Page 12 of I Dated the Lost Song

“This procedure is expensive enough. I don’t want to incur any more debt.”

“This would be free of charge, and you could live out in the fresh air without the press of people around.”

Cadence felt tears rush to her eyes. “How did you know?”

“You live in a body that few can touch. Being around those who kiss and cuddle is just one more thing you can’t have.”

Arcady looked pale, and Kritz looked embarrassed, but Cadence could barely see them through her blurred vision.

Dr. Amber smiled. “I will make some arrangements. In the meantime, Toulan. Learn it. It will come in handy.”

“Okay. Thank you. And... thank you.”

Dr. Amber patted her knee again. “It is a long road ahead of you. You should not have to walk it alone.”

“She has me,” Arcady said.

“And you have a consortium to demand your time. She knows there is no room for her in your life.”

Cadence blinked at the bald statement.

Dr. Amber smiled. “Give me your com, child. I need your code. When you get a call, gather enough clothing for two days, and we will do the rest.”

Zera spoke up. “That wasn’t the agreement.”

“No, but she needs more than being shelved like a book.”

“She needs to remain in Aksalla.”

Dr. Amber smiled. “She will. She will be here weekly for the first trimester and then every two weeks for the second and most of the third, returning to weekly for the last three weeks. I just want her comfortable.”

Kritz said, “She is invited to a family barbecue next weekend.”

“And she can go. With an escort.”

Cadence blinked.

Kritz cleared his throat. “I made you a suit that will keep you from having an issue when you touch people.”

“I don’t touch them; they touch me.” She saw his expression. “But that was thoughtful. Thank you.”

Arcady left and came back with a taupe suit. “It will be invisible when it’s on.”

“Thank you very much.” She pulled the suit on and sealed the side closure. She got dressed over it. Her jeans and sweatshirt felt fine over the snug compression of the suit. She was covered except for her head and fingertips. Whatever it took to make Arcady comfortable.

The appointment ended in a whirlwind, and she was escorted out the same way she entered, with Arcady clinging to her the whole way.

Getting back to her apartment, she petted Mortimer and looked at the reams of songs she had written. She was missing something important.

Toulan. She needed to learn it for some reason. She looked up language studies, put in some ear buds, and began as she took the clues and looked up heroes from Toulan who lived in Aksalla.

There were only three. Two were most definitely dead, and the third wasstatus unknown.That would happen to be the man with the crafty sperm.The Lost Songwas his call sign, but that was his Toulan title. She listened to her language lessons until she found the words. Raek Wlar. The Lost Song.

She looked up Raek, and she saw a picture of a serious face with brown hair and dark eyes. He was tall, composed, and to her view, he looked tired. It was good that he was getting some rest in cold sleep.

Her alarm went off, and she quickly changed into a cocktail dress over her bodysuit. She walked down to Klauz’s and saw the hostess. She said, “Cadence, table for one?”

“I am sorry, but they beat you here today. You are at the owner’s table tonight.”

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