Page 30 of Craving Stardust

I grabbed a big tool, though it wasn’t much of a weapon, then scaled the stairs to reach the inside of the ship. With a fully charged laser pistol in hand, I returned to the floor of the barn.

She’d cracked open the door and slipped outside. I stalked over and pressed myself against the panel, prepared to burst out and defend my mate.

“Ah, there you are, Iris,” a female said in a cheerful voice. I lowered my weapon, though I still remained ready to fire. “I was worried about you. I saw your sign up in the bookstore and didn’t know if you were sick or what was going on.”

“Tessa,” Iris said with relief, making me remove my finger from the trigger of my weapon. “It’s nice of you to stop by.” I heard the shake in her voice. Did Tessa?

“I brought these.”

My rocketing pulse eased even more. This was a friend.

It had stopped raining, and the sun was trying to poke beams of lights through the clouds. A few stabbed the ground around Iris and a dark-skinned woman.

Through the crack in the door, I watched the female with black, tightly braided hair hand a package to Iris. “Chocolate chip muffins. Plus some chicken soup. I assumed you must be sick. You didn’t come to the party and then you didn’t you’re your bookstore. These’ll cure anything.”

“Thank you so much. I’m sorry you were worried. I should’ve given you a call to let you know that I’m doing much better.” Iris took the package, stepping forward to give Tessa a hug. “I’m fine now. I was just feeling... under the weather.”

“I’m glad you’re feeling okay now. When you’re a single lady, it’s important to take care of yourself. No one else will, my mother always said.” Tessa’s sharp gaze shot to the barn, and I eased away from the crack. Had she seen me? “Are you sure you’re fine? Nothing and... no one is harming you? You can tell me anything and I mean anything.”

Iris forced a laugh. “What do you mean? There’s no one here but you and me.”

“You can tell me if you need help.” The older woman’s chin lifted, and her dark gaze went flinty. “I may not look strong, but I’ve built muscles kneading bread and hauling bags of flour and sugar around. I’ll defend you.”

“From what? Look, I’m okay.” Iris rubbed Tessa’s arm. “Do I appear harmed in any way?”

Tessa leaned close to Iris, studying her face. “You look tired, but I suppose that could be from being sick earlier in the week.”

“I’m perfectly safe. No issues at all.”

“Tell me then.” Her gaze falling on the barn, Tessa huffed. “What do you plan to do about the alien hiding behind the barn door?”

THIRTEEN

Iris

Panic shot through me as I gaped at Tessa. “What are you talking about?”

“Is the alien hurting you?” Tessa placed her palm on my shoulder, gripping tight. I sensed she’d grab me and yank me away if I didn’t reassure her. “Has he put a spell on you?”

“Isn’t it wizards who cast spells, not aliens?”

Tessa’s voice dropped to a whisper. “Say the word, and we’ll run. I’ve got a knife in the back waistband of my pants. It’s sharp and I know how to use it. If he comes after us, I’ll gut him. This I swear.”

Jeez. Wow.

“There’s no alien here.” I had to get her out of here. I couldn’t endanger my friend.

“I saw him watching us from the barn. Really, let’s go. I parked my car at the end of the driveway just in case. His spell won’t be able to reach you once we’re away from this area.” She latched onto my arm and tried to drag me away, but I dug in my heels. “We’ll beat it out of here to safety, and whatever spell he’s cast on you will fade. I promise, you’ll be safe.”

“Stop.” I huffed and tugged my arm out of her grasp. “Tessa, stop. There’s no alien here.” I suspected I could protest for the next hour, and she wouldn’t believe me. A sigh bled from me. “Can’t you just leave. Please?”

Her flinty gaze met mine. “I’m your friend, and I’m not leaving you here with him.” She pulled her knife, a big brutal thing as long as my forearm. How had she walked with that thing sticking down the back of her pants? “I mean it. Come with me now, Iris.”

“No.” I said it firmly. She knew me well enough to know I meant it. “He’s not hurting me. Please, Tessa. Leave. Go back to town and don’t tell anyone about this. Leave us alone.”

Tessa socked her fist onto her hip, brandishing the knife in the other hand. “Don’t give me that.” Her head jerked back, and her voice lifted. “Alien? Come out now. I’m going to decide for myself if you’re hurting my friend. Don’t try any fast stuff. I’ve got a blade and I know how to use it.” She slashed her knife through the air so fast it whistled. “If I think you’re hurting her, I’m going to make sure you live with regret until your dying day.” She frowned at me. “Is he big and purple, with six arms and antennae bobbing around on his head?”

She’d storm the barn with her knife, and who knows what might happen then.

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