Read Chaining the Lady for Free Online

of water into each other—why, there it is!”
    There it was, of course: the second card Melody had drawn from the deck and laid on the table. Yael did not recognize the significance, being unfamiliar with the Tarot deck and its related concepts. But Melody saw it: a soul being poured from one physical container into another. The starry background suggested galactic implications, as indeed there were. Transfer was the very essence of galactic civilization; without it modern society would collapse.
    â€œGet on with your story,” Melody said.
    â€œThe Society accepted me,” Yael said. “Just like that. I could hardly believe it. But now I understand. I don't have much of an aura or much of a mind, but my body is good, and that's what they need. Transferees don't care about the host-mind, and they can't use a high host-aura at all, but they like the best bodies. So I'm the perfect host! After twenty years of host service, I can retire with a good pension, if I want to. Meanwhile, I get adventure. But I'm only supposed to watch, not bother you.”
    â€œThere may not be much adventure,” Melody said. “I'm of Mintaka, the Music sphere, and I'm going home again first opportunity. I do not crave intrigue or excitement.”
    â€œOh,” Yael said, disappointed. “You're such a nice entity even if you are an alien, and you have such a fine mind, even I can feel it. You're everything I wanted to be. I wish you'd stay.”
    Melody found herself feeling flattered. “You actually want to have your body controlled by an alien intellect?”
    â€œIt is the only way I can be what I can never be,” Yael said simply.
    â€œBut suppose a transferee abused your body? Damaged it?”
    â€œThe God of Hosts protects me.”
    â€œThe God of Hosts?” Melody inquired, amazed. “You believe in that?”
    â€œOf course. 'Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet—lest we forget, lest we forget.' That's the Society prayer. All hosts have to memorize it.”
    Melody pondered. If a host forgot it would mean the loss of identity. It was the same for a transferee. Memory was all that distinguished one personality from another, when aura faded in an alien body.
    Melody returned to the cards. “The Star—that's your hope for glamor and adventure. To obtain it, you must suffer loss, the loss of your body. For twenty years. When you get it back, your prime will be gone. That's a terrible price.”
    â€œIt's no worse than what I would have had at home,” Yael pointed out.
    Melody could not refute that. “Well, I'll stay for a while,” she decided. “I don't have much choice in the matter myself. But don't go away; I want you handy, just in case.”
    â€œI can't go away,” Yael said.
    â€œYou know what I mean. Don't play dumb. Don't hide in the woodwork. I don't like preempting your body, but I stop the music at preempting your mind. ”
    â€œYou mean I can join your adventure? Not just watch?” The girlish personality seemed incredulous.
    â€œIt's your adventure too,” Melody said “Now let's brace the Imperium.” She put away the cards, stood up, walked to the computer terminal, and pushed the contact button, her motions now sure and smooth. This wasn't a bad body at all, once she got acclimatized to it.
    â€œI'm ready to deal with the authorities,” Melody announced out loud.
    â€œSelect clothing,” the computer voice said.
    Melody played a sour note that came out as an unfeminine snort. “ You dress us,” she said internally to Yael.
    â€œIn what style?”
    â€œAny style you want. It's your body, and a good one.” Then she reconsidered, remembering the potential of the female body among Solarians. “But cover the mammaries; I don't want to get impregnated right away.”
    â€œThe breasts are always covered. Why should there be any—any–?”
    â€œYou mean it doesn't