Page 19 of Temple

“Of course, precious one.”

Zell was stunned as the other ancient Hmrain and his adapted mate left the negotiations and walked into the square. Kethen held Janessa tightly, and they flew up and toward the tower.

Zell cursed and flew after them, beating them to Sage’s room and opening the protective field so he could land.

Zell looked around and couldn’t find his companion. “Sage. Sage, where are you?”

He scanned the interior and didn’t see any sign of her. No heat signature. Nothing. She wasn’t there. His heart started pounding hard. He checked the bathing room and the lav. Nothing.

He called the minister, who had sponsored her arrival. “Where is she?”

“Lord Zell, I don’t understand.”

“My companion. Sage. Where is she?”

“Just a moment.” The minister tapped and said hesitantly, “Her contract expired. She had completed her end of things by waking and entertaining you, so our spaceport customs indicate that she left with the clothing she arrived with. It was a successful venture for us. Did you wish for us to find a different companion for the next few weeks?”

Zell felt his teeth gritting and blood roaring in his ears. “When? Where is she? Find her!”

“My lord, we have no reason to stop her. She is a free agent, and I must say that for this being her first companion assignment, she did very well.”

Zell walked to the edge of the tower and roared.

Kethen and Janessa looked at each other.

Kethen shrugged. “I suppose we should leave now. It seems things have fixed themselves.”

Zell called out. “Wait!”

His brother looked at him with brows raised.

Zell went to the terminal and found a letter from Sage. He read it and ground his teeth. She thanked him, wished him well, and stated that the terms of the contract were complete. She had remained in the tower for one month and serviced him at the minimum of twice per week. She signed off, and that was it. No sweet words, no expression of regret. Just asincerely.

He checked the boarding lists for the station and found that she was due on a transport in four hours. As he watched, the words flickered anddeparted via private courier shipwere displayed.

He stepped backward. “She’s gone. She took a private courier ship, and she’s gone.”

Janessa nodded. “Well, as you said, she’s just a companion. You can order another for a few weeks. After all, the odds of finding a companion with a solid mental frequency match must be easy if you treated her as an appliance.”

Kethen sighed. “You are an idiot, brother. Even Ra has accepted the inevitable of a mate. We have our daughter and are waiting on her next cycle to try again.”

Zell jolted. “Daughter?”

Janessa smiled. “Yes. Daughter. Looks just like him. She’s home with trusted caretakers.”

Kethen grinned. “When I tasted her cycle was in the right spot, I wouldn’t be stopped.”

Janessa snorted. “Don’t sound so proud. I was a mess.”

Zell sat heavily on the floor. “I believe I have made a colossal error.”

“She didn’t change when you bit her?”

“I didn’t.”

“What happened when you offered her nanites?”

Zell shook his head. “I didn’t. I... just took what I needed and left.”

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