Page 8 of Starfall

Emery looked at him. “You can put your shirt on.”

He smiled. “You sure?”

“Yes. Archimedes, get off.”

The cat opened his eyes a slit and settled back.

“Baby boy, I have to go.”

Rowen said, “She needs to leave with me.”

Nori shouted, “No!” as Emery grabbed for the tails as the huge cat tackled Rowen and tried to get him into a position to crush his skull with his enormous fangs.

Rowen was surprisingly calm. He got his hand under Archimedes’ jaw and pushed back. Emery watched as he slowly grew his horns, and his neck had thickened to support them.

Rowen got to his feet and looked at Archimedes. “Stop. She is not leaving town.”

The big cat shuddered and took the shape of an adult. “You said she was leaving with you.”

“She is, but only for today.”

“I hear the decrees. No ogres in town. She’s an ogre.”

“Decrees can be changed. So, did they know you could shift?”

Archimedes snorted. “No. Why?”

Emery stared at him. “Because you are taller than I remember. You can turn your tails off?”

“Of course.”

“Why did you let me cuddle you all those times?”

He looked at her as if she wasn’t bright. “Because you smell good.”

Rowen went around him and wrapped his arms around Emery. “She does, but you can’t have her.”

Archimedes growled. “She’s ours.”

Rowen was surprised. “Ours?”

“The beasts, the shifters, the changelings. She is ours. She takes care of us, feeds us, shelters us. She guards us, so she is not leaving. We will tear this town to the ground if you try and make her leave.” He leaned forward and growled.

Nori blinked. “Archimedes?”

“Please call me Archie.”

“Can I get you some pants?”

“Do I need them?” Archie frowned. “You run around the house naked.”

“When there are guests, clothing is standard.”

“I will return to my natural form then.” He disappeared into fur and lashing tails.

Emery blinked. “Did he just...”

Rowen chuckled. “He did.”