Read Sands of Sorrow for Free Online

Like I have energy again.”
    A deep growling came from the doorway and Saluk bounded in, pressing his head against her thigh, and she sighed and stroked his scales, feeling the crackle of power against her fingertips.
    Imron let go of her and blinked. “Did anyone scan the dog?”
    Trel and the other medics looked to each other and shrugged.
    Imron sighed and got a handheld scanner, bringing it to Saluk and grinning as he found what he was looking for.
    “Well, Salika, that explains why you have always had access to power in a primitive colony. Saluk’s scales generate a charge, probably to keep sand from getting to his skin. It is probably why that was the first display of your talent. Your instincts acknowledged what you were seeing in Saluk.”
    The medical technicians were staring at the equipment in consternation.
    Imron chuckled and looked toward it, snapping his fingers quickly. A spark jumped from his hand to the machine, and it powered on.
    “You will need to recalibrate it, but it should be up and running again.”
    Salika fought the urge to touch it again and overload the system. She swayed a little, and Imron took her arm.
    “You are overdue for a meal and a rest. Come on; let’s get you fed.”
    Saluk growled, but Imron merely glared back, and Saluk blinked in surprise. Imron led her out of medical, and Saber hopped up to them, chattering in irritation.
    “Grab your beastie, and I will get you something to eat. What colour code are you?”
    “Red and black.”
    “Interesting. Find a seat, and I will bring you something.”
    She nodded and headed into the dining area, finding a corner seat where Saluk and Saber could cuddle with her. She was feeling better by the minute.
    Imron brought her a tray, and one of the Citadel staff followed with a beverage set.
    Salika smiled. “Thank you both.”
    Imron grinned and sat across from her. “My mother would expect nothing less of her son. I had to take etiquette classes.”
    “I would never have guessed.” She smiled.
    He tsked and sighed as he handed her a cup of caf. “I suppose that our first meeting wasn’t very successful.”
    “It taught me some things that I needed to know. I took what I learned and acted on it.”
    “What did you learn?”
    “That the scars of the past can cast shadows on the present. They do more than close a wound; they harden you and make you less flexible.”
    “So, what were your actions?”
    She sipped at her caf and smiled. “I regained my flexibility.”
    Under the table, Imron’s leg touched hers. She paused; her mind and body froze for a minute before she decided not to move away.
    Saluk growled, but Imron ignored him.
    Salika took a few items off her plate and held them out for Saluk. He turned his nose up at the offering.
    “Oh, good grief, Saluk. Imron just brought it; he didn’t make it.”
    Her companion opened his jaws and took the pieces daintily. It was a gesture of consideration for her, and she knew it.
    Imron grinned. “Saluk really does not like me much.”
    “You are another male. He is protective of me.”
    “Is there a reason for it?”
    “Yes, there have been times when it was not possible for him to be next to me. The incidents were difficult, and it took us some time to get over them.” She tried to change the topic. “So, your mother was a fan of etiquette?”
    He inclined his head. “She was, indeed. Still is, probably.”
    She smiled and noted the cup of seeds for Saber. She set the Yaluthu on the table and held a handful of seeds up where they were accessible.
    Now that her companions were fed, it was time for her to eat.
    “What about your parents?”
    She coughed on a loose-grain salad. “My parents? I don’t know who they are. I am a bastard.”
    “I see. How did your society deal with that?”
    “I was surrendered to the public welfare system, and I was educated until I was seven or so. After that, I was ejected from school and left to fend for myself.”
    “That sounds