Hemma watched as Ivalstood and faced the door.“Come in.”
A woman that Ival had only seen on the news stepped in, followed by an equally familiar male, then a male Sethir with a scorpion tail and a lovely woman holding his hand.
“Hello.Here to visit Hemma?”
The woman smiled.“No, we are here to speak to you, Ival, but does Hemma mind?”
Hemma put her hands under her chin and stared.
“She wants to watch.”Ival kept her hands against her abdomen.“What can I do for you?”
“The Sethir have looked up your files, and there is an issue that needs to be addressed.”The man from the stronghold spoke softly.
“I have nothing to do with the stronghold.My grandparents didn’t want to raise me, so they threw me back to Uradda.”Ival was calm.
“It was your uncle who had you sent away.Your grandparents were mourning their son, your mother took her own life, and everything was going wrong.You were supposed to be safe in his household, but his children didn’t care for you, so he responded to an offer from Uradda and was paid to return you to what he was told were your other grandparents.An older couple met him at the border, and you were given over to them.”
“And my cousins got new dresses.That is what they wanted.”Ival kept her voice calm.
He frowned.“You knew?”
“Yes.I have enhanced hearing and the ability to keep myself quiet.”
“But you were five.”
“Yes.I was five, and Uncle Mekalion was always trying to keep his family happy, and I did not make them happy.I went to Uradda and into the creche.”
The scorpion man said, “They didn’t bring you to your family?”
“They were my family.They didn’t want me either.Mom had disgraced her family when she actually fell in love with her alpha.I was an embarrassing byproduct for all parties.”
He frowned.“That isn’t the case.After their mourning period, your grandparents went to collect you.They were shocked to find that their son had disposed of you.”
“Yeah, well, it was a long time ago.”
He nodded.“They are still alive.They want to welcome you home again.”
“Home is a fluid concept.Besides, they were huggers.I can’t be hugged, I can’t be touched, and I can’t touch others.”
“They just want to keep you safe and know you are well.”
“I am well.I can speak with them on the com until my visa runs out.”
Salmet said, “What is the issue with your visa?”
“I am self-employed.I am not necessary to Aksalla.I am out of here in four weeks and already have a few places in mind.”
Salmet winced.“Your occupation?”
“Author.I publish under the name I.R.Righter.”
Riko grinned.“I love your stuff.Just the right touch of humour and sensuality.”
Ival nodded.“Thank you.”
Salmet said, “Have you registered your activation?”
“Yes, I am in the dangerous and unnecessary category.My books are goofy, so I don’t qualify for the artist visa.You can’t make an exception for me, Prefect.Even Caska can’t find an option.I have enjoyed your country.It has been a good place to recover.”
