FireDance by Viola Grace Page B

faced the queries of Thakeri’s defense.
    “Hahvi Karuda, why did you accuse my client?”
    Hahvi sat with the data pad on her lap. “I witnessed the change in attitude by Aliora and recognized it as a psychic seduction.”
    “Are you an expert?”
    She gave the woman a look of contempt. “Yes, I am.”
    “How so?”
    “I have been on the receiving end of a similar brand of seduction, and it had a similar effect.”
    “Are you certain that you did not accuse him just because the handsome baron did not select you as a bed partner?” The legal representative had the expression that indicated that any and all women would enjoy Thakeri’s attentions.
    “I am certain.”
    Hahvi waited while the woman and the accused spoke quietly.
    When the woman returned, Thakeri smirked.
    “Are you not simply using your own experiences to colour your impression of Thakeri?”
    Hahvi looked at the weary deciding council. “May I speak freely?”
    Four of the councillors nodded.
    “My experiences led me to voluntary incarceration, because I was afraid of injuring family or friends with my presence. I do, however, have proof of Thakeri’s attempted seduction.”
    The legal rep blinked, “What?”
    “I am wearing a living suit that assists me in my work, but as my species is new to the Citadel, it is implanted with sensors to detect all psychic fields.”
    Hahvi lit the data projector and showed the group a scan of talent. “Do you see that energy wave pattern? That pattern is that of a male in the Citadel whose talent is psychic seduction. Do you see this next pattern and the time stamp? That pattern of energy was registered against this suit on my arrival.”
    She played the arrival vid. “Here you see him approaching me, the energy in my suit is stable, and here is his touch on my hand and the registration of the psychic field. So, madam, yes, I do know what a psychic seduction feels like. No, I do not think that every man in my vicinity is trying to seduce me, and yes, I know the look on a woman’s face when she is dumbstruck under psychic pressure. I saw it in a mirror, nine years ago.”
    The victims looked relieved and the councillors bent their heads together.
    Finally, the head of the council stood. “Baron Thakeri, you are found guilty of psychic seduction and having an undeclared talent. Your nullification will stand and in light of your manipulation of these proceedings, you will be wiped, and tomorrow, you will begin your new life as one of the masses.”
    The baron was crying, snivelling. His legal rep was looking at him with repulsion.
    Hahvi got to her feet and swayed. Rackon was at her side, and they walked back to her quarters where a meal waited for her. She ate numbly, suffered through a shower and didn’t even feel Rackon curl around her.

Chapter Twelve
    Hahvi wished she had something to read. Creating diversions to give the city a smooth and even path to fly over was boring as hell.
    Six hours of diverting lava were almost at an end. As she watched, the city slowly elevated evenly, moving into position on the new plateau.
    A now-cheerful Aliora piloted the flier that came down. “We are there, Hahvi. You did it!”
    Hahvi dragged herself onto the flier and held on while they returned to the city. Drilling was commencing, connecting them to the water table. Power would be run through the mountain next to them, keeping them away from the possibility of magma eruption.
    The crowds waiting for her cheered and yelled as the flier came in for a landing outside her quarters.
    Hahvi was curious, “I thought you had to land in the designated area.”
    “I will take the fine. You need some rest and a shower.” Aliora wrinkled her nose.
    Hahvi walked through the crowd, shaking hands and smiling, but the door to her apartment loomed ever larger. Inside, she breathed deeply before heading upstairs.
    The shower woke her enough to make sure she drank some water, but wrapped in a towel, she fell onto her bed without