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Im-bar chuckled. You should have seen what your sperm did when they met the egg. She got her tablet and showed him the image, and Raek blinked and laughed. Oh, well, if I wasn t sure, that is very convincing. Are they building a fort?

His sister laughed and showed him the image of the drops moving up her thigh, seeking the egg.

They were exceptionally determined. She blanked the screen.

He grinned. Way to go, boys.

Im-bar laughed. Right. Go and get some rest. I will share the image of the blessed speck when you wake. You are going to be a father.

He beamed. Maybe we aren t going extinct after all.

She s coming. Shoo. I don t want her meeting you until dinner. She hugged him again and sent him on his way with a glass of water, just like she had when he was a child. She inhaled deeply and got control of her emotions.

From the moment she saw Cadence, she remembered her brother flinching away from others and fighting his clothing.

Their family had worked with him, and he turned into an amazing defender.

He saved lives all around the globe and evacuated their island just before the volcano destroyed and sank it, leaving a smouldering heap where their home had been.

Aksalla had offered them refuge, but Raek had included a price for his work.

He wanted an heir, and he had been looking across the globe.

The problem with the Aksallan government was that they had been looking for Toulan DNA.

They didn t need the DNA; she needed to have harmonics as her activation.

Cadence was the strongest they had found and the only successful pregnancy.

When Im-bar saw her discomfort with the world, her memories of her brother had surged, and now a smiling Cadence walked toward the house, looking her actual age instead of a woman twenty years older.

Cadence came in and smiled. You said to come in if I was thirsty.

That I did. Co-ver is our housekeeper, and she would normally be accessible, but there was a sudden occurrence that she had to attend.

Oh. Was it me? I can go somewhere for a few hours. I know my signal upsets people.

Im-bar smiled. It wasn t you. We just had a mechanical failure, and she had to go clean up the mess. Something melted.

Oh. Okay.

Im-bar walked around the kitchen and got her a glass of water and then got her a sports bottle, adding some electrolytes to it.

Dr. Amber, have you always been a doctor?

No. I was a cook and baker for a number of years.

I grew up on a small island, and we didn t need much.

We produced some of the most powerful actives in the world at the time.

For decades, different countries were courting our best and brightest. Our population got down to just a few families.

Then, one day, the volcano that our island perched on erupted.

We evacuated and now had to find somewhere to take us in.

Cadence sipped at her water and clutched the bottle. That s horrible.

You were chased from your home as well but with far less hopeful circumstances.

Cadence blinked. I suppose.

How did you get from the capitol to Aksalla?

I walked and swam and walked again. I was shot coming into the country, and in the hospital, I explained my family, and fortunately, they were on public forums with their hate and contempt. That was enough to get me a hearing and asylum. I went into foster care and got community college paid for.

Im-bar saw a small crystal in the corner, and she snorted. Raek was listening. He had always been nosey.

How did you get to Z-Corp?

Oh, they had a job fair, and I am good at seeing what people respond to, so I got into their advertising department.

Did you go from college to Z-Corp?

No. I cleaned houses and did at-home business accounting. A friend told me to go to the job faire.

And you did.

And I did.

Who is your friend?

Her name is Ylara. She recently got married.

Oh, is he nice?

Um, I didn t meet him.

Weren t you invited to the wedding?

I was, but I am not really suited for large groups of people.

Im-bar looked at her hunched shoulders and tired expression. You are perfect for this place. It is very secure, and no one will mind if you make their skin prickle.

Cadence smiled. You have been around an active like me before.

I have. Your kind are always seeking harmony with the world around them.

So, you know I am not a sonic talent.

I know. You are a harmonic. The vibrations come from your core and ripple through the world.

My core is currently occupied.

Im-bar laughed. Yes. That is true. Just a warning, if the child is harmonic, it will grow a little faster now that you are here, where your signal can expand.

What?

The energy you are constantly wasting by fighting your clothing will go into developing the embryo. That s why you feel better. You simply have more energy. It is yours to use and not to waste.

Would it be possible to get underwear made of the same fabric?

Im-bar blinked and only then realized that her brother ran around commando. Yes, Cadence. Of course. Now, we have found you a personal trainer who will train you on the grounds. The images will be taken by the photographer, who happens to be your trainer. His name is Rake.

Oh. Is he here?

He s been travelling and is resting. You will meet him for dinner.

Cadence smiled. Great. Um, can I wait on the training for a few days?

Yes. Get settled and find your centre. When you feel the energy building and need to burn it off, let us know. I think it will only take a few days.

Okay. Can I go outside again?

Of course. Take your water bottle. If you need more, come to me. I want to keep your system balanced.

Cadence smiled. Thank you.

She left and was almost skipping as she moved. Im-bar was glad. One small move was making all the difference.

Co-ver came in and said, Ah, did I miss her?

Yes. She is skipping down the pathways.

I will get some food ready for her.

Good. She will be hungry by then. Is Raek settled?

He s out with a smile on his lips. Co-ver smiled. Just like old times, well, he didn t smile then. It s good he s awake.

He s going to leave crystals in rooms that she frequents. He s curious. And he will be her personal trainer, named Rake.

Co-ver smiled. Excellent. I will get lunch started. I remember that harmonics eat a lot.