standing in the doorway.

  “What? Of course. Debarren, take what you need. Niisa, how are you feeling?”

  Niisa looked at the mark on her arm, which was down to her wrist again. “I have felt better.”

  Yoh sat up and tried to get to her feet, but she swayed alarmingly. “Debarren, now. She isn’t getting any better.”

  He was at her side in a moment, and the blood donation was underway. He took nine vials from her, and she was asleep on Niisa’s shoulder before he was done.

  “You weren’t kidding. She really does sleep through anything.”

  “Only when she has been haunting. Any other time, she is the lightest sleeper you could imagine. Creepy, really.”

  “I have what I need. Can you tuck her in?”

  Niisa nodded and helped move Yohwen back under the covers. Orkill had been circumspect and left her in her underwear, but Yoh wouldn’t be impressed when she got up. She loved her black lace but hated to sleep in it. Orkill had gotten an eyeful, and hopefully, it would make him a little more aggressive with his attentions.

  Niisa looked at the spreading plague splotch with worry. How the hell had she gotten infected in the first place?

  Chapter Eight

  Yoh’s sleep tank filled up, and she popped out of bed the moment she was rested. Niisa had the plague. “Damn it.”

  She took a quick solar shower and wrinkled her nose at the red marks left by her underclothing. She dressed and grabbed water and a meal, joining the rest in the makeshift medical bay.

  Niisa was covered with dark marks, and her breathing was laboured.

  Debarren had sweat on his brow, and two healers were working to keep Niisa stable. Yohwen walked up to Orkill and pressed herself against his side. Everyone was doing what they could, so there was nothing for her to do.

  Orkill put his arm around her shoulders and pressed an absent kiss to her head. “She will be fine. Debarren is about to administer the antibodies. After that, we wait.”

  She nodded and watched as Debarren injected Niisa on one of the few clear points on her neck.

  “Orkill, have you and Debarren walked around during the day without breather gear?”

  “Once it was made clear that our species were not at risk, yes. Why?”

  She blinked. “I will tell you later.”

  Niisa gasped as her back arched and the two Healers worked to fight her body’s response to the foreign antibodies. Niisa twitched, thrashed and finally lay still.

  Yohwen gasped and moved forward to Niisa’s side as the Healers stepped away. The violent colouration beneath her skin was fading and bright colour was coming instead.

  Laughter bubbled up, and Niisa glared at her. “Why are you laughing at me, I am dying.”

  “You are not dying, you have spring pox. The antibodies are doing their work.” She stroked Niisa’s dark hair away from her face.

  Debarren looked stressed and exhausted. “Is it dangerous?”

  “Keep her hydrated and keep her from scratching. She will be fine. She is not a child, she will survive it easily.”

  “You shouldn’t laugh at me, Yoh. I have seen you in your underwear.”

  Yoh snorted. “Big deal. Thanks to your influence, it matches.”

  “I know.” Niisa giggled softly. “Can I rest now?”

  “Sure. Rest when you can. I will see if anyone can rig some mittens so you don’t scratch holes in your skin.” She chuckled and winked.

  “You are having too much fun with this.”

  “Of course I am. You are going to live. You will be itchy for a week, but you will live. That is worth smiling about.” She pressed a kiss to Niisa’s heating forehead as the pox drove out the plague.

  It was truly a moment of the lesser of two evils being the more desirable turnout.

  Debarren smiled and took hold of Niisa’s hand.

  “Debarren, do you have any of those antibodies left?”

  He nodded. “Of course.”

  “Then, give yourself a shot before touching or talking to another Ysheer. I am pretty sure that you were the source of infection.”

  He blinked in shock, and another Healer immediately took a blood sample, running it for analysis. “She’s right. It isn’t airborne, but you are a carrier.”

  He stumbled away from Niisa in horror. “Oh gods.”

  Yohwen waved him down. “Calm down. I am pretty sure that this is how it was designed. We just need to inoculate everyone here with Wedderal spring pox and that should do it.”

  The female Healer with the dark green hair smiled, “How much blood are you willing to part with?”

  “Whatever is needed. Take what you need, but leave me enough to live.”

  Orkill came in with a tray full of snacks and water packs along with three cups of caf. “Sit her down, and I will keep her hydrated. I need that shot too.”

  Knowing what they needed precisely, the blood taken was less than a litre. It was enough to make her dizzy and lightheaded but not enough to kill her. She leaned heavily on Orkill as he walked back to her quarters with her. He had gotten one of the first shots, and he was in early stage of spring pox.

  He needed a nap, and there was no danger of anything peculiar going on. He simply wasn’t up to it.

  She stripped her clothing off and crawled into bed while he was in the lav. She turned her back to him and pulled the blanket over her shoulder.

