Diane's head jerked back and she looked at Tryson , who sighed but urged her to answer him. She blinked a few times, but turned back to Lina. "I was thirteen when… I first… bled," she said, and he felt her recoil.
It made him sick. He held her hand tightly, glaring at the cat.
"She is fully mature, Lina, and you know it. Stop trying to put her off balance."
"You are a traitor and a human agent, Tryson ," Lina said without taking his eyes off of Diane. "You do not give orders to me. Diane," he said, his voice brighter—and less authentic—when he addressed her. "Have you ever given birth?"
"I… what? No!"
"Pity," Lina said. "There has been a rash of infertility among the females here as well. But that does not mean with the right mate she couldn't—"
"She hasn't had children, because she
