Untrained Fascination Read online

  Chapter Eight

  She sat with her arms limp in her lap, letting the new skin seal as Sorrok was treated and his own cuts sealed.

  There was barely a need to treat him; his wounds were already closing.

  When they were done, she looked down and sighed. “This was one of my favourite shirts.”

  He chuckled, “It looked both comfortable and flattering.”

  She wrinkled her nose. “Well, it was. So, now I need to get a new shirt and then apply for a new place to live. It isn’t what I thought today would be like.”

  “I would also like to confess to some disappointment, but you are not returning to the apartment.”

  “I know. The door is broken.”

  He snorted. “The only secure area for you is the Breeders’ lodgings. That way, the only escort you will need will be to and from your work.”

  “And no friends, no casual days at the market?”

  “The other Breeders will befriend you, just as they did at the mixer. As for the casual days, they will be a little more structured, but I am sure something can be managed.”

  Lianne wanted to put her fist through the wall, but her arms weren’t up to it. Her head was nearly fine now that the headgear had done its work.

  “If you would like to work off some of the aggression I can see on your features, we can head to the exercise facility. Combat is out of the question, but we can work on your form.”

  She wrinkled her nose again. “Can we get me something to wear on the way there?”

  He chuckled. “Everything you want to do revolves around shopping.”

  “It is one of the only amusements I have. Well, that and my vid watching.”

  The medic finished up, collecting the last of his equipment and removing the gear on her head and running a second set of scans.

  Her concussion would need monitoring, but she was free to leave as long as she kept someone with her for the next twelve hours.

  “I will do it.”

  She gave Sorrok a dark look. “At this point, it will make it the longest first date in history.”

  “Perhaps we can get through all of the awkward phases of it in one day.”

  She carefully got to her feet. “Perhaps. Are you willing to try?”

  “I am. Shall we leave the medic to his documentation of our ills?”

  The medic looked up and smiled. “Please. There are a lot of blood samples to catalogue and process. I will contact you if anything comes up.”

  Sorrok got to his feet as if he hadn’t just gotten the equivalent of nineteen stitches.

  He helped her off the table, and they walked out of the med centre with her shirt in tatters and blood spattering his wrap tunic that outlined the narrow waist under his wide chest. He looked splendid, and she hadn’t even had a chance to mention it.

  They got on his vehicle, and she wanted to sit behind him, but he moved her in front of him again.

  They left her area of town and moved to the shopping sector favoured by Breeders, and as a result, the Rrassic.

  He parked in a nearby lot and took her by the hand. “This way to a shop that might have designs you would like. You tend to err on the practical, so I was hoping this would suit you.”

  She was curious and definitely eager to get out of her shredded and grimy shirt. She had hit the floor a few times during the altercation. Her back and hips were starting to make her adventures known.

  The Nool who ran the shop was very attentive. She explained her needs; he nodded and returned a few minutes later with an armload of shirts, tunics and tights to replace what she was wearing.

  Apparently, her shoes were fine.

  Sorrok was supervising, and he mentioned, “She also needs appropriate exercise gear.”

  “Like, our kind of appropriate?”

  “Correct. If she is going to learn Rrassic combat moves, she should be dressed appropriately.”

  The Nool gave her a surprised look. “Very well. I will be right back. A few of the Breeders wanted to try, but they couldn’t get an instructor, so I have the clothing in stock.”

  Lianne picked through the offerings and found a few she would like to try on. “Can I try these?”

  “Certainly. The change area is just over there.”

  She took the pile of clothing over to the change room, and she winced when she saw the dark colouration of her contact with the floor. By the end of the day, she was going to look like a peacock had been mashed into her.

  Lianne was in love with the first shirt she put on. It wrapped her torso with a striking blue fabric that was gorgeously soft and had open sleeves that hung from the shoulder with an open lower seam.

  She was taking the shirt. The others were pretty and she enjoyed them as well, but the one she had on was the one she wanted to take home.

  The tights were nice, snug and a heavier fabric than the ones she had on.

  She ran through the selections and wore the new tunic and tights with her old clothing rolled into a bundle.

  The shop keep smiled and took her selections from her and looked at what she was wearing. “Good choice. It is very flattering and will not affect the wound treatments on your arms.”

  Lianne looked over at where Sorrok was leaning against the counter, and she grimaced. “Squealer.”

  Sorrok laughed, and the expression transformed his predatory features into something that she found hypnotic.

  She shook her head and blinked, turning back to the Nool. “Right. Well, this will do for today, please.”

  He grinned. “Yes, ma’am.”

  He packaged her shredded clothing into a bundle and handed them to Sorrok.

  “Wait, why are you taking the shreddies?” She frowned.

  “They are proof of the assault and injury to you. That will increase their sentencing.”

  “Ah. I see.”

  “Your medical records are already being sent to the judiciary.”

  “Did you do that while I was changing?”

  “No, as a Breeder, everything you do is sent back to the overlord and run through his office the moment that it happens. The information is key to your health and wellbeing.”

