To Kiss or To Kill by Jean Lorrah

Author:Jean Lorrah
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: fantasy, science fiction, sime-gen, sime~gen, mutant, symbiosis, romance, adventure
ISBN: 9781434438676
Publisher: Wildside Press
Published: 2011-03-27T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVEN

GRAND OPENING

ONCE AGAIN, BAIRD AXTON CAME TO HIMSELF BURNING WITH SHAME at a public loss of control. The channel who had intercepted his blind rush away from Jonmair now held the Gen woman at arm’s length as she cried, “He’s mine! You had no right!”

People were staring, but several channel/Companion pairs converged to insulate those in Need from the nageric shock of high-field Gen fury.

“It’s all right,” the channel told Jonmair in a soothing voice. “It wasn’t your fault.”

“Of course it wasn’t!” she shouted. “It’s your fault, you lorsh! He needed me, and you took him. Simejacker!”

The channel’s Companion, who looked about Tonyo’s age, burst out laughing at the word Jonmair coined. But then he pulled himself together and said, “Let’s get some privacy.”

Shocked to realize how badly Jonmair had wanted to give him her selyn, Baird let them lead him back into the now empty waiting area.

The channel introduced himself as Vent Gascon, not a Householding name, his young Companion as Mern. Mern told Jonmair, “You and I were in the Pen together, Choice Kills. I saw you sometimes in passing.”

Somewhat calmer now, she nodded. “I suppose your story’s pretty much like mine. You established and your family sold you into the Pens.”

“Yeah. But I was lucky. The Householders bought up as many of us as they could afford, ’cause they knew we’d be easier to train than Pen Gens. I just gave transfer for the first time a couple of days ago.” He smiled. “I don’t blame you for wanting it.”

“But she couldn’t control the Sime in her charge,” protested Vent. “I couldn’t let him leave the dispensary.”

“We’re gonna catch shen from the controller,” said Mern resignedly, “but shidoni, what does the Tecton expect? We’ve got two whole days of experience!”

“You did fine,” said Baird, realizing that while not as satisfying as a Kill, the transfer had been his best one yet.

“Thanks,” said Vent, easily understanding his meaning. “That’s because I’m junct.” He shook his head. “Two months ago I took my Last Kill, shenning the Tecton with every breath—and a few days later I got a notice that my selyn consumption profile indicated that I was a channel. Now here I am working for the shenned Tecton!”

“Crazy world,” said Mern. “If Vent had bought me for his Last Kill, I’d be dead. Instead, two days ago he gave me the best experience of my life. Now we’re partners.” He turned to Baird. “Are you all right now?”

“Fine,” Baird answered. “I’m sorry I caused a scene.”

“My fault, not yours,” said Vent. “An experienced channel should have been able to get you to privacy, at the least.” He looked at Jonmair and shook his head. “I can’t tell if it would have been safe to let you have direct transfer. Mern and me shoulda had months of training for this duty. I don’t know how we’re managing not to have Kills in the streets.”

“You can kill me again any time you’ve a mind to,” Mern said with a suggestive flick of his nager.

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