Halo by Viola Grace Read Free Book Online

ground.”
    “If the Sector Guard wishes to count me amongst its number, Avina will be my partner.”
    General Brodin sighed and inclined his head. “Relay will do her best.”
    “Her best is better than most people’s, I imagine.”
    “You have no idea.”
    With that, the base commander produced a small credit chip and showed Utolian how to use it. “Would you like to visit with Avina? She will be in quarantine for two days. She isn’t the most patient patient.”
    “You have known her long?” Utolian stifled the hostility that rose in him at the thought of another male being close to his Avina.
    “Two years. She has always been an asset to this base.”
    Utolian got to his feet. “Then, I hope that Relay’s negotiations are successful. I am sure that the Citadel would jump at the chance to have an aura in a living body on their roster.”
    Brodin frowned. “I will show you to medical.”
    “No need. I can find Avina with my eyes closed and my body in pieces.” He smiled tightly and left the office.

Chapter Seven
     
     
    Avina desperately wanted a rubber ball to bounce. She hated being confined.
    She had been stuck in the quarantine area for half an hour, and she was already fidgety.
    Her agitation eased suddenly.
    “What the hell?” Avina looked up and Utolian was standing on the other side of the plexi.
    “You seem a little frustrated, Avina.”
    She made a face. “Just a little. I am going to go bonkers before I get out of here.”
    “Bonkers is bad?”
    “Very bad. How was your meeting with Brodin?”
    “Educational. Would you like company?”
    “You can’t come in here. Quarantine, remember?”
    He pulled over a chair and his body glowed brightly. As she watched, his aura stood and walked through the plexi.
    Utolian grinned. See, no problem.
    Sneaky, but what are we going to talk about for the next two days?
    Tell me about yourself. How did you come to join the Citadel?
    Avina blinked. It is a long story.
    We have time.
    He had a point, so she began at the beginning. She spoke out loud, because it was a story she often told herself in the dark of space.
    “When I was a child, I saw my first ghost. Now, you have to know that my people do not have auras, or at least, I have never met one. A ghost is as close as I could get, and I saw my first one when I was five.
    “I was walking through an area that had been used by early settlers, and I saw a woman flitting through the trees. She came over and spoke to me; she was very kind. Her name was Hannah, and she got very sick one day. She played with me and helped me get back home in time for dinner.” Avina smiled at the memory.
    “I played with her for days before my mother asked me who I was talking to. When I explained about Hannah, my mother told me not to talk to her anymore, so I didn’t.” She sighed. “My next ghost was thirteen years later. I was sitting out on my porch late at night, and I saw a nightlife I had never imagined. Down the street, I saw ghosts flicking from street to street, walking, talking and interacting as if they were still alive.”
    Utolian grinned. Your talent kicked in.
    “It did indeed. When the Alliance asked for volunteers, I signed up and they tested me with aural objects.” Avina snorted. “My acceptance came in ten days. I am guessing that it took that long to convince the Citadel that the tiny backwater of earth could produce an Aura Speaker.”
    He laughed. Probably accurate .
    “From what I learned after basic training, it was definitely accurate. To say that they were shocked when I was good at it was an understatement. When it became apparent that I could also manipulate the auras, they were flabbergasted. Sorry, Terran word. It means really, really shocked.”
    I see. So, have you taken lovers since you have joined the Citadel?
    She blushed. “Uh, no. There have been those who were interested but none that I have taken up on their offers.”
    Good. I do not know how I would have reacted if you had