Page 37 of I Dated the Lost Song

“Okay.”

“Oh, and you have to register as an operative of the BDC.”

“Why?”

Zera sighed. “So we can protect you and have a legal right to defend you if an active tries to make a move on you. I am not saying Raek, but there will be a lot of socializing as he resumes his position, and that will put you in the path of a lot of very scary people. As a BDC contractor, you call us, and they get slapped... or more.”

“Hmm. How many human-class folks do you have in that descriptor?”

“You would be the first. So, we have your history; we are getting your physical and genome. Do you know your country of origin?”

“Maybe Urrada, maybe the capitol, or maybe Sethir. I don’t actually know.”

“Do you know if your parents were actives?”

“Nope. I was with a group of children who escaped from Uradda fifteen years ago.”

Zera blinked. “But you don’t know if you are Uradden?”

“I have no clue. I was kept in a lab, but I don’t have any activation. It made it easier to grab the others and make a run for it.”

“How old are you?”

Leska shrugged. “Best guess is thirty-one.”

Zera’s fingers flew over her keyboard, and she stared. “You brought through twelve Uraddan children. All actives. There was a court hearing to see if you were allowed to stay, given your status. It was eighteen years ago. You were declared to be twelve at the time.”

“If you say so. It was a long time ago.”

“Huh. This is interesting. I am going to look into it, but head down to the bio-lab. Dr. Keery is waiting to work you over on the genetic level.”

“All right. Do you need to know anything else?”

“No. This is... interesting.”

Leska nodded and got up. “Keep me posted. I am curious as to what you find.”

Zera asked. “You honestly don’t know?”

“There are a few lab-grown Uraddans in town, and a few are registered with the BDC. Ask them how much they remember about their early days.”

She left Zera with that and headed back to the lift, nodding to the receptionist who was back at the desk. “Have a nice day.”

She got into the lift and swiped her card before pressing the bio-lab floor. Leska knew a lot more about her kind of person in the BDC, but she had no idea how the knowledge was there. She had been tested for activation a lot, and nothing ever came of it. She was delightfully neutral.

She needed to get something nice for Cadence and the baby. Today was going to be fun.

Leska was lying back and looking at the ceiling as the internal exam was being carried out. The doctor murmured, “This is going to sound weird, but your body is very familiar. It reminds me of someone.”

“That does sound weird, Doc.”

Dr. Kerry finished the exam and lifted his head, his third eye glowing and providing illumination. “I am serious. Aside from you appearing human, there is an energy signature that I have seen before.”

“I shouldn’t have one.”

“I know, but it is there. Now, some blood work and then the intake interview that outlines your protocols.”

“Great. Can’t wait.” She scooted back, closed her thighs, and sat across the exam bed.

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