It went on like that for several minutes, the overseer and her Skrizzit examining all of the art she’d acquired over the years, the understudy taking pictures and notes at a fevered pace until finally they’d documented them all. And, for once, Olivia didn’t mind being grilled about her tattoos.
The Skrizzit turned to Zoldana. “I am concerned that I do not know how the Dotharian runes will integrate, Excellence,” Nijello declared.
“Can you make them work?” she replied.
“I believe I can incorporate the required runes into her existing designs. Olivia, may I ‘touch up’ the area you mentioned to see how our pigment reacts?”
“Knock yourself out.”
He pulled a small device from the pouch on his hip along with a short vial containing a bright but quite similar color to the area he’d noted. Without hesitation he set to work, his hand moving quickly as he applied the strange alien pigment. Just a minute later he stepped back, watching his handiwork with interest. There was an odd little tingle spreading from the area, but no pain to speak of. Olivia was surprised how fast he worked.
“That’s it?”
“For the test, yes. I only had this particular color on my person, and it is a very powerful pigment, but that should also make it perfect for a little test. We will see better how your body reacts after it has set in.”
Zoldana leaned in to examine his work. “Flawless, as always, Skrizzit.”
“Thank you, Excellence.”
“So, it can be done? You can apply the runes?”
“I believe so, but it will require working in a manner never attempted before. I will have to study them this evening at length. The pigmentshouldovertake the existing colors once applied, but I cannot say for certain. I will know better tomorrow.”
Zoldana nodded her understanding and waved her dismissal. “Then you should get to your preparations. As for you, Olivia, it seems yours will be a most interesting and challenging process. You will require additional preparation to purge your body to best accept the pigment. I will have Yanna upload the details into your domicile’s intelligence unit.”
Olivia wasn’t sure how she felt about that. “What exactly do you mean bypurgemy body?”
Zoldana laughed. “Do not fear, it is nothing unpleasant. Simply the means to eliminate all foreign substances from your person that might interfere with the process. We do not know how the pigments will react with your existing markings, and we would take every precaution possible to ensure there are no complications.”
She held up her hand, the door reappearing, somehow knowing what her gesture meant. A familiar face was standing outside.
“Rykker. Please escort our guest to the spa facility. She will have a lengthy session, after which you are to take her to see the city before she returns to her domicile unit.”
“As you wish, Overseer,” the man said, his low voice rumbling Olivia’s belly in a delightful way. “Please, follow me.”
Olivia moved to follow him but first turned to her host. “Thanks, Zoldana. For everything. But there’s one thing I need to talk about.”
“Your friend, I assume?”
“Harper. Yes.”
“Arkness mentioned that you had spoken of another survivor of the Raxxian scourge. It will be addressed, I assure you. But for the moment you must prepare yourself. This must come first. The law is the law. Tomorrow is a big day, but after you have received your runes and are on the path to recovery, then we will discuss your friend in detail.”
Olivia wanted to protest but something in the woman’s eyes told her this was not the time to press the matter. She was being afforded a courtesy as an outsider, but it had been made clear that she was breaking the law by not possessing the runes, even if she’d been taken to this world against her will. She’d just have to play along a little longer.
“Understood. Thank you again for your hospitality,” she said, then followed her escort out of the chamber and onto the lift disc.
Standing so close to him, she couldn’t help but note how good he smelled. They reached the ground level quickly, her moment of distraction ended as they stepped out into the city.
“Come, let us have you seen to,” Rykker said, a warm sparkle in his eyes.
Wow,she thought.These guys really have trained to be attentive companions. I wonder how far that training extends.
It was something she would have to wonder on her own as they arrived at the spa after only a short walk. It was not staffed by people, but rather was fully automated, and after several hours of bodywork, Olivia wondered if she’d ever be satisfied with a real person touching her ever again.
Little did she know, she would find an answer to that sooner than later.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
