Hunting a Soul Read Online Free PDF Page B

“Fine, but only because you look a little queasy.”
    He sighed and ate his meal with grace and economic movements. “That is only because of your bizarre enthusiasm for those noodles.”
    Lee couldn’t explain that her mother had made something similar and she hadn’t even been able to look at them for the first two weeks at the Citadel. Now that she could eat them, she felt like she was getting another part of herself back.
    Krix hopped over and up onto the table using his booster steps. Lee held out a palm full of seeds and nuts, watching as he nipped at her palm voraciously. “Ouch.”
    N’ran looked at him. “Is he all right?”
    “I don’t know; he seems to be getting more aggressive.” She checked the nip in her hand, and when she didn’t see blood, she refilled her hand with more Yaluthu food and put it back under Krix’s beak.
    “That is usually a sign of the transformation. It means you must be close to being healed.”
    She got pecked again. “How delightful.”
    Lee finished her food and tucked Krix into his little bed. He nuzzled her hand and the red marks disappeared. “It’s okay, little dude. You are just facing something you don’t control. I am with you.”
    His huge eyes closed and he rumbled a little as he fell asleep.
    Lee beckoned N’ran into the entertainment area where the video would muffle their voices.
    “He snores?”
    The amazement in his voice made her giggle. “He snores. He also gets wicked bed head.”
    They sat on the couch and she gave him a frank look. “So, you mentioned assignments?”
    He nodded. “If you are up for it, we have an appointment with a finder who specialises in the spectral. From there, we have authorization to pursue any lead we receive.”
    “You would leave Balen?”
    “The others can watch over the children until my replacement arrives. If you will have me, I have been assigned as your partner.”
    She looked into his earnest purple eyes and saw something else in his gaze. To her surprise, he leaned in and he kissed her.
    Her eyes went wide as she felt the heat of his breath a moment before his lips grazed hers. She let her eyes close, and she leaned forward, smelling the scent of N’ran and the leather that he always wore.
    When he leaned back, he had a slight smile and a lot of relief in his gaze. “Thank Repsak. That could have ended badly.”
    She smiled and sat straight again. “If I was not interested?”
    “Precisely. I am a little dependant on pheromone cues and your species doesn’t really give them off. I have had to pay very close attention to your body language, and I am still confused most of the time.”
    She covered her mouth and laughed.
    “That is more familial than species related. My father used to watch my mother like a raptor, trying to figure out her mood. Unless she was bawling, he didn’t know what was coming his way.”
    It ached to talk about them, but it felt good to share that insight into her family. She missed them every day, but her life went on, just as her mother wanted.
    N’ran rubbed his palms down his trousers. “Well, tomorrow, you need to see the outfitter. She will foresee what you need to have with you and provide what she can with a list for what she can’t.”
    “That is a weird talent.”
    “It is a version of the seer energy.”
    She smiled. “It is still weird.”
    Lee got up and took his hand. “Thank you, N’ran. I am not sure I could have made it this far without you.”
    He lifted her hand to his lips. “You could have, it just might have taken you a little longer.”
    She smiled at the warmth that the kiss spread through her. “Good night.”
    He sighed, sent a long look at the bed and made his way out of her quarters.
    After it closed, she leaned on the door and tried to get her heartbeat under control. Krix’s snores increased in volume, and she smiled at the reminder that she was not sleeping alone.
    The next day she would tear energy apart, and if she were good enough, she