Page 50 of Shattered Magic

“Great.” Gen opened her car door, grabbed a canister, and popped the sphere into it. “I have to call around to see if I can find a home for this twit. I am going back to bed.”

Asta nodded. “Excellent idea.”

Eon looked at her. “Are you okay?”

“I am. I feel fine. A few aches and pains, but no blood, so that is something.” She smiled. “Thanks for answering when I called.”

“Thanks for calling me back.”

They hugged and parted. Eon hesitated and then said, “Call me if you need anything.”

“I will.”

“Do you want to go for pancakes?”

“No.” Asta laughed. “But thanks, sis.”

Asta hugged her younger sister again and got into her vehicle to drive home.

Walking into her house, everything was tidy, and she knew she was alone. She felt a pang of loneliness but went to her pantry and got a packet of cookies. Losing one’s virginity felt like it called for a high-calorie snack as a reward or consolation.

She wandered into her bedroom and flicked on the light. Her bed was made. Clean sheets had been put on, and there was a note on the pillow.

Asta walked to the head of the bed and picked up the note. Call me for anything, any time. And his number followed.

She picked up her phone and put the number in. He had met her at the restaurant, so an exchange of numbers hadn’t been necessary.

Sadly, she wouldn’t need to call him. She almost wished she would, but nothing ever happened that required an assist.

Her life was usually very boring.

* * * *

Hari woke up to gentle kisses and stroking hands. Dawn hadn’t arrived yet, but Zerul was nuzzling at her neck, and the dream shifted to reality with startling ease. She murmured sleepily, “Oh, hi.”

He chuckled. “Hi.”

“So, you are wanting to try this in person?” She wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Oh, yes. How do you feel about it?”

She slid her leg against his. “Pretty good so far.”

He grinned. “Good. May I continue?”

“Oh, sure.”

“Thank you.” He kissed her until she clutched at him, sliding her hands into his hair. It was awkward to get around his horns, but she managed to flex her fingers against his scalp with the silk of his hair around them.

She tried to match him with every move he made, but just as she caught up, he moved on. Hari softly whined as he broke off, moving down to kiss and nip at her neck with his extremely sharp teeth.

The sharp blades were carefully wielded as he moved to lie with his head between her breasts, and a steady snuffling came to her ears. “What are you doing?”

“Memorizing you. There are no scents in the dream realm.”

“Oh, can that wait?” Hari muttered.

He chuckled with his nose pressed against her sternum. “No.”