Page 17 of Klora (Mates of the Mylos #6)

CHAPTER 17

KLORA

Why hadn’t I considered it might be an allergic reaction to something in the local environment? Trying to wash off the possible irritants sounded like a good idea, so why wait? We had several bottles of water right here! I stripped off quickly, the better to reach my waist and hips where some of the worst itching also was, then, laying eyes on two complimentary bathrobes folded up on the vanity outside the bathroom door next to some towels, I grabbed one of each. Wetting a corner of the towel, I began to wipe the cool water against my skin. It did reduce the itching, but it didn’t go away entirely. Still, that had to be proof that we were on to something, right? I probably merely needed an antihistamine for the itching, and once my scales weren’t irritated, I’d be able to retract my partial shift.

I quickly put the bathrobe on, all too aware that I’d made a mistake - unlike McDuffie, I hadn’t thought to grab a soft pair of shorts to sleep in. I usually slept nude, but that definitely was not an option at the moment. I’d have to sleep in the robe and tomorrow, grab myself some sleep shorts.

“First things first,” I muttered to myself, “Room service.” I picked up the tethered comm device next to one side of the bed and dialed the number on the list posted next to it. They assured me it would be ready within the next half hour if not slightly sooner, so I placed the combined ear and mouthpiece back onto its cradle and commed Sickbay. Thankfully Proslo was there, having just finished looking over Tyrone.

“I’m glad to hear he’s fine,” I said.

“Yes, indeed. Just as the human medics said, only shaken a bit and some minor bumps and bruises from the poor quality of transport.”

“There’s actually something else,” I blurted out, eager to get the real reason I’d called across before he disconnected the comm. ”I seem to have had an allergic reaction to something in the air.”

“Oh? Describe the symptoms.”

“My itching was a bit longer than usual after I initiated my partial shift but it’s become exponentially worse after reaching the station we retrieved the hostages from. But then McDuffie suggested it might be an allergy from something in the air upsetting my already upset scales, so maybe I should shower. Only he’s using the shower so I washed my scales off with bottles of water.”

“And it’s better or worse?”

“A bit better at first, but it’s getting itchier again,” I admitted.

“And Mcduffie is who? The other kidnap victim?”

“Yes.”

Proslo hummed. “Two possibilities. Something permeated your skin so merely a quick wipe off isn’t going to do it. You’ll need to do a prolonged rinse and use appropriate skin cleanser to try to remove any residue. The human antihistamine Benadryl is actually safe for us to use and fairly effective. It’s available at nearly every pharmacy without a prescription. Take a dose and let’s see what happens. Also, take note on whether the itching is worse when McDuffie is close to you. If it gets any worse, have Xeranos patch you through to me immediately.” He chuckled. “Don’t stress over it, though. Either way, it’s nothing to worry about.”

“Understood.”

I stared down at my kunnarskyn as the Chief Medic ended the comm before I’d even finished speaking. I frowned down at it. He’d said there were two possibilities, but he’d only covered one. And he asked about McDuffie’s proximity, so it might be the case that some product he was wearing before showering triggered my allergy somehow. Well, he was bathing using the hotel supplies which were hypoallergenic for both humans and Mylos, so if that was the case, I shouldn’t have a repeat once the antihistamines did their job. Time to call the front desk and see if someone could go out and bring me the Benadryl.

“For adults?” came the question once I got through to someone to ask.

“Yes.”

“Liquid or capsules?”

“Whichever works fastest.”

“Is it an emergency? If so, we can call an ambulance.”

“No, I’ve just got a mild allergic reaction to something that touched my bare skin. Our Chief medic told me to take a shower and take some of this Benadryl.”

“No problem. It will be there in about twenty minutes.”

“Thank you.”

Now I needed someone to come watch the door to ensure McDuffie didn’t try to run off while I was in the shower, I huffed in annoyance. Everyone else was arriving tomorrow, so it was going to have to be the L.T.C. I groaned in frustration. He was going to be annoyed, there was no two ways about it. Still, needs must. I typed out a message, not wanting to hear the censure in his voice before he even got here. I got a reply just as McDuffie exited the bathroom, steam billowing out the open door.

“On my way.”

It was a good thing because all he had was a towel tied around his trim waist, water droplets sitting on his skin, some of them slowly running down towards what his towel hid.

I needed that cold shower more than ever. Damn my dick.