  He crawled into bed beside her, a blaze of heat against her spine. He pulled her tightly against him, and despite his interest, he didn’t do anything more than nuzzle her hair and start breathing deeply.

  He was asleep, and the even breathing of his body took her with him.

  Yoh woke up and felt a little dry. She jolted when the arms around her waist tightened and lips trailed against her shoulder.

  “You have skin like a child. Sun has never scorched you, has it?”

  She licked her lips and croaked, “No, I was always studying. There wasn’t time for the beach or lake.”

  He should be wracked with pain right now, unable to focus. As his hands moved over her, focusing wasn’t a problem for him, but it was becoming one for her.

  She squirmed. “I don’t want to upset you, but I don’t engage in this kind of th
ing very often. Well, never. Yes, never is a good word. So, if you let me just get out of here, you can do whatever you like, and I will go check on Niisa.”

  He sighed and released her. “I promise to go slow. It was just too tempting.”

  She blinked and sat up. “You should be either sleeping or struggling to focus. What happened?”

  “Oh, I burn off viruses. It is a Scorcher thing. We don’t get sick for long, even when directly exposed. Unfortunately, our systems are not suitable for donation.”

  “Ah, I see.”

  He laughed and slid his hand to the back of her neck. “Let me show you.”

  He kissed her, and his mouth tasted of caf and berries. She sighed and he flicked his tongue against hers, and she could definitely feel the heat. Yoh cuddled close to him, the bedding trapped between them.

  He swept his hand down her spine and urged her closer.

  She stroked his cheek and cupped the thick cords of his neck as she moved until she was plastered against him.

  She shifted as heat ran from the touch of his lips against hers, down her throat, through her chest and arrowed to her belly.

  Yoh moaned slightly and pushed against him, breaking the kiss with a sigh of regret. “I have to check on Niisa.”

  “I am sure she is fine.” He kissed the side of her neck and worked his way across one shoulder.

  She chuckled and pushed away, letting the fabric fall away. Nudity wasn’t one of her hang-ups, so she left his stunned silence and headed for the lav.

  A quick solar shower didn’t do much to ease the heat he had woken in her body. Just to make sure, she checked her body front and back looking for any kind of discolouration. She was clear of blemish and as pale as the day she had been made.

  Leaving the lav, she tugged on her underthings while Orkill watched.

  He swallowed heavily. “You certainly have a taste for undergarments. Are they entirely lace?”

  She looked down. “They are both lined with flesh-coloured fabric. They make me feel pretty.”

  He shook his head as if trying to clear it. “Well, you look beautiful, but I guess you know that.”

  She was suddenly shy. “I actually don’t. I know I look like my mother, and she was beautiful, but I have my father’s colouring, so I was never sure how the combination went together.”

  “It was a good combination, even if the match wasn’t sound, if that makes sense.”

  She blushed, “It does. Thank you.” She pulled on a vest and a snug pair of trousers. Her Masuo tucked themselves over the legs of her trousers and held her calves securely.

  She felt she needed to say something to the naked man lounging on his side, his dark hair spilling over one eye. “Have a nice rest. I will see you later.”

  He grinned as she escaped the room.

  She leaned against the closed door and breathed deeply. Well, if that was how Debarren had come on to Niisa, she was pretty sure that the naked romp was well deserved. Only Yoh’s inexperience kept her from trying to figure out if he could burn any hotter in her arms.

  It was a matter that was going to require some study.

  Chapter Nine

  “Quarantine? What do you mean, we have to go into quarantine?” Yohwen asked the voice of Relay.

  “A member of your party has been infected with a world-killing pathogen. We need to make sure that you will not pass that on to any other planets or species. There is a medical ship on its way, and you will remain in quarantine for seven days while a full scrub of the ship is completed to confirm that you are safe to travel.”

  “Why do I have to be there?”

  “You may be immune, but your clothing and possessions need to be completely scrubbed. You don’t have the facilities on Raven Touch to do the job.”

  Yohwen was grumpy. “Fine. I will sit there while Niisa and Debarren make out.”

  Relay’s voice was amused. “So, they have made their match? Commander thought they would.”

  “Who is Commander?”

  “A matchmaker. Well, he used to be commander of Morganti Base, but now, he and his wife Pilot travel from base to base, Citadel to Citadel, and steer folks toward their matches. Debarren and Orkill got their matches on record, but they were a little surprised when they were steered toward Wedderal.”

  “Tell me about it. Wedderal is a dead end for most things.” She sighed. “Well, I am glad Niisa is happy.”

  “Has Orkill begun a courtship? I know it is odd. Matchmaking takes the spontaneity out of it, but Commander is never wrong. Orkill was given the peculiar description of the Master Haunt, but I am hoping he figured it out by now.”

  “He knew he was coming for me?”

