Chapter 8
2160 Words
8As they left her house, Topper sighed in resignation. There was no use putting off what she didn’t really want to do, but neither she nor Stark had any idea where to start. The town was full of shifters. All the witches owned familiars of some sort. What else was she supposed to do?
“No matter how much I wish I could put it off, I need to go check on Alfred,” she announced.
“The person the sheriff mentioned?” Stark asked.
“Yes,” Topper replied. “And someone I recently disappointed. We had dinner and… it didn’t turn into more. Alfred didn’t take it well.”
Stark nodded. “I know how that feels. I’ve had to turn some females away because they just didn’t appeal to me—some because they were mated. Those who left unsatisfied did not speak well of me.”
Topper snickered. “I’m sure the ones who got to stay more than made up for that with their glowing reviews.”
Stark shrugged. “I never thought about it. Some left before I woke. No one complained. Occasionally, one returned hoping I was ready for a mate again. I made no promises because I had no intentions of keeping any of them. They knew when they stayed that what I offered was only temporary.”
“Gee… am I supposed to feel sorry for you because all those women wanted you?” Topper demanded, laughing at his sad tone.
“No,” Stark said, turning his head to her. “But after last night, I suddenly understand why I withheld my true self from them.”
Topper laughed. “Stop—okay? I already confessed to wanting a repeat. You don’t have to work so hard to flatter me.”
Stark grabbed her arm to stop her from walking. “Do you not recall what I said to you our first time? The crystals danced on your skin for me. You are my chosen one.”
Topper pulled free and started walking again. “Crystals? I’d call you crazy, but being a witch, I have no right. I guess you being an alien explains well enough why I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Before Stark could say more, twin flashes of red ran across the path in front of them.
“Look—it’s the jaguar’s dogs. Get them!” Topper exclaimed.
She started running after them, only to see Stark pass her as his long legs raced ahead. He was like some sleek animal himself, all muscle and speed, and exhibiting a strength she found astounding. She slowed to a walk after a minute, promising herself she was going to start using that freaking treadmill Lacey had given her when she’d turned fifty. Apparently, the occasional safari or white water river rafting jaunt hadn’t helped her stay in great physical health.
Between Alfred’s house and his neighbor’s, there was an alleyway. She caught up with Stark there. He had both of the giant mastiffs gripped behind their necks and dangling in front of him. Those dogs had to weigh over a hundred fifty pounds each, yet Stark held them like they were mere puppies. How freaking strong was he? No wonder she was sore all over.
“Wow. You got them,” Topper said, unable to stop herself from stating the obvious.
Stark chuckled. “They were a lot easier to catch than the thetta bears on Glacier, and are much lighter to carry. Look on their stomachs. Do you see a dakkari attached there? I can’t let go to check properly.”
Stark lifted them high and dangled both whimpering dogs in front of her. Topper dipped her head slightly and searched their undersides. Sure enough, there was a good size dakkari attached to each animal. All four limbs and most of the face was now buried beneath the fur and not visible anymore.
Topper turned away and stepped back, covering her mouth to give herself a moment. She took a couple deep breaths to fight her stomach’s reaction, then turned back to Stark.
“Sorry. I got a bit queasy there for a second. Normally, I zap things that make me feel like this. They’re there. Did we get to the dogs in time to save them?”
Stark lowered one dog to the ground while lifting the other. He turned it toward him as best he could. He studied what was left visible of the dakkari.
“We might be able to save the host creature, but there will be some damage to the animal after we disconnect them. The level of damage depends on how deeply the dakkari has gone into the creature’s vital organs.”
Topper winced at the grossness, but nodded. “Okay. More than I ever wanted to know, but I guess that can’t be helped. So the beeberg must be nearby, right?”
Stark tightened his grip on both animals, looked around, and nodded. “Yes. We need someplace to secure these two. If possible, we need to keep them nearby so the beeberg doesn’t get concerned. She will know if we take them too far away.”
Topper held up a finger. “Hold that thought. I’ll be right back.”
She transported herself and landed with a flash in front of Theo’s desk. Purple sparks of magic flooded the air and had both her and Theo coughing.
“I’m nervous. Sorry, Theo,” Topper said in apology, waving a hand.
“Damn it, Topper. One day you’re going to scare me into roasting you.”
She wanted to laugh at Theo’s complaining, but there was no time. “Call Malcolm and tell him to bring the containment van to the alleyway next to Alfred’s house.”
Theo’s brow wrinkled. “You mean the one we had made to hold first time shifters?”
“Yes—that one,” Topper confirmed with a nod. “We found both dogs and two of the missing dakkari are on them. We still have to look for the beeberg. Stark says we need to keep the dogs close at hand until we find her.”
“Okay. I’m on it,” Theo said, picking up the phone.
Topper lifted a hand and when she lowered it, she was back in front of Stark. “A containment van will be here in two minutes. Can you hold them that long?”
Stark’s eyes twinkled. “Yes. They will not struggle much because they know it could mean their death. I am what on your planet would be called an apex predator—probably the highest form here outside of Frost. I imagine that is the reason your dragon sheriff has been so concerned about me, though I understand he was merely acting on instinct. I’m sure Theo is used to being the top species here in his dragon form.”
Topper blinked, stunned by Stark’s comment. There was no doubting he was different from most human males, but after sleeping with him, she had forgotten he was an alien.
She watched him holding the massive dogs like it was no big deal to do so. She would have had to use her magic. So far Stark hadn’t had to do anything outside of what seemed everyday ordinary for him.
