Eland and Jeanne (Tales of the Shareem) by Allyson James Read Free Book Online

skills with electronics to figure a way to get food without going out into the markets. Doesn’t matter how much we cover up, we stand out.”
    “Cause we’re giants compared to most Bor Nargan guys,” Eland said. “I was going to pretend to be an off-worlder, but I don’t know enough to pretend. My luck, I’d run into another off-worlder who expected me to speak his language. I’d imitate him and end up saying something horrible about his grandmother. Then I’d be arrested by our patrollers and his.”
    Rees laughed. “Yeah, that would suck.”
    “Man, I could go for an ale. A nice, cold, full-bodied one.”
    “Me too.” Rees sank down on the stair next to Eland, looking thoughtful in the quiet light. “I did meet a lady who might help us. I think I can trust her, and she owns a bar.”
    “Perfect. I met a lady too.”
    Rees’s smile vanished. “You did? Who?”
    “Don’t worry, I didn’t tell her what I was. She was sweet, and wouldn’t run straight to the patrollers.”
    “How do you know?”
    “I just ... know. I’m level three. I can read women.”
    “So can I. Tell me about her.”
    Eland didn’t want to, preferring to keep Jeanne to himself, but for some reason, he started talking. “Dark brown curly hair, streaked by the sun, brown eyes with little flecks of lighter brown. Great body.”
    Eland couldn’t think of flowery adjectives to describe Jeanne. He knew she had sensual curves, breasts he wanted to hold in his hands, nipples that drew to tight little points. Strong legs and arms—she was a worker. “ Cutest smile you ever saw. Fine ass.”
    “Don’t go all poetic on me,” Rees drawled.
    “I don’t know what it is about her.” Eland hung his big hands over his knees. “I’ve had plenty of women. Every which way. But this woman ... She was different. I can’t explain it.”
    “You mean she was normal.”
    Eland thought about it. “Maybe. At DNAmo, I only knew creepy scientist types and the guinea pigs. The scientists wanted me under a microscope, and the guinea pigs needed the paycheck.”
    “This woman didn’t want anything from you,” Rees said.
    “That might be it. She was ... nice. But sassy. Kind. But ...”
    “Sassy?”
    “A smart-ass. I bet if I became her Dom, she’d disobey just a little bit, to see what I’d do.” Eland’s heartbeat sped as he imagined it—she’d give him a sly smile and refuse to do what he said, even as he slapped the whip across his palm in warning.
    “A challenge,” Rees said.
    “Yep. And I like a challenge.”
    “I’d drink to that,” Rees said. “Except we don’t have anything to drink. Come on, I’ll take you to the lady I met, and see if she can fix us up.”
    Eland got to his feet, then hesitated. “You sure about this, Rees? Why do you think she won’t go to the patrollers?”
    “Because she likes what I showed her about Shareem.” Rees gave Eland a thoughtful look in the dim light. “She might like two even better.”
    ***
    Judith’s bar stayed open until the wee hours, because those were the coolest of the twenty-two in Bor Narga’s day. Jeanne went again two nights after her encounter with Eland when it was in full swing—the doors wide open, patrons, both Bor Nargan and off-worlders, spilling into the street.
    Jeanne had continued her search for Eland during her off hours, though she didn’t dare stay away from work for long. She’d never found trace of him, or any other Shareem. News reports kept talking about how dangerous they were, stirring up worry, but not one sighting had been made of them. Maybe they had all escaped.
    Jeanne hoped so. At the same time, the thought of never seeing Eland again left a hollow in her stomach.
    Judith shot Jeanne a look when Jeanne scooted in. Judith nodded to the male bartender who took over from her, and came around to meet Jeanne on the floor.
    “You all right?” Judith asked over the noise.
    “I think so.” Jeanne shifted her weight from foot to foot. “Not