  “He knew he was coming for the Master Haunt. He had no idea it was you.”

  She chuckled softly. “Well, that explains his relief.”

  Relay was amused. “He told you that much? Good. It means that things are on the way. Now, we have arranged for the Citadel outpost to be located on Wedderal. It is on Creesarth Mountain. Do you know the place?”

  It was near her father’s family. The Dahls would not be pleased. “It is rather remote.”

  “That is the idea.”

  Yoh thought it over. “Can I offer to build a new outpost?”

  “If you like, but we do have a place ready for you to move into when you return home.”

  “Whoa. I have not signed on to the Citadel yet. Niisa got the plague before we could talk it over.”

  “Well, talk it over and get back to me. The Citadel is exceedingly eager to have a Haunt on board. There are any number of races who believe that the souls of their dead remain in orbit or on the ground. Someone of your skills could name your price.”

  Yoh chuckled. “That is Niisa’s job.”

  “Fair enough. So, ask your friend and join the Citadel. You will have another rank to enjoy. Specialist Dahl, Master Haunt, it sounds good, doesn’t it?”

  “You are a horrible salesman, Relay.”

  The woman sighed. “I know. I have warned the other Ysheer colonies, and they are on the alert for any Raven Touch vehicles. The antibodies you have provided are why the Wedderal haven’t been affected. Even though there was a Raven Touch landing, the people nearest the spaceport all have up-to-date immune systems or have taken the spring pox inoculation. Isn’t it amazing to be saved by a disease?”

  Yohwen shook her head. “You have no idea.”

  “Well, I will leave you to your deliberations. I will talk with you soon, Yohwen Dahl.”

  “Good day to you, Relay.”

  Yohwen disconnected the com and sat back. There was no decision, she was joining the Citadel. She couldn’t make Niisa responsible for her life anymore. When Niisa moved on, Yoh would have a plan in place. A new life to lead.

  Yoh sipped at the water pack and got up to leave.

  Orkill was standing in the doorway. “You are still undecided?”

  “Well—” She didn’t have a chance to say anything else. He wrapped his arms around her and pressed her to the wall, his body hot against hers. His kiss was very convincing.

  She grabbed hold of him, dropping her water to the deck. She returned his kiss, slide for slide, as she learned how to interact with a male on this level.

  She broke the kiss and leaned back. “There is an Alliance vessel en route. We have to go into quarantine for a week.”

  He grinned and nibbled at her neck. “An entire week? That might be time to convince you I mean business.”

  She chuckled. “I was hoping it was personal not business.”

  He sighed and kissed her again before he lifted his head. “You know what I meant.”

  She sighed and nipped his lips. “I know. I have to check on Niisa.”

  “She is doing well. Debarren accelerated her pox, and now she is recovering.”

  “Accelerating?”

  “That is how he heals. He makes your own body move faster. It is why he didn’t try to help when she was showing the plague. It wouldn’t hav
e ended well.” He slowly let her stand on her feet once again.

  She smiled and traced his jawline with her fingers. “It seems, you have a week to entice me into joining the Citadel.”

  He nipped her fingers with his teeth. “So, it is all up to me?”

  “Indeed. I hope you are very convincing.”

  The challenge rose in his eyes, and he gave her a slow smile full of promise. “A week?”

  “A week. What can you do in a week?” She crossed her arms and stood by her challenge. She knew he would do her proud.

  One week later, she was pronounced virus free and limp as a rag. A week in close quarters with a bored Orkill brought out all his creative impulses, and on two occasions, Niisa had been treated to a view that Yohwen felt was true revenge, rather than an embarrassment.

  Their trip back to Wedderal was surprisingly quick. The medical transport had taken them into their own system, and a simple shuttle trip brought them back home.

  Yohwen directed Orkill to the site that the port authority dispatched them to. It was high in the mountains but an open plateau with a large compound built on top of it.

  It looked fine, but the proximity to her father irritated her.

  During the confinement, she had signed up with the Citadel, and the bonus she received for being the only Haunt on their books was more than enough to buy another facility. Somewhere more hospitable.

  Niisa had told her that she wouldn’t have to work for four lifetimes with what she had saved, and Orkill made a joke about marrying her for her money. She knew from what Debarren had said that Orkill’s family was well off in their own right. His shuttle wasn’t just assigned to him, it was his outright.

  Jamark Orkill was the third child in his family, enjoyed writing poetry when not using his skills as a Scorcher and was an amazing dancer. They had spent several hours with him teaching her how to move with him, trusting him not to lead her into a wall.

  It came down to trust with him. The sex was fun, but it was the slow motion of body against body in dancing that increased their intimacy.

  She wished that there were more frequent public events where they could dance together, but even if there were, she wouldn’t be invited. Not in this county.