Adrift (The Sirilians Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

eyes—damn! It was off-limits. All of it! 
    He sat back down, hoping that she didn’t notice the slight bead of perspiration on his brow.
    The server hung her coat and she took her seat in the booth across from him. Karo watched her scan the restaurant, then look at the table, which he knew was impeccably set.
    Their table was one of a few that were reserved for pairs that hadn’t yet bonded. They were inset into the back wall of the restaurant, which allowed for maximum intimacy and privacy. The walls were a soft beige fabric, the ceiling was low, the lighting was soft, and there were scented flower petals spread on the table. Soft music that had been on the Assembly’s suggested list played through hidden speakers.
    “Wow, this restaurant is amazing,” Aevum said softly, more to herself than to him. “What made you choose it?”
    The random question took Karo by surprise.
    “My family lives close-by, so I’ve been here before and am familiar with their quality of food and atmosphere.”
    She didn’t get a chance to respond because a server approached the table and set drinks down in front of them.
    “Welcome. We’re honored that you chose us as the location for your Meeting. Our chefs have prepared a selection of gourmet foods for you both, so I will hasten to bring out the first course.”
    He turned to leave their table but Aevum stopped him with a question. “We don’t get menus?” 
    “No madam. The food has already been selected.” He smiled politely and walked away.
    Aevum’s brows knit together, and Karo didn’t understand why she would be displeased. Each time he had eaten here the food had been remarkable. Perhaps she’s never dined like this before?
    The waiter quickly returned carrying two plates. He made a show of placing them on the table, then explained their contents in a singsong voice.
    “This is five-year-old densuke that was harvested this morning and transported to this sector especially for our restaurant. It grows on a single cliff high above the Eastern Ocean, where the light breezes have suffused its petals with palatable beauty.”
    Karo looked to his companion, whose eyes were wide in disbelief as she watched their server. She must be impressed by the waiter’s poetic explanation, Karo thought. Although even he had to admit that it was a bit overdone.
    The server turned to leave and pulled a decorative rope; sheer fabric slid between their table and the rest of the restaurant, providing them with a sense of privacy. Karo took a bite of food that had been meticulously arranged on his plate, and savored the flavor. As he chewed he looked at Aevum, and saw a peculiar expression on her face. She swallowed her bite and immediately reached for the nearest water glass.
    “That’s a… unique flavor,” she observed.
    “Yes, there’s nothing like it on Siril. I’ve heard that it’s the combination of soil and salt air of the ocean that really punctuates the flavor.”
    “You can sure taste the salt,” Aevum agreed before she took another large drink of water.
    Karo was perplexed by her strange reaction to the delicacy, but concluded that she must be unused to such gourmet food. He ate the final bite on his plate, then reached for the top question card on the pile.
    “What is your profession?” he read.
    Aevum took a moment to swallow before answering. “I work for the Department of Anthropology; my focus is on extraterrestrial cultures. What about you? Where do you work?”
    “I have been employed at the Department of Space for the past eight years.” He picked up the next card, but Aevum interrupted him before he could read it.
    “What do you do there?”
    Karo glanced at the card in his hand but set it down. He was confused by her line of questioning; hadn’t she read the Assembly’s Pairing Handbook, which outlined the best and most efficient way to form a Pair Bond?
    “We’re not supposed to elaborate on our careers until the Second Meeting,” he reminded