Her skin began to glow with a strange, translucent light. “It seems you have a call, Orphia. What do you see in your mind?” The image that she saw shocked her sensibilities. Even though she had attended a number of nude funerals, she had never had to put on clothing that made her look like a sex worker. “It is a seraglio. A number of women are lying around, nearly naked, and a man is sitting and having a conversation with what appears to be a Negotiator.” She closed her eyes and concentrated. “There is a woman glowing and looking miserable. She is the topic of the discussion. Someone is trying to buy her, and her owner is mulling over the plusses and minuses of the sale.” “What is our assignment?” She looked up at him. “I don’t know. I just know I have to be there.” He nodded. “It goes that way sometimes. Come along. I will show you to the Acquisition Centre.” They got to their feet, and he wrapped her in his arms, inhaling deeply as he transported them. The Acquisition Centre was milling with people, but the line parted the moment that she stepped forward.