  She wrinkled her nose. “That sounds a little stalkery.”

  He shrugged. “I am a Hunter. Stalking is what I do.”

  She snorted. “That isn’t creepy at all.”

  The Nool said, “Where can I send the rest of the clothing?”

  Lianne paused. “That is a good question. Currently, my apartment is missing a door.”

  Sorrok shook his head. “Send them to the Breeder administration office with the name Lianne Whelling.”

  She extended her wrist over the pay plate.

  The Nool put his hand under hers and kept her from swiping. “Clothing is free for Breeders.”

  Lianne blinked. “What?”

  “All of your clothing is covered by the Rrassic government, as is your room and board.”

  Lianne nodded slowly. “Right. So, I will be a kept woman.”

  Sorrok gave her a cautious look. “You will still have your work.”

  She wrinkled her nose. “I suppose. I guess I am going to have to take up an expensive hobby.”

  Sorrok looked relieved, and the Nool handed him a separate parcel. “Here you are. It is adjustable, so it should fit.”

  Sorrok nodded and took the parcel.

  “What is that?”

  “I will show you at the gym. If you are going to learn to fight like a Rrassic, you should dress like one.”

  Sorrok took her hand and led her out of the shop, while Lianne was wondering what the hell was in that parcel.

  Her stomach was rumbling. Sorrok stowed the parcels in his bike before turning to her.

  “So, what would you like to eat?”

  She made a face. “Whatever is close. I missed breakfast.”

  He laughed. “Right. Apologies for the actions this morning.”
<
br />   “I am not blaming. You don’t need to apologise. I am still hungry. At work, I would be on my break already with one meal behind me.”

  “Understood. Come with me.”

  It was nice that he said it like she had a choice. His grip on her hand wasn’t giving her an option.

  The difference in their sizes was definitely sinking in. His hand was twice the size of hers. The soft pads of his fingers each concealed a claw, but there was no sign of them while he held her, unlike the Regiz. They had dug into her from the beginning. Getting away from them would have caused her to bleed, but she had been bleeding from their punctures anyway. They didn’t take any care with her.

  He led her to a shop and pulled the door open. It was a cute diner scaled for the Rrassic. All the booths were wide and the stools were tall.

  He led her to a booth, and he nodded to the server as he took his seat.

  Lianne gave him a bland look. “So, the Regiz who came after me was that guy from the mixer last night, right?”

  “Yes. Apparently, he wanted to circumvent the system.”

  “What?”

  “He was trying to take you and haul you through a portal. There have been six women removed the same way. All were unregistered Breeders. They were exposed and undefended.”

  The server came over, placed water in front of them and slid a pot of tea and two cups onto the table.

  Sorrok spoke quietly in Rrassic, and the server smiled and nodded.

  “What did you just do?”

  He smiled. “I ordered something suitable for brunch. It is a bowl of noodles with meat and vegetables.”

  She was willing to try it. Lianne reached into her neckline and pulled out a small slip of paper. “I have some questions to ask.”

  His face grew wary, but he nodded slowly. “Ask away.”

  Chapter Nine

  Lianne gave him a serious look, and she asked, “Why humans?”

  He smiled. “Because we are similar. It was an obvious choice.”

  “How did you find us?”

  “The Saya. They can see more than minds. They found you.”

  She drummed her fingers. “How long were you watching us?”

  “You were seen eight months ago by your measure, and we were watching and assessing the folk taken, for the last three weeks.”

  She nodded and looked down at her page. “What were you looking for?”

  He smiled slowly. “I can’t tell you that, but each of the humans taken had a specific purpose.”

  “Including the Breeders.”

  “Yes. That feeds into the similarities I mentioned. It is thought that we are compatible species, and so, if children can be brought into the world, we will have what we need to move forward.”

  She frowned. “What comes next?”

  “That isn’t something that I can tell you.”

  “Why not?”

  “It is not something you are classified to know.” He shrugged.

  She drummed her fingers on the table. “Where did the different types of Rrassic come from?”

  “Genetic alteration from a base species.”

  Lianne blinked at that. She hadn’t really expected to get an answer.

  “Which species?”

  “The Rrassic. We needed warriors, so generations ago, we designed them.”

  “Oh. Okay.” She regrouped. “What was the name of your enemy?”

  “I will not tell you that either. If your classification rises, you will have the answers that you seek.”

  “What do I need to increase my classification?”

  “Have a child with a Rrassic. That is the only way to do it. Once your own genetics and emotions are invested in the project, you will have the answers that you seek.”

  Her mouth must have been open, because he reached out and tapped her jaw shut.

  The server returned, and he set down two huge bowls of steaming and fragrant something. Lianne wasn’t sure how to describe it. It was like an entire roast chicken tossed into a bowl of Pho with purple noodles.

  The eating utensils were with it, and Sorrok grinned. “Just use whatever you are comfortable with.”

