Sister Katherine Read Online Free PDF

your part in capturing an enemy general and 120 Mataras.”
    The Imdiko picked up on the excited note in his clan leader’s tone.  “Yes, we’ve been very busy, though I personally can’t take any credit for Hamilton’s capture.  You sound like you have news.  What’s going on?” 
    Simdow’s voice was low, which meant he was still on the bridge of the spyship.  He shouldn’t be making private calls if he was on duty.  Vadef knew it had to be important for his Dramok to break the rules.  Captain Tranis would have Simdow’s head if he found out.
    Despite Simdow’s near whisper, there was no mistaking the delight in his tone.  “We have our pick of Mataras from the colony.  A Matara for our clan, Vadef!  Any one we want except for the one named Cassidy Hamilton.  The captain’s clan has already made claim on her.  But we can choose any of the others because we’re the next ranking clan on the ship.”
    Vadef’s breath froze in his chest.  Captain Tranis’ clan was claiming the one missing girl, an of-age aspirant they’d caught a glimpse of just before taking over the colony.  Cassidy Hamilton had been a pretty, pale thing in the darkness of the convent’s night as she ran screaming from their invasion party.
    Still, there was one female who was even prettier.  Vadef looked into her sky-blue eyes as he tried to speak.
    In a croaking voice, he told his Dramok, “I think I have the perfect one, Simdow.  I’m reading her file right now.”
    He loaded Katherine’s file onto his handheld and transmitted the information to Simdow’s while describing the encounter he and Miv had had with the nun.
    Simdow seemed happy to hear Vadef had already pinpointed a likely prospect.  “Not hysterical like the rest? And beautiful, you say.  Oh, I’ve got your transmission here.  Look, I’m stuck on the bridge until the captain comes back on board, but I’ll put a hold on this Kather-Ine for now.  That will earmark her as ours to the other clans.  I’ll look at her information at my earliest convenience, and we’ll go from there.  That will let the rest go ahead and choose their candidates.”
    The Dramok’s enthusiasm concerned Vadef.  After all, Simdow hadn’t even seen the woman, and none of them had experienced any meaningful interaction with her yet. 
    The Imdiko asked, “What if Kather-Ine isn’t for us?  I mean, I’m quite drawn to her and Miv appeared to be as well, but she wouldn’t even speak to us earlier.”
    Simdow chuckled.  “Don’t worry about it.  There are over a hundred of those women there.  If Kather-Ine is not right for our clan, we’ll find one who is.  There are only seven clans that can claim a Matara on the ship anyway.”
    “All right.  The odds are pretty good then.”
    “I trust your judgment, my Imdiko.  If you think this woman is a strong possibility, that’s good enough for me.”
    Simdow’s confidence in him made Vadef feel good.  They’d been clanmates only three years, but it had been a good match thus far.  With Miv too.  Vadef had been underage when he’d joined Simdow’s clan, which had meant he needed parental permission to do so.  Fortunately, his instincts about his Dramok and Nobek had been proven out before then, and his parents – all seven of them – had been convinced as well.
    A Dramok and Nobek perfect for me in every way.   Vadef’s gaze fell on Katherine’s image again, and he was once more struck by her ethereal beauty.  It was like a blow in the chest, in fact.  He was going to be the mate to such a stunning creature?
    He choked out, “She’s amazing, my Dramok.  She truly is.”
    Simdow chuckled.  “I’ll be there as soon as my duties allow.”  He signed off, leaving Vadef to contemplate his maybe-Matara with wide eyes and a dazed smile.
    * * * *
    The first thing Katherine was aware of was quiet sobbing in her ear.  A familiar voice whispered between the hushed, strangled sounds.
    “Sister.  Sister,