“Oh.” She walked slightly behind him.
He reached back and caught her hand, pulling her next to him. “Cadence, do you know how rare you are?”
“No.”
“Most audio talents send sound through the world to achieve a purpose. You give off waves that are looking for disruptions to harmony.”
“This is my first time feeling the waves go out and not slamming into my clothing or walls or people.”
He chuckled. “How are you enjoying it?”
“It feels like I am wearing new skin.”
“Your harmony is wonderful.”
“Is it?”
He nodded, and she felt a hum coming from him in slow waves. She got closer and leaned toward him. Her hum picked up speed, and then he took her hand, and the thrumming quieted. His harmonic ran over her skin, and he smiled as hers ran over him.
She tried to pull her hand away. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to... uh... hum on you?”
He grinned. “It’s a first for me. I always thought that my match would have the same frequency, but this makes much more sense. You fill in all the silences.”
She swallowed. “Uh, good?”
He stroked her hand then touched her cheek. “We both need to get into better shape before anything else happens.”
“Anything else?” Cadence looked at him.
“I would like to pursue a relationship.”
“Why?”
He looked confused. “You are carrying my child.”
“It’s a contract. It means I get to live free for nine months, and when I go back to work, I can find a way to live in the cage again. That is the life I am planning for.”
Raek was stunned. “You would choose that life?”
“Nature and my activation chose it for me. I just have to find a way to live with it.” She shrugged. “I am not my sister. I can’t have folks falling over themselves to be with me. It is distasteful.”
“Wait. Are you saying that you don’t want to be your sister, so you are rejecting me?”
She wrinkled her nose. “Yes.”
Raek stepped back in surprise, turned, and walked away.
Cadence walked down the new path and slid her hands into her sleeves, trying to keep her head up and her soul quiet. It was better that way. She didn’t want to lose herself. It was so hard to keep her mind together while it was trying to shake her apart.
She walked until the light faded and then turned back to go the way she had come, but the path was gone. Cadence looked around and kept walking along the original path. If she had to, she would fight her way out, but she hoped it didn’t come to that. Her activation makes a mess.
* * * *
Raek growled at hissister. “When the baby is here, I want her out. Find another trainer for her.”
“What the hell happened in the last ten minutes?” Im-bar was shocked at his angry appearance.
“She rejected me.”