  She picked a long spork and a set of sticks and went to it. Once she was fairly comfortable with getting the food into her face, she mumbled. “So, what am I eating?”

  He chuckled. “The noodles are a twisted tuber shaved into coils, the meat is from a small domesticated bird and the broth contains a mixture of spices from four different worlds.”

  “Oh. Well, it tastes good.”

  “While I enjoyed my time on your world, the array of food is too much. I prefer the simpler foods of home.”

  She nodded. “The familiar is always better for the soul. The new is nice, but personally, the smell of coffee makes me feel like I am home. Of course, it smells better than it tastes, but the scent makes me feel at home.”

  He nodded in agreement and kept working on his meal.

  She made it through half the bowl and finally had to surrender. “I give up. The Rrassic portion size has defeated me.”

  He looked at her bowl. “May I?”

  She slid it toward him. “Enjoy. I have taken what I can and don’t want it to go to waste. It is too good for that.”

  He dove in and ate like a starving teen.

  She poured some of the tea and was surprised by the fruity scent that filled the air. She poured for Sorrok as well and slid his cup over to him.

  A sip of the tea made her smile. It had all the scents and tastes of summer flowers and fresh fruit. Each sip was different.

  He finished her bowl, and the Nool came to get the dishes.

  She looked at the Nool and cleared her throat. “Excuse me.”

  He blinked and smiled. “Yes?”

  “May I ask you a personal question?”

  “You may. I reserve the right not to answer it.”

  “Of course. Do you know the kind of Rrassic that you will turn into when you are fully mature?”

  He grinned. “Of course.”

  She was surprised. “Oh. Okay. Thank you.”

  “That was your only question?”

  “Yes. Thank you.”

  The Nool looked to Sorrok. “Lucky. She seems to have minimal curiosity.”

  Sorrok gave him an amused look. “You think so? Lianne, what kind of Rrassic will he be?”

  She looked to the Nool, tilted her head and frowned. “Luthin, I think.”

  The Nool looked surprised. “You are correct. How did you know?”

  She shrugged. “Just something in the way you handle yourself and deal with others. The Luthin are fairly easygoing if they are not hunting.”

  The Nool looked at Sorrok. “Fine, I take it back, you are exceptionally lucky.”

  Lianne cleared her throat. “It is our first date. Don’t congratulate him too soon.”

  The Nool made himself scarce.

  Sorrok grimaced. “You could have asked me about being a Nool. I was one once.”

  She snorted. “I didn’t know if the information was classified.”

  He grinned. “Ask away.”

  Other Rrassic were coming in and filling the small diner. She could feel the gazes on her, but she leaned forward and asked, “What did you do as a Nool? How old were you when you started?”

  “I trained as a combat medic and administrator. During my transformation, I entered Hunter training.”

  He leaned back and sipped at his tea. “By the way, nice observation on our server. I can tell by scent, but you had to go by appearance.”

  “Yeah, and mannerisms. All the different types move differently.”

  He smirked. “I am delighted that you notice. Many of the Breeders don’t bother learning that the different races are actually different people.”

  “Are there a finite amount of Rrassic?”

  He blinked. “You mean total population?”

  “No, different rac
es.”

  “There are nine specific races of Rrassic. I believe at least six are represented here.”

  She blinked and thought about the species she knew of. Sthik, obviously, Zjin, Luthin, Regiz, Saya and Dorbin. “Sure. That tallies with my count. What are the other three?”

  He grinned. “You aren’t authorized to know.”

  She sighed. “Right. Well, I am in the mood to punch something.”

  He laughed. “We will be on our way in a moment. Any other questions?”

  “No. You aren’t authorized to hear them.” She snarked.

  He laughed, and they finished their tea in silence.

  They left the table, he paid and they left. They returned to his bike. It wasn’t really a bike, but that was the closest vehicle that she could draw a correlation to.

  He waited until she settled in front of him again before turning it on and pulling down the road toward the Breeder zone.

  “Why are we going here?”

  He murmured in her ear. “This is the gym that you will be using from now on. It is secure, and no one will try and take you out of it.”

  To her shock, he drove them to a checkpoint, and she was forced to extend her identification.

  The Regiz at the gate smiled at her and handed her a small digital display that gave her her room assignment as well as a map.

  “Your clothing and personal effects have already been brought in. Welcome.”

  She was going to comment on that, but Sorrok drove into the area.

  The glowing barrier snapped in behind them.

  “Am I really in a gated compound?”

  “We prefer to think of it as a community.”

  “Why can you come and go?”

  “Because I am with you; also, I am assigned to you. I have a notification go off every time you enter a public area.”

  “What?”

  “The gym, the teashop. Anywhere you go where I can manage to join you, I will.”

  “Doesn’t that mess with your work schedule?”

  “Courting a Breeder takes all precedence.”

  She watched the elaborate buildings passing. Each was a work of art, and the sparse female population with the occasional Rrassic male didn’t seem to do the space justice.