WalkingHaunt by Viola Grace Read Free Book Online Page A

infection by a pathogen, and from what I can see, she has a very aggressive immune system.”
    Niisa sighed in relief. “Most of us on Wedderal have experienced spring pox. If you survive that, you survive everything.”
    Orkill grinned as Debarren looked at Niisa with the intense interest of a physician. “Can I get a blood sample, Niisa? I would love to compare your immune responses.”
    She started to roll up her sleeve. “You say the sweetest things.”
    Debarren froze as he looked at her skin. “What is that?”
    She looked down, and Orkill came over. A raised bruise-like pattern in a brilliant violet was on her arm. “I haven’t seen that before.”
    Debarren took a blood sample and a skin swab. As the horrified gathering of Healers watched, the mark expanded down her arm until it almost reached her wrist.
    Orkill watched helplessly as Debarren stood in shock, unmoving.
    * * * *
    “Healers, can someone please do something?” Niisa was nervous. If this was the plague, it was going to happen fast.
    One of the Healers reached out and touched her skin. The swollen bruise mark receded, but it didn’t disappear.
    “How could I be infected? I wore my suit and am in a sealed environment.”
    Debarren scowled. “We will figure this out. I am going to check your blood. I have the equipment in the shuttle. I will be right back. Don’t panic.”
    Niisa kept breathing evenly, and the Healer to her left touched her arm anytime the bruise grew bigger than a thumbprint. It seemed forever until Debarren came out of the shuttle with a grim expression.
    “Did you ever have that spring pox?”
    She pursed her lips. “No. My mother didn’t take the chance with any of her kids when it was around. Why?”
    “Because the antibodies that Yohwen has protect her, but you don’t have them.”
    She winced. “Can you use her blood to make a cure or give me the antibodies?”
    He scowled. “It will take quite a bit of blood.”
    “I will ask her then.”
    Niisa headed inside the shuttle before they could stop her. She opened Yohwen’s door and immediately headed for her feet. One thing could get Yohwen up, and it was to have her feet touched.
    She flipped the covers away from the vulnerable area and drew her knuckle sharply up Yohwen’s arch. The Masuo immediately snapped down into a thick sock to cover her foot, but it was too late. Yoh was awake.
    “Niisa? What is it?” Yoh was rubbing her eyes and not too focused.
    “I have come down with the plague, and I need you to agree to provide antibodies for me.” Niisa looked to where Debarren was standing in the doorway.
    “What? Of course. Debarren, take what you need. Niisa, how are you feeling?”
    Niisa looked at the mark on her arm, which was down to her wrist again. “I have felt better.”
    Yoh sat up and tried to get to her feet, but she swayed alarmingly. “Debarren, now. She isn’t getting any better.”
    He was at her side in a moment, and the blood donation was underway. He took nine vials from her, and she was asleep on Niisa’s shoulder before he was done.
    “You weren’t kidding. She really does sleep through anything.”
    “Only when she has been haunting. Any other time, she is the lightest sleeper you could imagine. Creepy, really.”
    “I have what I need. Can you tuck her in?”
    Niisa nodded and helped move Yohwen back under the covers. Orkill had been circumspect and left her in her underwear, but Yoh wouldn’t be impressed when she got up. She loved her black lace but hated to sleep in it. Orkill had gotten an eyeful, and hopefully, it would make him a little more aggressive with his attentions.
    Niisa looked at the spreading plague splotch with worry. How the hell had she gotten infected in the first place?

Chapter Eight
    Yoh’s sleep tank filled up, and she popped out of bed the moment she was rested. Niisa had the plague. “Damn it.”
    She took a quick solar shower and wrinkled her nose at the red marks left by her underclothing. She