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course, we have to choose a willing donor.”
    “Of course. Would you go with your own species or settle for one that is compatible?”
    “I think we would find a worthy man with good instincts and work from there.” Vesa had a glow in her eyes.
    Ainora knew that look. Vesa was going to make her decision soon.
    Yinfa wrinkled her nose, and it did split when she did so. “I can’t imagine having a little one. Well, not until I am at least seventy. I am just getting the hang of my body without handing it over to another creature for two years.”
    Ainora blinked at the amount of information in that statement. Yinfa’s people lived long lives, had long gestation and had prolonged adolescence. It was fascinating what one outburst could tell her.
    She began to listen to Yinfa and Vesa, but she focused on every detail of their conversation until Vesa looked at her and laughed.
    “You are analyzing our speech. It is amazing; your aura turns purple with flashes of blue that matches your hair.”
    “And you are analyzing my analysis. I can see it in your posture.” She laughed and then yawned.
    Her body began to crash; it wanted to sleep and the clock was ticking.
    “I think I need to get to bed. I have left it a little too long. Please excuse me.” She rose to her feet and fought to stay up.
    Yinfa was at her side in a moment, putting her arm around her shoulders and supporting her.
    “Come on, Master Lenz. Let’s get you some rest in that nice, comfy room.”
    “I am very sorry about this. It hasn’t happened since I was a teen.”
    “You have used your talent fairly constantly today. You are entitled to exhaustion. Stamina will come later.”
    A new voice entered the conversation. “I will take her. Come on, Ainora.”
    Hands lifted her and she smelled pine. Her lids were too heavy, but she rested her head on his shoulder. “Hello, Lyon. You seem to be doing better. I thought you would be sleeping by now.”
    “I was on my way to my quarters when I saw you crushing your guide.”
    Yinfa’s voice was indignant. “I can easily hold her up.”
    “She is staying a few doors down from me. This is not a problem.” He shifted her against his chest.
    She patted his body with one hand. “You were hurt.”
    “I was, and I am very tired so no fussing. They gave me an adrenaline shot so I could get to my own room, but I won’t be too far behind you heading into sleepy land.”
    Ainora was rapidly losing her grip on being awake. She felt Yinfa grab her hand and open her bedroom door with it. As a group, they headed inside and Yinfa tried to scatter Lyon.
    “Master Tacks, please leave now.”
    Ainora heard him thud into her wall.
    “I am sorry, but I think I am going to have to rest here. I will leave when I wake.”
    Yinfa sighed, and Ainora felt Lyon fall on her bed. She didn’t care; she was gone.
     
    Ainora sat bolt upright when her body had shaken off the fatigue. She looked around, and the dim light of her windows showed the broad bulk of Lyon in her bed, fully clothed. She checked herself, and aside from the robe being removed, she was still dressed.
    Sighing with relief, she headed to the lav and took a quick shower, only remembering her guest after she had put the bodysuit into the cleaner. Ainora used the dryer and wrapped herself in a length of towel before sneaking out of the lav and heading for her wardrobe.
    She groped around and found another suit, tiptoeing with it back into the lav. It took some contortions, but she got the suit on and got her hair up in its normal loose bun high on her head. Feeling armed for whatever happened next, she crept out of the lav and went back to bed. She hated going to bed dirty.
    Lyon rolled toward her, and she stifled a squeak when he put one of his deadly arms around her and pulled her back against him. She lay perfectly still while he settled his body to hers. When he resumed his even breathing, she relaxed and tried to get used to the feeling of someone holding