Read The Seer (Tellaran Series) for Free Online

what he said.
    A lump formed in her throat at how strongly he meant it. So strongly that she knew if TelSec burst in right now he’d block their way and fight to the last breath to keep them from taking her.
    Jolar reached into his pocket and pulled out an ID scanner. "Come here."
    Arissa recoiled instinctively. "What's that for? You already have my scan."
    "Here's the first rule if you want to live, Arissa. You do what I tell you when I tell you,” he bit out. “Come here ."
    She took a few reluctant steps closer, watching him warily.
    He held the scanner up near her eye and caught her chin before she could turn away. "Don't flinch. It's a simple ID scan. People do it everyday, several times a day. It doesn't hurt and no one is afraid of them."
    Arissa willed herself not to move as he flashed the red light in her eye.
    He glanced at the reading. He turned the scanner so she could see the display.
    She blinked. It was her face, her as she was now, not as a little girl, and there was no black stripe above her image to mark her deceased.
    " Legan , Arissa?” she breathed. "What is this?"
    "That's your new name. Hope you like it, though doesn't much matter if you don't."
    "My new—?” The breath rushed out of her lungs. "I have an ID? Will it—Will that show on all the scanners?"
    "Oh, yes. System wide, absolutely authentic and official."
    An ID, a real one, a non-telepath one? The possibilities, the safety, the freedom of it made her dizzy.
    "You did that?" Arissa managed.
    "No, I called in every favor and debt owed me to make that happen. I just burned through every bit of influence I’ve built up in the last ten years—goodwill that was intended to land me Zartan’s seat on the Tellaran Council after I retire from the Fleet.” Jolar’s eyes were blue ice. “I expect to be well paid in return."
    "Oh." She wet her lips and glanced at the cot. A real ID in return for letting him have her? She couldn’t afford to refuse, it didn’t even occur to her to try. "You want—I mean, here or—?"
    He burst out laughing and Arissa's face went hot.
    "You couldn't fuck me enough to pay for this!" Jolar sobered. "No, that’s not what I want from you. There's something on Sertar I have to do. Something important. Having a woman with me is actually a liability—unless she has a unique talent to bring to the table. Your talent."
    She searched his face. "You need a telepath."
    "Want one,” he corrected. “I don't need one. Which means you do as you're told or your best hope is that Doctor de’Sar gets her longed-for opportunity to study one of you. Are we clear?"
    Arissa swallowed. "Yes."
    He held up the scanner. "This is a solid ID—unless something happens to me. Make sure nothing happens to me. Still clear?"
    Her cheeks were burning. "Don't kill you in your sleep. Got it."
    His sense was as cold as his eyes now. "Don't misunderstand me. If I think for a moment you've betrayed me, I'll put that blaster bolt in your head myself."
    He was such a jumble of emotion she couldn’t sort it all but just the words hurt. She blinked away the sudden sting of tears. "Sorry. I was—I was joking."
    He locked gazes with her. "Don't joke like that again."
    She dropped her eyes.
    "All right," he said finally. "You're going to shower and change. I have clothes for you. They might not fit perfectly or be what you like, but put them on anyway. Fix yourself up as best you can in twenty minutes."
    Arissa frowned. "Why?"
    "Because that's how much time I'm giving you," he said impatiently, turning away.
    She pushed the curls out of her face. "Whatever you say, Commander.”
    His sudden anger hit her so hard she gasped.
    "Don't ever call me that again," he snarled. "Understand?"
    "I don't—I thought—” She shook her head. “Well, isn't that what you are?"
    He gave her a narrow look. “Are you fucking with me? Or have you forgotten I know you’re a Seer?”
    Arissa seethed. “Are you expecting me to read your every thought? Because it