Halo by Viola Grace Read Free Book Online Page A

said yes. I have a rather possessive streak where you are concerned.
    Avina cleared her throat. “You do?”
    I do. I would not have regained my living form for anyone else. I have been waiting for a woman with your energy pattern for my entire life. I looked forward to each and every summoning. Your mind called to mine in the most amazing ways.
    She laughed. “A man after my mind. That is a switch.”
    I strive for originality.
    Avina settled back and started to fill him in on the goings on of the Alliance. It was a pleasant way to pass the time, and if she chose, she didn’t even have to open her mouth.
     
    Reset came in every four hours for a breathing sample and another shot. “Fast recovery. We are delighted to hear it.”
    “We?”
    “The base at large. General Brodin is fussing and ordering you to be kept comfortable at all costs.” Reset winked.
    Utolian was laughing silently.
    What did you do?
    They want me to join the Sector Guard. I said I would not do it without you, so they are attempting to wheedle you from the Citadel. I am guessing that the negotiation is heated.
    Oh, for the love of…
    “Having a quiet chat?” Reset finished her measurements of Avina’s vitals before she exited and removed her mask before Avina could answer.
    Avina raised her voice. “Can you run some scans on his body when it isn’t occupied?”
    Reset waved a hand scanner. “Already ahead of you. It seems completely inert.”
    I object to her calling it an it . I put a lot of detail into every inch of my body. It is definitely male.
    She wasn’t insulting you, but it is hard to speak of a body without a soul or aura in it as him or her.
    Fair enough, as long as you remember I am male. I would have switched genders if I had to, but since I didn’t, I am very pleased. I never got to use the same form twice before.
    Glad I could help you recycle. She snorted and then spent the next half hour explaining recycling. He couldn’t seem to grasp the idea of not making everything out of compostable materials the first time around.
    She had no answer for him, so they lapsed into silence. Avina yawned and rubbed her eyes. She settled on her bunk and smiled. “I think I am more tired than I believed I was.”
    I will watch over you while you rest.
    I knew you would. Good night.
    She felt his hand stroke her hair, but it was merely the energy trace. His body was outside the quarantine and it was better for all concerned. She really wasn’t up to dealing with the physical him at close quarters.
     
    She woke warm, comfortable and held in his arms. Avina grumbled, “How did you get in here?”
    “I begged Reset, and she got tired of hearing me. She had her mate shove me inside, and I will be serving out the rest of your sentence with you.”
    He stroked her shoulder, and she shivered. The thin robe was no barrier to his touch.
    Worried, she glanced toward the plexi, but a thick, dark curtain had been erected.
    “Reset insisted that you be allowed a little privacy. Well, she said something about me being indecorous or something. It was muttered under her breath.”
    “Well, she needn’t have worried. Nothing is going to happen. How are you even fitting on this bed?” She wrinkled her nose.
    “Oh, if you feel around carefully, you are on top of me.” He sounded obnoxiously perky.
    Avina closed her eyes as the solid warmth under her now made sense. She really didn’t wake up easily, darn it.
    “How much longer am I going to be in here?”
    “Eighteen hours. Reset sedated you because you were not tolerating the confinement well. I believe it was also why she was willing to finally let me in. She thought I would distract you.”
    Avina tried to sit up, but he held her fast. “You are certainly doing that. Now, let me up or you are going to have a bit of a fight on your hands.”
    He sat up and released her. “Off you go.”
    She wrinkled her nose, smoothed her medical wrap and made her way to the lav. It was tempting to consider