One for Kami (2 page)

She flexed her fingers and then bunched them into fists. “Don’t worry, Henson. Nothing’s going to get me earthbound.” She inched toward the glowing cylinder. “I’m late enough to everything already. Can you imagine if I couldn’t sync with space? I’d have to walk everywhere.”

A nervous chuckle followed her words and she caught the slight grin on his lips in her periphery.

“Remember your training. There will be pressure. Try to stay calm and allow
Ober
to do its job. Fighting the procedure will only cause more discomfort and possible harm.”

If that’s meant to put me at ease, it doesn’t.

His soft voice encouraged her. “Whenever you’re ready,
Vella
Keagan. And do enjoy your stay.”

Kami’s thumbs trembled as she stepped onto the stage and then eased into the sparkling pillar. As if she’d entered a vat of honey, a syrupy substance enveloped her. Her perception sharpened and her mind registered every sense in acute detail. The air in her lungs turned sweet, the sugar permeating her being as her body processed the oxygen. Her muscles tingled with energy as they drank in the rich nectar from her veins. The sensation swirled through her chest and down her limbs with each beat of her heart.

Warmth enclosed her arms and face, traveling down her neck until her clothes became soaked in
Ober’s
solution. Every pore welcomed the elixir, opening to allow it in. Unease replaced her wonder as her flesh succumbed, swelling with the intake. Sinew and muscles charged as if addicted to the solution and wanted more. Her thighs, abdomen, and chest gorged with the drug, thickness clamping against her bones. Spine arching by the force, she fell backward, locked under pressure.

God, it’s crushing me!

Her jaw jarred to the side as a sugary rasp bubbled through her airways. Kami clawed at her throat in an attempt to tear the mass away, but her body warped within the silvery aura. Her thick limbs stretched into distorted phantoms. Terror bolted through her core.

“Stay calm,
Vella
Keagan. You must stay calm.”

Henson’s voice came to her in clips of static. How did she even understand it? The urge to scream fought for life but wouldn’t form. The world dimmed to blotches before her and as a heavy hum threatened to overtake her senses, more understanding came to her in the form of hisses and clicks.

“Alert the escorts. Have medical at the ready.”

Consciousness failed.

Chapter 3

Voices surged and Kami clung to the illegible sounds. A low groan rode alongside them. The vocals ebbed from her mind. Mute gray light drifted before her eyes, a flash of white, and then a haze. Darkness covered her vision. A sour pang caused her to lurch and she heaved, the voices clambering from a distance. The back of her skull thudded against a hard surface. Words broke between melodic and static riffs.

“Kami, breathe.”

Another groan punctuated the din, so close she opened her eyes to find the source. A woman’s profile came to view, a bright silver aura hazing the edges. Her long arched nose and narrow chin set a shocking presentation to add to her crinkled eyes and white hair. Her thin lips moved with a soft sound. “Get that cleaned up before she sees it.”

The senior turned to her, and Kami’s focus zeroed in on her pale blue eyes. Eerie yet kind, they held her attention. Folds on the woman’s face deepened with her smile. “Well, you made it. You had us worried there.”

Kami blinked hard and swallowed, acid burning the back of her throat. “What happened?”

“You were a little nervous during the transport, that’s all.” The woman nodded to someone off to the side and Kami rolled her head to see who it was. The silver-blue aura stretched to the edge of a circular platform and she realized she lay on
Ober’s
transport base.

“Let’s get you sitting up. It’ll clear your mind and help you focus.” The escort slid her hand behind Kami’s neck.

As she pushed herself up, heat pulsed in her lower abs, spasms rushing through her core. Her breath hitched and she leaned forward, pressing her arm along her hips until the sensations dulled. A heavy sigh rushed from her lungs, causing the ache in her breasts to intensify. She brushed her palm along her chest to relieve the sensitivity, but it sent chills down her spine. A shutter clenched her stomach and the process started all over again.

God, this is awkward. I need privacy here.

A chuckle rumbled and she glanced at the man beyond the hazy stage. His blond hair curled around his forehead and tapered to a band of shaved hair along the back of his head. His white lab coat hung loose around his lanky shoulders. A wide smile bloomed on his lips as he knelt beside her and held out a bottle of water.

