Chapter 14 #2
“I will change that, and quickly.” He reached behind him and draped his Kevlar chest guard over his lap.
He must have taken that off when he was chilling on the chaise.
Tumva fished out a touch screen tablet and tapped it a few times before looking at me.
I mean, I think he was looking at me. I couldn’t really tell with those fathomless eyes.
“We only hold pairing parties with each batch of your people that are awoken from cryosleep. I understand that isn’t often.
If you do not accept me as your sponsor, you will be waiting a long time before seeing your sister again. ”
“Fuck.” I closed my eyes and pursed my lips together.
“I can register us right now.” He waved the tablet at me.
“We both get what we want in this arrangement. My Pit boss will get off my tail about not having a human partner, and your scent is pleasing to me. You will get to live an eventful life with me and have a profession by the end of it. You will also be able to see your sister as soon as the probationary period is over.”
“It does make sense.” I had to admit it.
“I’m not sure what good I’ll be as a cop, erm, peacekeeper, but…
yeah I don’t want to go to the Allico complex.
” I was only allowed to come because I was supposed to be taking care of Billie.
Now they’d screwed that up and she was in the care of Prince Izule, what skill did I have to offer?
Knowing my luck I’d be on toilet scrubbing duty.
“Sure.” I shrugged, that last thought sealing the deal for me.
“You consent to have me as your sponsor?” His right hand hovered over the tablet. I nodded again and he tapped a series of commands into the tablet.
“What happens next?” I was uncertain about my future, more so now than ever, since Billie wasn’t in it. For now.
“Once the doctor discharges you, I will take you to my nest. I warn you? I hadn’t planned on having a charge and therefore my nest will need some modifications to accommodate you.
I will make this a priority.” He almost sounded embarrassed.
“I live in the heart of Orna on the public level, with easy access to both the Pit and the nearest multi-level transport station.” I nodded, prompting him to continue.
“It is customary for the Ucfeni to take a few personal days to help their human settle in. I have never taken any.” He chuckled like it just occurred to him. “Do you feel three will be enough?”
“Sure.” I really didn’t care. I would do whatever I had to so I could pass the probationary period and see Billie again. I would be the model housemate until then. My only concern was getting back to my sister. Tumva entered more things into his tablet.
“I have now registered you as my charge and my nest as your new residence for your personal effects to be delivered.”
“Thank you.”
“Ah you’re aw-ah.” A new Ucfeni pulled the wider green curtain aside and had been wearing a creepily large smile on his yellow scally face.
His yellow eyes dropped to see Tumva at my side and he seemed startled.
He slithered immediately to the end of my bed and found it difficult to focus on me.
His eyes kept darting back to Tumva and I swear I saw him gulping nervously.
“I-ah-I am Doctor Chada. I have come to review your recovery and see if you are ready to be discharged. My human colleague Doctor Hatherway has already checked in on you earlier. She never mentioned you had a visitor…?”
“I am Peacekeeper Tumva of the 21st Pit.” Big dark and scary lifted up from the chaise to ‘stand’ and was even bigger and scarier than before.
As we talked I became used to his appearance, but now he was staring down at the doctor like he really didn’t like the guy.
I could make out that he was scowling from the tugging of his glossy black scales around his mouth.
Then again, the doctor was behaving weirdly.
He kept glancing at Tumva like he thought the officer was going to lash out or something.
“I am Hannah Blac’s Sponsor.” Chada’s eyes widened and I saw his gums as he opened his mouth in shock.
“Conduct your examination doctor. I am eager to escort my charge to my nest to finish resting.”
“O-Of course.” I narrowed my eyes on the yellow snake and smelt a rat. What was with that reaction? Did…he know something I didn’t? He swung his weight forward and came to my other side. I was now sat on a bed between two massive snake aliens. Oh goodie.
He checked my blood pressure, listened to my pulse, checked my reflexes and pupil responses.
He asked me a series of questions about my name, age, date of birth and things that were clearly designed to test my memory.
He finally decreed I could be discharged and then warily looked to Tumva.
“I…suggest she takes things easy. I wouldn’t rely on her strength at the moment to hold onto you so… she will need to be carried.”
“No one is carrying me.” I declared and swung my legs out of the bed to stand. My traitorous knees buckled and I fell back on my ass. I pouted and looked up at Tumva who smirked and waited for me to say it. “…fine. On this one occasion, I will allow you to carry me back to your place.”
“Yes Hannah.” I grimaced as I was lifted off the bed in both of his arms like I weighed nothing.
I felt dwarfed in his arms, like I was a child or something.
Most of their bulk was their tail, I guess, but still.
I didn’t like it. I’ve never liked being vulnerable, and I felt pretty damn helpless as Tumva held me to his chest. I folded my arms and pouted some more.
At least I was getting out of hospital and would be able to relax soon.
In the house of a total stranger...who seems to freak everyone out?