Page 1 of Starfall (Stand Alone Tales #20)

Emery got dressed and headed back to work. She took her car and parked in her reserved spot in the lot. The diner was bustling with regulars and holiday visitors. Folks who had family renting places in town all sent them to the diner.

She walked in and waved at the ladies, heading for her office. Whether she needed to work or not, she had to get payroll in. Everybody else got paid first and foremost, and then, she would take her hours. She had been getting paid regularly for the last four years. Business was good.

She headed to the till and asked Sue, Are you guys doing okay?

You look like hell, and yeah, we are doing good.

Payroll is in. Payments should be hitting in the next six hours. I do love transfers.

Sue smiled. Me, too. Thanks for making sure we got paid before the holidays.

No problem. It s what I wanted when I started, and it s still what I want now.

Sue looked at her. You need a nap.

I just woke up.

Go back to bed. You look like hell. What happened last night?

A friend had a crisis, and I jumped in with both feet.

As is your way. Sue winked.

Yeah. I think today feels like a PJs and popcorn with bad movies kind of day.

Oh, heavy muscle coming our way. Have you pissed him off lately?

No. She looked toward Rowen making his way to the sidewalk, and a blush formed on her cheeks.

Sue gasped. Oh, wow. You have a thing for him.

Don t say thing in reference to him, Emery muttered.

She swallowed and looked up at him from her daywear shape. So, Row. What do you know?

I know you need to be in bed. Why are you here?

Payroll.

Understanding lit his eyes. Ah. So, are you finished?

I am. Everybody s paid. Did you come over here to get away from the sound of grunting?

We just had a sauna installed, and it isn t open to the public yet. Did you want to loosen up some muscles?

Emery saw Sue staring with fascination as she got her plates. Yes, I do.

He grinned. Would you come with me then? I promise to minimize the grunting for now.

Um. Okay.

Her staff was staring as she took the hand presented to her, and they walked out together. I am never going to live this down.

He kept her close as they crossed the street. Sure, you are. Everyone is entitled to change their mind.

I am still on the fence about that.

He chuckled. I jump fences.

She sighed. Of course you do.

He opened the door without letting go of her hand, and the clanking of the equipment proved that the muscle nuts like to rise early.

She wiped her shoes on the mat, and he led her to the back and past some construction areas marked with safety tape. She heard some snickering and dug her heels in. She slowly turned and stared at the two men who were looking at her with Rowen. She glanced at her new friend. I am just going to deal with this.

He let go of her hand, and she stalked over to the guys and spoke to them for a moment. They backed away, and then, she took a three-hundred-pound barbell, lifted it, and set it off the pathway. Don t be messy. This is a nice place. Keep it nice.

She turned and walked back to Rowen, taking his hand again. He smiled, and when they were on the other side of the door, he murmured, What did you say to them?

I just mentioned that I had been in a bad fight and showed them some bruises. And that you were being a friend and letting me use the new facilities out of pity.

He tightened his grip on her hand as they walked to the new sauna. There was a towel rack outside. Sorry, but there isn t a change room here that you would want to use. The change room for the sauna isn t finished yet.

She shrugged and removed her clothing right there, wrapping herself in the towel and then folding her clothing neatly.

There is a vestibule inside with a shelf. You could have changed there.

Emery sighed. Of course. Thanks for that.

No problem. He opened the door, and the warmer air helped her relax a little. She put her clothing on the convenient shelf and then moved to the inner chamber.

The heat wrapped around her, and she added some water from next to the heating unit and then clambered up the benches to the highest one.

When Rowen entered wearing a towel that did not cover much, she tried not to stare.

He chuckled. You can look. As we discussed, I worked hard at it.

She sighed and scooted down to the same level, looking him over. Well done. My compliments to the construction crew.

He chuckled and then paused. Emery, I noticed something this morning before you concealed it.

Her hand went to her arms, and she covered the skin on the inside of each forearm. Oh. That.

Yeah. If you don t want to tell me, that s fine.

Well, I gave you the short notes on my life. She exhaled. I skipped over a bit.

Like?

My parents adopted me before they found out I was an ogre. When they figured it out, they brought me to counselling and tried to get me to stifle myself. That is where this body came from. The other form was shameful. My claws were too sharp and limbs too long. They made me hide, and I did... but the ogre nature came out and wanted to be seen, so she-I started cutting myself with those deadly claws.

Your parents noticed?

They did, and they found me a counsellor. The cutting mostly stopped, but I still hated my other face.

Understanding flickered on his face. The one that scared your family.

That would be the one.

The one that I dream of.

If you say so.

Tonight is Yule. New starts for a new year. Why don t we try and see if we can t bring both of yourselves together.

It s the same personality; it is just the body that is the problem.

The body isn t the problem. Guilt is your problem.