His brown eyes sparkled with humor. “You’ll be mighty sensitive in those regions for a while with the level of panic you emitted. But that side effect will let up.”

She accepted the drink, a question on the tip of her tongue she didn’t want to voice.

“All of this affected your nerves,” he motioned to her private parts as if he had every right, “and those there are the most sensitive parts of a body. I’d take you as my third right now just to enjoy the fallout. Yes, sir, close the quota with a redheaded elite.”

Kami leaned away from him and his offensive comment.
That is wrong on so many levels. How rude could one person get?

The woman pursed her lips into a little grin. “This is Conrad. I’m Coral. We’ll show you around the city and get you acquainted with things before we let you roam on your own. We can show you key areas to envision so you can sync and not have to deal with the vehicles they use here. Horrid contraptions if you ask me. Just remember to be hidden when you do so nobody sees you disappear. Of course, we’ll be around should you need us during your stay.” She motioned with her nod. “Now, let’s get you off this
Ober
base and steady on your feet.”

Kami glanced at the platform. “Sure glad this fog isn’t a lingering effect.”

Conrad’s cheery chuckle burst into laughter and he held out his hand to help her up. She grumbled under her breath and with a glower accepted the offer. His fingers slowly wrapped around hers and his thumb brushed along the top of her palm with light caresses. The sensual touch sent a charge to her nipples and spasms to her core. Her breath hitched, fire burning her cheeks and ears as she flush.

Her gaze snapped to the glint in his eye.
The idiot did that on purpose!
She snatched her hand from his grasp. “I think I’ll let Coral help me up.”

Another burst of mirth spit from Conrad and his hand flew to his mouth, stifling it into a sloppy snort. He peeked at her through gleeful lids and turned his palm to her in an apologetic gesture.

Kami looked at Coral to find the woman’s lips pinched between her teeth, the corners fighting to keep a serious regard.

I have to deal with these people for a week?
She swore under her breath and slid from the platform, abandoning the bottled water. Pushing herself to a stand, she steadied her feet and tugged at her blouse to regain any dignity she had left.

Coral’s head tilted to the side and her white waves brushed her cheek. “Oh, Kami, I’m sorry, dear.” She pulled her into a hug. “Things will settle down.”

Conrad sniffled and folded his arms across his chest, nodding in agreement as he calmed.

Her pale blue gaze sought Kami’s as she held her at arm’s length. Brows pulling together, she whispered. “You are still a
Vella
, correct?”

Kami hesitated, studying the lady’s demeanor.
What does being a maiden have to do with anything?
“Yes.”

“Then I suggest you keep a little distance between you and fellows while you’re here. They’ll flock to you with that beautiful hair and those sweet blue eyes. And you’ll find them hard to resist in your current state.” She winked. “Gotta save yourself for marriage, you know.”

Riotous cackles exploded and Conrad doubled over, staggering to catch his balance.

Kami’s mouth dropped open. “God, give me a break!” Shrugging out of Coral’s touch, she marched along the cobbled path toward the exit. “I’ll find my own way around.”

As she gripped the doorknob, realization caused her to pause. She glanced at her snickering guides. “Um… Is my new boss a man or a woman?”

Conrad’s mirth rose to a new level and filled the arboretum. She huffed and marched out the door, his snorts and cries following her until he choked on his own breath.

The cement floor hammered her heels as her irritated stride carried her to the center of a large vacant chamber. Shadows loomed, thickening in the far corners where the light from the transport room and the few broken windows that lined the ceiling didn’t reach.

She slowed her pace, gazing around the still environment. Iron shafts braced the ceiling’s framework, neighbored by crates and machinery she didn’t recognize. The stark difference from the atrium in her home dimension crashed in on her.

They hide Ober behind an industrial front here, but… I don’t really know what’s out there.
She glanced the way she came.
If it’s an abandoned warehouse like they say, the area can’t be safe.

Shuffles scurried in the distance and a loud clank echoed through the space. Vicious snarls rose beyond the walls and Kami’s heart jumped to her throat. In shocked instinct, she synced back to the arboretum.

