“Excellent. Minio has offered to give you a ride over on his levibike, he seems quite taken with you.”
“Minio?” Eleri echoed the name. She didn’t know what to think of the kyrot male. He was arrogant mostly and rude to Pyo. Their few interactions were uncomfortable. Not exactly the type of person Eleri would seek out to spend time with.
“That’s kind of him,” she found herself quietly acquiescing to what they asked of her again. So much for learning to establish boundaries, as ever it was easy to bully her into things she didn’t want to do.
“Good, then it’s settled. We’ll leave at first sun’s rise tomorrow.” Myla made a delighted series of chirping noises and hurried away with Talin. In the emptiness of the alleyway, Eleri allowed herself the luxury of a single groan before returning to the clinic to finish the afternoon. It was good to put herself into work. The last thing she wanted to do was ruminate on the conversation with her mother. She had done the right thing; there wasn’t an objective question about it, but the guilt still gnawed at her bones. Eleri shook the thoughts free as she turned her attentions to their roster of patients. With Aglao’s help, she splinted a broken limb and stitched up a pup who had fallen trying to climb the roof of their sires’ barn.
As she got ready to leave for the day, Eleri felt a deep satisfaction settle around her. This was the life she was making for herself. This was what she had hoped for when she left her old life behind. The guilt was a small price to pay. Aglao stopped her on her way out ofthe clinic. “Are you well, Eleri of Gaia?”
“Yes. Mostly tired, but well enough.”
“You were distressed after the holocall this afternoon.” Aglao hovered around as Eleri leaned herself against a nearby countertop stocked with folded gauze and skin-seal patches. “I do not know much about providing comfort in the way of human social custom, but I am good at listening.”
Eleri frowned at her scuffed boots. “It was just a call with my mother. She wanted me to send her more credits.”
Aglao wavered from side to side. “Unfortunately, you will not earn credits as part of your role until you have passed your certifications.”
“I know. I don’t need the credits for anything really, but any time I’ve ever had any money it’s always gone toward paying for my brother. He’s an iridescence addict.” Eleri blurted out an uncomfortable laugh. “Sorry, this is my trouble. I don’t mean to burden you with it.”
“Iridescence has damaged many family dynamics. I am grateful it has not established an obvious presence here in Laurus, but I would be naïve if I did not suspect it will be here soon enough. As part of your training, you will learn the protocols for managing those dependent on the substance.”
“That may be one thing I’m already an expert on.” Eleri pushed back against the counter, flexing her fingers hard until the joints cracked. “My mother has always poured her money into any possible medical intervention for Rhys, but it’s hard to force someone to get better when they aren’t interested.”
“It sounds as though this troubles you greatly.”
“It does.Stars, I try not to think about it too much.” Eleri sniffed back the unwelcome sting in the corner of her eyes. “Anyhow, that’s why I was upset this afternoon. I won’t let it affect my work, don’t worry. The patients always come first. I know there are many people with greater sorrows than mine.”
“It is no trouble. Although we zoa do not feel as deeply as many other species, we understand the importance of unburdening feelings for those who have greater depth of emotion. If you ever wish to talk, I will be willing to listen.”
“Thanks, Aglao.” Eleri managed a grateful half-smile. She felt a bit better having admitted the truth about Rhys and her mother, but she also knew deep down they would continue to burden her until she was able to find it in herself to cut them off in an undeniable way. Eleri made her way out of the clinic and started on her walk back to Pyo’s dwelling. She hadn’t attempted to ride a levibike since her spill afew days prior, and she didn’t mind the long walk back. It was also a useful way to get to know some of the residents of Laurus a bit better since she could stop and have a conversation more easily on foot.
While walking downtown, her stomach rumbled at the smell of food coming from the lone food establishment in Laurus. One day, when she was making proper credits, she could treat herself to a meal, but for now she’d rely on the kindness she paid for with her labor at Pyo and Myla’s home. Besides, since she’d been strongarmed into the shopping trip the next day, she’d need all her credits for new clothing.
The next morning, Eleri rose early and dressed in the last of her IA uniforms that wasn’t torn or stained. As much as she was grateful for the IA contract to leave Gaia, she’d be glad to never have to wear one of their miserable jumpsuits again. Myla rapped on her door as she finished dressing, and Eleri peeked her head out.
“Minio’s here to give you a ride. Talin and I will ride together and meet you both in Indras. Eleri followed Myla into the early morning heat. Even though it was barely past dawn, both suns were cheerfully beating against the landscape. She shielded her eyes as she walked out to Minio who was waiting by his levibike.
“Good morning,” he said, sounding as though he thought it was anything but.
“Hi Minio.” Eleri hopped on the levibike’s passenger seat.
“How’s work going at the clinic?”
“It’s going well. I hope to earn my preliminary IA license soon. Then I’ll be able to practice without Aglao’s supervision.”
“Well, I’ll tell you we’re grateful to have you here in Laurus. You’re one of the most interesting things that’s arrived through that luxportal. Even my sister has kind things to say about you, and I imagine I don’t have to tell you how uncommon that is.”
Eleri couldn’t fathom how the conversation could get any more uncomfortable. He wasn’t actually interested in her. She didn’t have to be brilliant to figure that much out. What she couldn’t understand was why he was making the effort anyway. Minio revved the engine while Eleri tried to figure out how to respond to his comment. “Ready to go?”
“Yes,” she responded, grateful that the roar of the engine would be loud enough to drown out most conversation.
They sped off after Myla and Talin’s more stylized levibike, and Eleri couldn’t shake the sinking suspicion that this was some sort of setup. Myla seemed far too investedin helping her find a new mate after S’samph’s rejection. And Minio seemed like he couldn’t care less about her.
Then there was the mating contract with S’samph. Neither of them had taken the necessary steps to nullify it, but it would have to be done eventually. As they bumped along the magtrack, with Minio going far above the recommended speed limit, Eleri decided if nothing happened with S’samph by the next turning of the moon, she would go and nullify the contract herself. If she was the one to end the contract, she’d have to find a way to remunerate his family per the cancellation clause, but once she was earning money in the clinic, she hoped it wouldn’t take too long to pay it back.
CHAPTER 9
S’samph
