Page 6 of Starfall

“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 meanflashed 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.