Catching her breath, she bunched her hands into fists and faced her guides. “Okay, maybe you should show me a few things first.” She sent a warning glare to Conrad. “But you keep to yourself.”

His hands rose to his side. “All right, I’m sorry.” His demeanor calmed and he seemed to regret his performance. “Really, you’ll like it here.”

Coral looped her arm around Kami’s and gave it a squeeze. “Yes you will. And not to worry, you’ll be working at a bank and your boss is a woman. In fact, all your co-workers are women. Well, except for Daniel.”

“But he might as well be,” added Conrad.

Kami looked at him sideways.
What’s that supposed to mean?
“Are you setting me up for another joke?”

Shaking her head, Coral led her down the cobblestone walkway. “No, Kami, he’s not. Daniel prefers men and my bet is he’ll turn out to be your best friend.”

Prefers men? And what does
that
mean?

The garden faded from sight as Coral synced with space, carrying Kami’s elements forward. Warmth flowed through her essence and, looking ahead to her new life, she decided the question could wait.

So it begins.
Her heart dipped at the reality.
Without Ian.

Chapter 4

Six months later…

Kami counted the bills in her hand for the third time and jotted the total on her teller pad. Exasperation boiled under her skin as all counts came up different. She bunched the money in her fist and slammed her elbows on the counter.

“Day end as bad as the morning?”

Kami glanced to her left to find a set of manicured fingers grip the top of her stall. Her coworker’s bouffant hair made her head look like a black light bulb with a painted face, complete with long dark lashes, thick red lips, and blue eyes.

“I swear, Tina. If I don’t balance again today, Mrs. Tubbs is going to have a fit.”

“It’s from denying those feminine urges of yours. Ever since you and Tank broke up, you’ve been a mess.”

Kami sent her a sidelong look. “His name was Dillan. And he wasn’t interested in me. Just my urges.” She closed her eyes and let her voice drop to a mumble. “Just like the others.”

A clamber of clinks and chinks rattled from the lobby and they glanced to the coin-counting machine. The familiar ski-capped bum tugged his wide collar up his neck and around his cheeks before dumping another baggie full of change into the tray. He dug in his camouflage jacket, producing a third.

Tina’s gaze returned to Kami and her fingers let loose of the wooden panel. “Well, why don’t you go look up that old boyfriend you always compare your guys to? You know, if he’s as perfect as you say he is; I’m sure you two could work out whatever it was that broke you up. Seriously, it took you long enough to start accepting dates when you got here. I’ve never had to work on a woman for two months to finally convince her to go out with someone.”

Kami sighed.
It took that long for Ober’s ridiculous side effects to wear off.
But, how many times had she considered doing exactly what her friend suggested? Everything she did, she imagined Ian would enjoy it, hate it, or debate a compromise.

“Can’t,” she muttered.

“Can’t or won’t. Seriously, what do you want from a man? They’re only human and face it girl, so are you. Get rid of those ridiculous fake glasses you hide behind and live.”

With a glower, Kami nudged the black frames up her nose. “Maybe I’m just looking for love in the wrong place. Maybe it’s time to try something else.”

“Or…” Tina’s voice turned singsong. “You could try with Mr. Gorgeous over there. Every Thursday he comes in the bank and every Thursday he chooses to go to your window, even if there’s a line.”

Kami looked at her friend, and Tina’s lashes batted in the direction of the front doors. “Love can happen with a hunk like that…among other things.” She wiggled her dark brows.

Following her gaze, Kami’s senses flushed. “Oh, Mr. Ingram.” A grin pressed into her cheeks. “It could…”

She dropped the bundle of twenties back into her drawer and slammed it shut as Tina dipped from sight.

The man paused at the bank’s convenience desk and picked out a deposit slip. His black tee hugged his biceps and stretched tight across the flat planes of his chest. He raked his fingers through his chocolate hair and then reached to his back pocket, stretching the fabric tighter.

Daniel’s hushed voice came from the right side of her stall. “I got this one, Kami. You can finish balancing your drawer.”

She glanced in his direction. His brown hair bobbed above the edge of the barrier, looking like a stubby tassel. “Not a chance, Daniel.”