Reading Online Novel

Star's Storm(6)



“I trust you ladies to stay and watch over my mate until I can return,” Jazin said. “I am needed in a meeting. Armet will stay outside the rooms if you should need anything.”

Armet looked startled for a moment before he nodded. He had grown attached to the little female who had taken over the Third House of Kassis, also known as the West House. He had to admit it was much easier to maintain since she had come. He would have never complained but he and several of the warriors under his command had their hands full at times dealing with the females who used to live in the West House. Those remaining now were either mated, children, or older couples. The little female often visited each of the families to see how they were doing and if they needed anything. He was also fascinated by some of the things that she could do. He had never seen anyone move the way she did in the training room and some of the things she created were not only innovative but useful.

“I will return as soon as possible,” Jazin was saying.

He gave a sharp look to Armet. Armet nodded to show he was aware of the unspoken command; protect all three females with his life. Armet spoke quietly into his comlink and moved to stand by the door as Jazin cast one last, longing look at the door leading to the room where his mate slept.

“Protect them,” Jazin muttered under his breath as he walked out the door.

“With my life, my lord,” Armet said with a glitter of pride and respect in his eyes. “With my life.”

*.*.*

Star woke up in stages. The first stage, she became aware that there was light filtering into the room. The second stage, she became aware of the soft sound of voices murmuring beside her. The last stage and the most important one was she became aware that she didn’t hurt…. anywhere. She flexed her toes back and forth before moving her legs. When she still didn’t feel any pain, she moved her fingers before turning her head toward the voices and opening her eyes.

Twin sets of eyes, one an unusual dark blue and the other a set of light blue like her own, stared at her with worry and love gleaming from them. Star slowly smiled before she whispered in a husky voice.

“Hi,” she murmured.

River grinned back. Jo opened her mouth, closed it, and promptly burst into tears. Star’s eyes widened as she watched her older sister’s shoulders shake as she cried. River was pressing a small towel into Jo’s hands and hugging her.

“Is she hurt?” Star asked, her voice raspy from being dry.

She struggled to sit up so she could comfort her big sister and was surprised that it wasn’t that easy to do. She finally made it into an upright position, balancing herself on her arms until her head stopped spinning.

“Wow!” Star muttered, raising a trembling hand to her head. “Head rush.”

“You dope! You shouldn’t be sitting up yet,” Jo bit out between hiccupping sobs. “You were dead almost twenty-four hours ago. You shouldn’t even be…. be…. be able to sit up.”

“Water?” Star asked with a grimace, rubbing her throat.

River reached over and picked up a small cup of water that was on the table next to the bed. She held the cup while Star took several small sips from it before she set it back down on the table. Jo’s sobs slowly became quieter until she was just drawing in deep, calming breaths. Jo wiped at her reddened cheeks with the soft cloth that was clutched in her fist in aggravation.

When she felt like she finally had a small semblance of control back, she glared at her little sister. “Don’t you ever scare me like that again!” Jo snapped out, wiping at her still damp cheeks.

Star chuckled as she weakly collapsed back against the pillows. “It’s not like I planned to get hurt,” she said. “Jazin?” She asked fearfully.

“He’s safe,” River assured her with a smile.

“What happened?” Star asked looking back and forth between River and Jo. “Was anyone else hurt?”

River bit her lip and looked at Jo who nodded. “Yes,” River began quietly. “Eighteen people were killed in the banquet room. Most were women on the stage and several of the men who were sitting close to it. Thirty men who attacked us were killed. Javonna was working with them. She is dead, as well,” she said quietly.

“What about the councilman? Tai Tek?” Star asked, playing with the covers nervously.

Jo shook her head. “He escaped,” she said, her lips pressed into a tight line of frustration. “If I ever get my hands on that bastard, I’m going to barbeque his ass over an open flame.”

Star laughed at Jo’s fierce scowl. “Was anyone else hurt? Ajaska? Manota? Torak?” She asked biting her lower lip in concern.