Tani's Destiny (Hearts of ICARUS Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

truth is, my people are not skilled in healing.  She may very well die no matter what we do.  Aside from the fact that she is one of our few, precious females, she is also family to me, and I care for her a great deal.”
    “Maybe I can help,” Tani said.  “I have some medical knowledge.  Not enough to handle anything really complicated, but I can at least evaluate her injury and treat it if it’s not too serious.”
    Steel stared at her in surprise, then smiled for the first time, nearly taking her breath away.  “That would be a great relief to us all, Tani.” 
    Tani placed the bacon back on her plate and stood up, but Steel shook his head.  “No, please, you need to finish eating first.  It has been four days since your body has taken nourishment.”  Tani nodded and sat back down, but only because standing had made her a bit dizzy.  She picked up her fork and began eating again, hoping that Astra wasn’t too badly injured, and reminding herself that a few minutes wouldn’t matter since she was in a hibernation tank. 
    Steel watched her as she finished her breakfast, noting the expression of worry and sadness on her face that seemed to grow by the minute.  “I promise you, Tani, we mean you no harm, and we will see you back to your own people as soon as we can.”
    “I appreciate that, Steel, but it’s not what I’m worried about.”
    “What do you worry about?”
    “My family,” Tani replied.  “If it’s been four days since my disappearance, that means my sisters and parents and my younger brothers have been suffering for all that time, thinking I’ve been abducted.”
    “I’m truly sorry for that,” Steel said.  “If there was any way that you could send them a message without risking all of our lives, we would allow it.”
    “I understand,” Tani said.  “And you don’t have to worry about me trying to sneak a message, either.  I’d never do anything to endanger the lives of others unnecessarily.”  She put her fork down and finished her coffee, then pushed the tray table back.  “If you can show me where my shoes are, and the nearest bathroom so I can clean up a bit, I’ll be ready to see Astra.”
    “Your shoes are beneath the bed, and the lavatory is across the hall.  The door sensor is here.”  He waved his hand over a small indentation in the metal wall that she hadn’t noticed before.  “I’ll be back in just a minute.”
    “Thanks,” she said, watching as Steel picked up her tray and left the room.  She leaned down, moving slowly so as not to get dizzy again, and retrieved her sneakers.  It took a little longer than she expected to put them on, but the more she moved, the easier it became.  When she finally got her shoes on and her laces tied, she stood up and took a few short, experimental steps.  She stopped in the spot where Steel had been standing and inhaled deeply, unable to help herself.  She shivered, wondering if his scent was natural, or the result of cologne.  She smiled to herself, already knowing the answer.
    Ignoring the lingering arousal, she evaluated her body and, feeling no dizziness or weakness, she waved her hand over the sensor and stepped into a short corridor that looked much like the room she’d just left with bare metal walls and recessed lights in the ceiling.  Now that she knew what to look for, she easily spotted the sensor for the door to the bathroom directly across the hall and waved her hand over it.  The door opened and she started to enter just as Steel appeared at the end of the hall with a small pile of clothing in his hands.  “I got these from Astra’s room,” he said, handing the clothing to her.  “I know she’s much taller than you, but perhaps you can make some of this fit.”
    “Thank you, Steel,” Tani said, smiling with pleasure.  “Is it possible to take a quick shower?”
    “Yes, of course,” Steel said.  “You’ll find all that you need in there.”
    “Thanks, I won’t be long,”