The man from the stronghold said, “Where will you go?”
“Wherever I like.”
He looked at his wife, and she shook her head.“I don’t see anything.”
“Oh, that is because I have died a few times.It changes the pathway of my future.”
The woman said, “Baola could see Nelith, and she had died a few times.”
Ival smiled.“She is linked to Baola and the family.She saw Nelith in her own future.”
The woman blinked.“Well, fuck.”
Her husband covered his eyes.
Ival smiled.“Indeed.I am not upset about it.I am toxic from head to toe.I have been in contact with a grand total of two people since I activated.One was my husband, and the other was in a fighting pit.”
Hemma looked shocked.She held up her hand and pointed at her left hand.
“Yes, Hemma.I was married.He died away from home.”
Hemma’s mouth was hanging open.
“Zukker Ilando.Serpent activation.We married the first time I got loose and had a few years together before he died on a mission.I was in the news a lot at that point, and Uradda demanded me back, so I went.There didn’t seem to be a point in fighting.”
Salmet looked sad.“Where were you?”
“Thorassen.He was the Frozen Serpent.The memorial is lovely.Zephyr takes me to visit now and then.”
Salmet said, “Would you go there?”
“No.Now that he is gone, I have no place there.They don’t have citizenship via spouse after the spouse is dead.”
“Oh.Damn.”
“Yeah.So, today, I am here, and since I am watching over Hemma, I figured I would give the biochem department a thrill and offer some toxin samples.”She smirked.“Keeps the little raccoons busy.”
Riko smirked.“Can you control it?”
“It’s a neurological agent.I can alter it to be stronger or weaker, but it always is.Unlike Khytten’s adaptation, mine emerges from all over my skin.”
Hemma made a wavy signal with her hand.
“Yes, Hemma, he had scales all over.Yes, all over.”
Riithan blinked.“You are an omega?”
“Hah.No.Thankfully.When my husband died, I felt grief but not suicidal.My world didn’t end, it just got lonelier.”
Salmet asked, “How did you get out the first time?”
“Oh, I was smuggled out when I activated but before I was recorded.I was sent to Thorassen and entered high school there.That is where I met Zukker.He was there on a recruiting binge, having graduated six months before me, and he was so pretty and shiny.When I started college, he asked me out.We married six months later.”
“So, you could be around other students?”
“Sure.Back then, the effect was restricted to my palms.When Zukker died and I was returned to Uradda, they worked with me todevelopmy activation, and my body bears the scars.”
Hemma gestured.