“Humans are the top species on Earth,” she declared firmly, crossing her arms as Stark smirked and turned away to hide his amusement. “Don’t give me that condescending look, Stark. I meant what I said. Dragons are not the top species here. Theo just thinks he’s hot s**t. That doesn’t mean he actually is.”
Stark chuckled, grinning at Topper’s crossed arms. “I see self-delusion is another planetary trait Glacierans share with Earthlings.”
His knowing smile made her stomach flutter. Snorting, Topper put a hand over her midsection and rubbed. “I can’t believe you think you’re an apex predator. Next thing I know, you’ll be telling me that your people are superior to mine in every way.”
His full out laughter made her frown. Was the arrogant alien laughing at her or with her? She couldn’t tell. She didn’t like it either way.
“You seriously can’t think that, Stark. I was joking, damn it.”
Still laughing at the witch’s irritation over his honesty about the rest of her planet’s inhabitants, Stark turned when he heard a rolling transport approaching. What more proof could he offer Topper? Earth didn’t even have levitating transports yet.
The slow-moving metal box pulled forward and then backed into the path where he stood. The dragon sheriff popped out of one side opening. A stranger popped out of the other and came to open the back of what appeared to be the containment area Topper had ordered. Stark shook his head. The vehicle no doubt ran on fossil fuels too.
After showing the sheriff and the other male the attached dakkari on the dogs, Stark loaded both abducted animals into the containment unit. When he turned back, Topper was still standing with crossed arms. And she was still glaring at him.
Stark’s amused gaze dropped to focus on the ground while he rapidly thought of something he could say without making his situation worse.
It wasn’t that Glacierans were superior… not really. It was that Earthlings were not yet completely evolved. It was like comparing a small child to a full grown adult. There was no fair way to do it.
But this was obviously a time for careful politics instead of scientific truth. This sort of thing was precisely why he wasn’t working in Polar’s position. He sucked at interplanetary diplomacy.
“What my planet has always believed about your planet has not previously taken witches, dragons, or other shifters into account. So the term superior cannot apply to any discussion we might have. However, when comparing average beings on my planet to average beings on Earth, such as those without any special powers, then it is only truthful to say Glacierans are more advanced.”
Topper glared. “And just how in the name of the Fates are Glacierans more advanced? Other than living longer and getting to look like kids when they’re really irritating, snooty old men?”
Choosing to ignore her insults, Stark thought for a moment. “Some of us have powers similar to yours… with the exception of magical transportation. Others are advanced healers, excellent builders, or artists whose creations move you to weep at their beauty.”
“Fine. Can any of your advanced beings open a damn space portal?” Topper demanded.
Stark grinned at her tone. “No. No, they cannot. I concede the portal does make me question the validity of my argument.”
“Because there is no valid argument in your words,” Topper declared. “This is exactly why I reacted the way I did when we first met. Arrogance is like your default setting. I can’t believe I forgot that about you.”
Topper waved her hands angrily, wishing she had the power to do something to him in retribution. When Theo and Malcolm called out her name and ducked, laughter over her actions caught up with her. She glared at Stark harder than ever.
“See what you do? Now I’m scaring my people because your alien arrogance makes me so mad. A witch with my power can’t go around losing her temper.”
Stark snorted. “I really do understand, Topper. Your Earthling self-righteousness about your people being the most valuable beings in the Goddess blessed galaxy is what compels me to correct you. Surely a powerful witch like you can handle the truth.”
Topper growled at his smirk and his tone. Was that really her making that animalistic sound?
“I am far more than human. I am a seventeenth generation hereditary witch, you hard-headed alien. Gaia, the Goddess of my planet, grants me her power to protect those you consider your inferiors. Just because my magic doesn’t work on you for some reason doesn’t mean you can say whatever you like to me. There are more than fifty other witches living in Magic. Any one of them would be more than happy to turn you into whatever creature I think might teach you a lesson in Earth-bound humility.”
Theo’s near ear-shattering whistle drew both their attentions back to him.
“Before you two make each other mad enough for Topper to blow up the whole town proving herself, how about we all go back to finding the last green meanie that’s still missing?”
Topper glared at Stark while she nodded. “Theo’s right, but I’m checking on Alfred first since we’re right here by his house. You men can figure out what kind of canvassing we need in the area to find the beeberg.”
Stark watched Topper stalk away. She was still angry at him. Perhaps he’d gone a bit far in indulging his amusement over her quick defense of her planet. When he heard the sheriff sigh beside him, Stark turned.
“You don’t really think you’re superior to us, do you, Stark?” Theo asked. “I didn’t chime in because I figured you were just messing with Topper. But you made her spitting mad and that’s not easy to do. Topper is usually a very even tempered person. I hate to tell you this, but you probably just blew any chance you had with her liking you—if your alien man stick was still pointing her direction.”
Stark chuckled. Alien man stick. He was going to have to remember that one too. He wondered if Frost’s anatomy had gotten a similar description. And yes. His alien man stick would always be pointing Topper’s way, no matter how much they argued.
“Topper was sickened by the dakkari. I merely meant to distract her from the unpleasantness of the situation. Her passionate reaction to such a minor disagreement was surprising.”
Theo laughed. “I’ve known that woman nearly all my life. The only time Topper ever gets mad like that is when government officials get nosy and show up in Magic. I’ve never seen her react to anyone the way she reacts to you. You seem to know exactly how to push all her hot buttons.”
Stark bowed his head as he smiled. “Thank you. That is high praise.”
Theo laughed. It took him a full minute to stop. “Dude… that was a warning.”
“Then consider it noted, Sheriff,” Stark said, bowing his head. “Now tell me about the residents nearby. Any of them have animals?”
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