It isn t a problem; it is a condition. I am half ogre, half human. My father took my mother by force. I was the result, and she didn t make it. I have the soul of a star and the body of a halfling. I am complicated, and it is even too difficult for me to grasp sometimes. She chuckled. Oh, and I took my father apart yesterday, so I am really unsure of what to do. I know the council has purged ogre blood before, so I am waiting for that to happen. They were upset to find out about that family living in their midst.

What about Orla?

She s fine. She doesn t have ogre blood. She shrugged. I don t know what will happen if they try to expel me. We are a set of stars, Orla and myself. Can she remain here if I am gone? If I die, does she die? If I am imprisoned, do I have to wait until she s gone? It could take centuries. I don t know, and I can t ask the council. They freak out when I show up.

She looked down where her scars were showing again and blinked. She was letting her defenses down, and the fact that he seemed to want the big, scary her and the little curvy her was probably working on her psyche.

Emery sighed. Right. Sorry. I am going to try and relax now.

He took her hand and pulled her against him. I get it. I am in this shape right now because even though Autumn is fused into me, my mind is fixed on the thought that it could leave anytime, and I would be back in my chair, fighting to stay moving. I am giving myself the best chance if things change.

She was lying against a lot of bare skin. She didn t say anything. She had already done the same thing. She had prepared to have nothing and had squirrelled away as much as she could.

She breathed slowly, and to her surprise, she felt herself slipping into sleep.

She heard a soft croon and just let herself slide against him. Her aching body considered it the best idea ever.

She woke up sweaty and slippery but still wearing the towel. Rowen nuzzled her temple. Welcome back. Feeling relaxed?

Yeah. My arms are feeling better. It takes more effort than I thought. All that practicing, and I nearly blew it at showtime.

You knew you would be facing an ogre?

Sure. But I didn t want to take him down with light. He didn t deserve my light. He got the blades that a friend made a few years ago.

Those. I cleaned them for you. They are still at my home.

She tried to sit up but was already sitting up and leaning against him. Am I a ventriloquist s dummy?

Well, as enticing as the idea of sliding my hand in to see what sounds you make, I believe that it was just more convenient for me. You were sliding down my chest, and your instinct was to stop yourself with your teeth. He chuckled. She looked over to where she had been leaning, and there was a puncture and drag mark on his right pectoral.

She covered her mouth. I am so sorry.

He chuckled. It was a little surprising, but you didn t fight when I moved you.

Her face was on fire. Oh, I am so sorry. I will look into how to counteract that.

What? Are you venomous?

She scrambled off his lap. No. Not like that, but your love life is about to tank until we get that taken care of. I know someone who has the antivenin.

Wait. You are venomous.

She shrugged and shifted, opening her mouth. These canines are. They are... never mind. This happened once before when they were growing. I bit a friend of mine, so my parents took me to an alchemist. She bit her lip. Let s get dressed.

He chuckled and got to his feet. I don t understand the fuss.

You will.

Sweaty and nervous, she got dressed and sent a frantic text. When she got a response a moment later, she slumped in relief. She has the antivenin. Can you come with me, please?

We could shower.

I don t have a change of clothing, and I just want to get that stuff out of you.

He grunted and got dressed. When they were both decent, he took her hand. I am parked out back. We can go from there.

He seemed to be taking it seriously, so she nodded, and he walked her through the back of the building, opened the door, and held it for her, boosting her into the vehicle. Where are we going?

Lathom Street. Number twelve.

Nice area. He helped her buckle up even though she didn t need it, and then, he moved around and got behind the wheel. They were driving for a few minutes when he asked, So, what will happen if I don t get treatment?

That is best left for the alchemist to explain. Emery was nervous.

Is it dangerous?

It is embarrassing. There are options for you, and I can t really offer anything to you. You have to be told your treatment options. I am not equipped to notify you of them.

But it was your bite.

To the magical communities at large, ogres are rabid dogs. I am trying to get you taken care of so that they don t come for me.

I am a seasonal avatar. I will be fine.

Weeelllll, Nori will explain.

He snorted. I am very curious.

Yeah. Well. It goes beyond embarrassing.

Definitely curious.

He drove and parked in the drive of the large home. A cheerful woman opened the door and waved at them, wiping her hands on a tea towel.

Emery got out of the vehicle and dropped to the ground, closing the door and walking toward the alchemist. Rowen walked behind her, and they were welcomed into the room that smelled of baked goods.

Nori, you are looking well.

Nori chuckled and kept walking, opening the pantry door and walking through it. So are you and your friend. I expected he would be pale, shaking, and masturbating.

Uh, he s made of stern stuff.

The hall opened into the lab, and the insulated container was sitting on the wooden table.

Rowen said, Why would I be jerking off?

Nori smiled. Emery s venom is supposed to be used for mating purposes with another ogre. Frankly, she wasn t supposed to be a female. Male ogres choose the sex of their offspring; female ogres choose who will father them. She bites her mate, and when she has sex with him, his sperm is carrying tracer rounds. She marks him as acceptable genetic material.

Emery didn t look at Rowen. I told you it was embarrassing.

