Untrained Fascination Read Online Free PDF Page A

with her shoulders tense.
    The winged Rrassic looked surprised. “You knew her from Earth?”
    Lianne frowned and opened her mouth, but she wasn’t able to speak. A pressure on her mind kept her silent.
    Bella nodded. “We went to school together. We were friends.”
    Iktabi frowned. “You didn’t mention that when we started this.”
    “I answered the questions I was asked.”
    Lianne smiled at the pugnacious tone. She knew that tone, and Bella was about to start cursing.
    The overseer leaned back, and he steepled his fingers together. “Well, in light of this information, you will have to be given Breeder classification.”
    Lianne’s heart sank. Bella looked at her, and she opened her mouth with one hand raised.
    Lianne could nearly see the sparks that were trying to emerge from Bella’s head. Nothing got her friend more irate than seeing another friend in a preventable situation.
    The monitor in the corner was holding Bella immobile.
    Iktabi held up his hand. “However, in light of your mental situation, the glowing reports from your supervisor and the confirmation of this meeting, you will be able to continue your occupation.”
    Lianne was shocked. “I can just go back to work?”
    “You can... with some alterations to your schedule. You will have to attend the mixers that are organized between the humans and Rrassic.”
    She made a face. “Fine.”
    “You will need one escort at all times.”
    She frowned. “Why?”
    “The other Breeders are in special quarters where security can be assured. You are not. If you wish to continue to work and function normally, you will do it under escort.”
    Lianne frowned. “For how long?”
    He shifted his wings. “Until you find a mate. It is a peculiar situation, but we are sure that you can manage it.”
    Lianne had a sudden concern. “What will happen to Isabella?”
    “She is under probation. We will watch her carefully. At present, she is the only one of our administrators that has been found to be circumventing our regulations.”
    Bella was still stuck in her angry pose.
    Iktabi cleared his throat, and Bella settled back into place.
    Bella turned and smiled at Lianne. “Don’t worry. I will be fine. They might audit my assessments, but everything will work out.”
    Lianne still wasn’t sure.
    Iktabi got up, and he had an ident band unit in his hands. He came around the desk and used the cutter on one end to free her wrist. When she had her own pale skin exposed, she wanted to rub it, but he put the unit on, and her new ident band was in place.
    “You are free to return to work, Lianne Whelling.” He smiled tightly. “With your escort.”
    She made a face and got to her feet, realizing that her eyes were only at nipple height. He was just as freakishly tall as the rest of the Rrassic. “Good day to you. Nice to see you, Bella. Keep in touch.”
    “You too, Lianne.”
    “Overseer Iktabi. Did this new band carry over data from my previous one?”
    He nodded. “It did.”
    “Oh, good. Thank you.”
    She left and heard the footsteps of the three men behind her. “I am just going back to work, guys. This isn’t a high-security event. I don’t need all of you.”
    The central Hunter spoke. “Oh, we have nothing else to do. We have been assigned to you for the day.”
    She led them through the building and out into the street. They formed up around her as a shift began to release into the street. She definitely felt guarded on their trip back to the port.
    Mrtok was surprised when she cleared security and returned to her station. To her amusement, the Hunters were stuck on the other side of the barrier.
    “Lianne, I was not expecting you back today.”
    “Oh, I am cleared for duty. I just have to keep an escort with me when I am out and about.”
    “Why?”
    “I am now a registered Breeder with a job. I don’t know if I am the first, but I think I will enjoy the process of dodging the others.”
    “The others?”
    “The Rrassic who take