Page 24 of From the Edge

He took a deep breath and started asking questions.

Chapter Five

The healer was pretty good at peeling potatoes. “You know you are an opal omega?”

“I do. The skin gives it away.”

“Do you know what that means?”

“Well, the way you are talking about it means that if I am up for dibs, I am hella expensive.”

“Uh, something like that. Opal omegas are immediately sent to the imperial house. Their children are incredibly talented.”

“So whores to visiting dignitaries?”

“It is an honour to be in the bed of one of the glowing ones.”

“Uh-huh. Well, I am not in showroom condition, and I find the idea repulsive, so, ick.”

The healer paused. “Your experiences have been...”

“Brutal and bloody and unwelcome.”

He suddenly attacked the potatoes with violence. Peel went flying.

“Do those potatoes owe you money?”

He paused. “What?”

“Never put rage or hate into your food. It can be consumed and fester. That isn’t nutritious. I have a gym with a lot of boxing stuff if you need to punch something later.”

He paused. “Thank you.”

“Or you can go home and find a partner to work it off with. Dealer’s choice. I am sure that doctors can pull when they want.”

He nodded. “The money is nice, but the choice of specialty narrows the number of partners secure enough to join me in bed.”

“Do you cheat at pillow fighting or something?”

He paused and laughed. “No. I fight fair by the rules of my people.”

“OBGYN?

“Yes.”

“I can see the issue. I had to meet with one a few times. They have a hard job. I made them cry. Even the Omega Centre doesn’t want to check on me.”

He blinked. “Why?”

“I make them sad.”

He winced. “That bad?”

“I dunno. I don’t get down there that often. For all I know, there’s a haunted house. Wait. Why isn’t Aspen talking?” She looked at the nearest microphone. “Aspen?”

Who’s got the power?

“Oh, you are talking to the ladies.”