Page 36 of Dirty December

Love and a lifetime partner. A passion to follow. That’s what really matters.

Yeah, that’s right. That’s what I said. That’s what I meant.

“You’re right, Cindy. You’re totally right. I’ve got the person I love most in this world, and we’re getting married—and we have the money to make this place shine. We have the friends to help us. Oh, gosh. I’m going to start crying!”

I swallow a sigh and laugh instead as Claire hugs me and cries a couple of happy tears on my shoulder. I pat her back and roll my eyes heavenward.

No, not because this is a Hallmark moment.

Because I’m mad at myself.

Dang, I can dish out advice, but I sure as hell never learned how to take it.

Possessed By the Leonid King

Felix Orbus Galaxy

Book One

Chapter One

“Felids shouldn’t have been using them for food. They have far more value.”

Rupex turned to face Marcus, a scrawny specimen of a Leonid with a scraggly, graying mane and slender paws more accustomed to manipulating data than the firing mechanisms on starcrafts or assault weapons.

“Only the poorest prides on the extreme outer rims eat humans. That’s primitive nonsense. Probably just rumors.” Rupex paced with a sickened sneer, his long tawny tail tapping on the floor of his craft as it swished between his black boots. Humans. Too stupid to negotiate with their betters properly. Selling themselves into contracts that spoke of “whatever service deemed necessary.” Ha. Some Felids deemed a meal a necessary service of their employees.

“I’ve heard plenty of prides on the outer fringes do it. But if my data is correct—and it usually is—human females can be far more beneficial to our species as mates rather than meals.” Marcus hurried forward, personal computing device outstretched. “Look. One minor chromosome booster deliveredin the female’s heat cycle makes human eggs compatible with Leonid sperm.”

Rupex paused in his pacing. A ripple of disgust ran down his spine, forcing his thick yellow-brown fur to a constricted stand under his protective black suit. “What... whatsicknessmade you consider such an experiment?” Rupex demanded, his voice slick and threatening, a snarl in every word.

Marcus met his eyes over thick spectacles perched on his graying muzzle. “You know very well what sickness, Ru.”

Rupex took a step back, eyes wide.

No one liked to talk about the Queen Fever.

SIX YEARS AGO...

Marcus spoke to Rupex and the rest of the crew, ten Queens and three Knights. Ru, as commander of the ship, was considered the King of the pride, at least until they docked and disbanded.

“I do not recommend we resupply at Tigerite-Three, sir. There are rumors of a contagious infection that doesn’t respond to any treatment.”

“This Queen flu? Males are immune, is that correct?”

“No, sir, it isn’t that males are immune.” Marcus’ voice was suddenly thin and tight. “It’s that males don’t die. They get the fever, but it seems to pass harmlessly within a few days.”

“Then why would it impact a female differently?” Silvia demanded, striding forward, her black uniform highlighting the magenta waves of fur that trailed down her neck. “That makes no sense.”

“It could have something to do with the females’ heat cycles. Males don’t have them. When a female is in her heat—”

“Enough of the school cub lectures, Marcus!” Rupex quickly shut his medical officer down. “We need supplies. Only males will go on-world and get what we need. We’ll be in and out of port in a day. Queens, males will quarantine on A-Deck. You will assign yourselves to rooms on B-Deck. There will be no fraternizing for the entire heat cycle, just to be on the safe side.”

PRESENT

Rupex sat in his captain’s chair and looked out at the sprinkled black and purple vista ahead of him.

Marcus had been right. Queen Fever did have something to do with heat cycles. And it was incredibly contagious. They’d soon realized there was only one option to prevent death once a Queen caught it—an immediate removal of her reproductive organs to stop the heat cycle that seemed to turn the fever into a lethal illness. Sometimes it was already too late. If her hormone levels had started to build, nothing could be done. Even injections of male hormones and prophylactic pills didn’t fool the virus.

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