Page 34 of From the Edge

“Yes. The updated ancient blueprints at city hall, and I have a copy in the house.” She smiled. “That is why I took civics and urban planning as a side to my paralegal courses.”

She gestured for Mell’s mate to explore with her. He scampered over to have a look around.

“Will you take up a position at the daycare?”

“Oh, god no. I can’t take the contact.”

Keres frowned. “What?”

“I sealed my skin to stop the shadow mages from attacking me, but it had a painful side effect. Touch hurts, a lot.”

Keres made a soft sound. “How will you fix it?”

“A little of this, a little of that. Right now, it’s like raw meat under metal. When I am struck or my construct is struck, it reverberates like hard sound waves, and it hurts. I get bruising that covers most of me, though the healer was able to identify what I am.”

“What is that?”

“Something called an opal omega. My kind power-boost the next generation.”

“Oh. That must make you popular.”

“Ask your mates. From what I know, we were handed out like candy to visiting dignitaries.”

“Ouch.”

“Yeah. Oh, hey, there’s my first official lodger.”

A dark green SUV drove up with another truck behind it.

Keres grinned. “You are going to have a houseful of orcs?”

“And whatever the healer is.”

“Orc shaman. Darker colour and very attuned to nature.”

“Oh, that explains it.” Rowan nodded.

Mell came out with a huge grin. “Rowan, it’s perfect! Will it pass inspection?”

“If it doesn’t when they walk in, it will when they walk out.” Rowan smiled. “You are going to be on the hook for decorating and populating it. I draw the line at crafting children.”

Mell chuckled. “I will handle the kids. I will also handle staffing.”

“Good. I am just the building and land and infrastructure and your landlord. Rent will depend on how many tiny clients you have.”

Mellwyn grinned. “I think we can put forty little ones in there comfortably with about ten staff members for ratio counts, and two extra for breaks and floating. Then I need a cook and administrative assistant.”

“Make a list, and first, get the authorization for the daycare here.”

One of the orcs grinned. “I can help there. I am a city inspector.”

Rowan chuckled. “Of course you are.”

The doctor grinned. “Soryet is an electrician.”

“Of course he is.” Rowan smiled.

She held up her hand and nodded to the doctor and the other orc. “Choose a room from the glowing doorways. They are available.”