Nori smiled. Since Em isn t making the introductions. I am Norianna, but everybody calls me Nori. Em and I were in the same foster home when we were younger, and when she had this issue during puberty, she knew I could lend a hand. You are?

Rowen. Avatar of Autumn.

Nori stared. Well, you both smell sweaty, so I am guessing at what the bite interrupted.

Emery whipped her head up. No. I wouldn t. I was in a sauna, and I dozed off. I must have ogred out in my sleep and bit him in the chest.

Rowen shrugged. She isn t wrong. She relaxed and pitched forward. The puncture occurred a moment later.

Nori nodded. She must not have closed and activated the venom, which means this will make you immune to her bite in the future.

He frowned. I don t want that.

Emery whipped her face toward him. Don t be stupid.

He looked at her in surprise. I have been seeing you since I was a teenager. I am not going to give up on you. Or on us, rather.

She frowned. Now that I have been exposed to the council, I am not going to have long out and about.

Nori paused. You have been seen?

I have been observed. I killed my father, and Orla finished off the other two. She had to live with them; I didn t.

Nori blinked. Right. And since her family were technically in good standing with the council, there had to be witnesses to their end and to the fact that they were illegal non-humans.

Emery snorted. Like me.

Nori looked at her. You have special circumstances. You are a fucking star, for pity s sake.

Yeah, and the next time I am in a body, I will be known as the ogre-star. Delightful. Shit. Can you check him to see if he has been contaminated?

Nori snorted. I told you not to say it like that. It s a normal response, and the first time, it was defensive.

Emery hugged herself. Check him, please.

Rowen shrugged. I don t feel odd.

Nori sighed and got a magnifying glass. Can you show me the area in question?

He shrugged and pulled his shirt off. Nori s eyes widened. Whoa.

Emery stifled a flick of possessiveness. Nori, the mark?

Right. Nori used the magnifying glass and examined the bite. It s shallow and doesn t look like you activated your marker. Sir, do you want the antivenin as a preventive?

It will keep me from being identifiable to her as a partner?

Nori paused, and understanding dawned. Yes.

Then, no. Leave things as they are.

Emery jerked her head up. She had been staring at her feet. Rowen, take the meds.

He shook his head. No. I have spent my life knowing you were for me, and I am not going to miss my chance with something to block your effect on me.

Don t be stupid.

He laughed. That is possibly the most direct you have ever been.

She scowled. If that stuff activates, you will be miserable. Once it populates through your body, you will be locked.

He smiled. What if that is where I want to be?

Nori paused. I will take some swabs and double-check exposure. Rowen, you will have to keep your shirt off for a while. I will consider it payment for my time.

Emery huffed and flapped her arms in the air. I am going to find the cat.

* * * *

N ori sighed as she got the swabs ready. Yeah. She s upset. Really upset. She hasn t accidentally bitten someone for a decade, and that wasn t her fault.

What happened? A boyfriend?

Nori smiled at his jealous tone. Yeah, these two were going to collide and lock eventually. No. Well, it was a high school date-rape attempt. He forced her head down, and her teeth emerged. Guess where he got bit?

And she called for help?

Nori nodded. Of course. I had already been experimenting on her venom, so I was ready to work on things. It wasn t a very large issue if you get what I mean. Even with the swelling.

Was he a warlock?

No. Human. It brought him to the edge of death and of pulling his own dick off. It hit him hard, and she was terrified the same thing would happen to you.

He blinked as she started to clean the already-healing punctures. Why is she so scared?

Her parents adopted her, but when they knew what she was, they made sure she could successfully hide it. It was reenforced that ogres were hated and hunted, and the fear took hold. It must be a strange thing, knowing that your natural body is hated by folk you have never met. She capped the first sample and kept working.

I can t imagine. When did she find out she was a star?

She was little. Very little. I think she said she was able to express it when she was four or so.

Power as a toddler and hated as a teen. No wonder she s nervous.

She is but is also one of the sweetest, most supporting and most generous people I have ever met. She is a target for many but still puts herself between the vulnerable and danger. Every time. That s why you are here. She doesn t want you trapped because the scent of you triggered a mating reflex.

He jolted. Is that what that was?

You missed that part? Her teeth appear for defense or mating, and if she was asleep against you, she wasn t feeling defensive.

Rowen paused as she capped her last swab. I guess that is true.

Also, she flashed hot when you took your shirt off and I commented. So, she is definitely interested in you.

What do you mean flashed hot ?

The eclipse came to her eyes. She smiled. If you have seen her other form, you know about her eyes.

He smiled, and there was slow recognition in his eyes. Yes, I have seen it, and I want to see it again.

Then, go out to my back yard before my cat kills her. She is an aggressive hugger. Nori shooed him away.

Rowen grabbed his shirt, and she called out, Don t bother getting dressed on my account.

He laughed and went out back.

Nori did the test and sighed. No infection. Too bad. A successful bite would have sped things up.