Read Online Bane by Viola Grace - Free Book Online Page B

best time. She insisted, and as you can guess, few folks say no to my grandmother.”
    They passed several staffers who moved aside for them. Ava clued in. “You told them not to touch me.”
    “I did. Also, it was fairly obvious that something made you violently ill yesterday, and it didn’t take much supposition to figure out why.”
    He brought her to Almia Rathos, and the doctor quickly shooed him out of the room.
    “Thank you, Doctor.”
    “Call me, Almia. You have done our people a great service.”
    “I get the feeling that you are about to return the favour.” Ava smiled brightly, and the examination commenced.
    When Almia ran her through every test available and several scans that showed the itty-bitty fleck of living tissue that would eventually form into a person, Ava got a little weepy.
    “Well, let me be frank. I have never seen anyone with your physiology before, but if you check in weekly so I can monitor your progress, we can come up with a baseline for what should be normal. I will tell you that you need to cease with the blood work. You can’t put that kind of strain on your body when it is going through a pregnancy.”
    “You might want to consult with your husband. If he needs more, then I will provide more.”
    Almia walked over and grabbed her arm. “The culture he has will be enough. Those close to the edge have already gotten the treatment. The rest will be inoculated as the serum is developed. Your body is changing, so I don’t know how long you can continue to produce viable antibodies.”
    That shocked Ava. “What?”
    “Your body is adopting Admorik characteristics around the baby. It is a slow growth, but as the child increases in size, the change will be more dramatic. Even now, your abdomen is darker than it was when you came in.”
    Avaneer pulled on her gown and ran her hands through her hair. “I did not anticipate that.”
    “It’s a new one for me as well.” Almia smiled. “We will get you through this. Don’t worry.”
    Ava straightened her shoulders and pulled the shawl around her arms. “I will be here next week for another exam. Now, do you want to talk to Dr. Rathos or should I?”
    “Oh, I will consult with him, and he will see things my way. See you in a week.” Almia winked and walked Ava to the door.
     
    Avaneer filled Kondr in on all the details, including her gradual transformation.
    “So, you will become an Admorik?” His frown was uncertain.
    “I think the baby needs the change to support it. So, I will go black and shiny, have a baby, and afterward, I might or might not shift back. Who knows? I certainly don’t.” A slightly hysterical giggle broke from her until she was rocking back and forth trying to calm herself.
    Kondr gathered her on his lap and cuddled her close. “We will get through it together. If there are any problems, issues or what have you, we will get through them together. I have grown attached to your snarky wit. I hope it translates into our son. He will be an amazing politician.”
    Ava smiled. “You don’t mind the impending stress?”
    “Avaneer, we just survived a plague that took five percent of our population and would have taken the other ninety-five if not for you. A new life will be welcome and celebrated. I have spoken with my sister, and once she and her husband have their shots, they will be coming in for a visit to meet you. Family is always welcome, and you are now family.”
     
    She didn’t know if it was going to come to pass, but it was a lovely thought to keep in her mind as her talent spluttered during her pregnancy and she was unable to remain a contact healer.
    Her skin darkened and took on the texture and sheen of the Admorik until the day that her son was born.
    Avaneer Leftiss Lytan sat up in bed with her child at her breast. The moment that he was born, her body began to reset itself to her normal pale colouration. “Are you disappointed that I am not keeping the Admorik skin?”
    Kondr lifted her