Catching Stardust

by Heather Thurmeier

  “Sorry,” he said, meeting her gaze again. Her eyes had a quality about them that made it hard to look away, even when he knew how stunning the rest of her was. “I wasn’t watching where I was going. I was in my own world a little bit.”

  “I wish I was.” Her gaze left his and darted around the park as if she didn’t know where she was. And of course, she still looked annoyed too. Although now that he saw her up close, something about her didn’t convince him she was crazy like he’d suspected when he’d watched her through the telescope. She simply seemed—distracted somehow.

  “Is everything okay? Do you need help?” he asked. Maybe she was hurt, or lost. Maybe that’s why she’d appeared distraught.

  She tilted her head slightly, leveling him with her intense stare. “I’ve had enough unsolicited help tonight already, thanks. Just because I’m a girl it doesn’t mean I need another random guy taking charge of things for me.” Her hands went to her hips like a defiant teenager—a pose he was familiar with after working with the middle-schoolers in the astronomy club.

  “I was just being nice. I’m sure you’re perfectly capable of doing…whatever it was you were on your way to do.”

  Beautiful, maybe, but damn, that attitude. Was it really so strange to think he might actually be offering to help out of the goodness of his heart and not because he was trying to take control?

  “I’m on my way to Fifth to catch a taxi. So if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be on my way.” She brushed passed him.

  She did need his help, even if she didn’t want to admit it. “Well, you’ll be walking for a while if you keep going that way. And you’re unlikely to find a taxi.” He smiled, reassuringly. He didn’t want to upset her more, since he still couldn’t decide if she was or wasn’t all there mentally. “Last time I checked, there weren’t any taxis in the sheep meadow. But I’m sure you already knew that, didn’t you? You know, since you don’t need help from a man.” He feigned indifference with a shrug.

  The woman stopped walking and turned to face him, her annoyance clear. She scanned the area before settling on him, her shoulders slumping a little. “Okay, fine I need your help. Which way to Fifth?”

  He pointed to his left. “That way. But you’re going to have to follow the pathways. It’s easy to get lost and end up heading the wrong direction. I can walk you to the street if you want.”

  She looked him up and down and he suddenly wished he’d dressed better than his casual jeans and t-shirt. “How do I know you’re not a murderer or something?”

  He laughed. “I’m one of the chaperones helping a bunch of kids look at stars in the park. Do you think their parents would let a murderer take them into the park?”

  She studied the children for a moment before answering. “No, probably not. I guess it’s okay for you to walk me to the street.”

  “Ruby,” he called to the woman standing with the kids, trying to keep them all in a single-file line while they waited for their turn at the telescope. “I’ll be right back, okay?”

  “Don’t be long. I think they’re getting restless,” Ruby called back.

  “I’ll be quick.”

  “They might overtake me.”

  “Feed them cookies until I get back.” He couldn’t help but joke with the poor girl. She was new to the Stargazers Club and dealing with so many kids at one time was a bit overwhelming.

  “But it’s nighttime. Isn’t it bad to give them sugar after dark?”

  He began walking, calling over his shoulder. “They’re kids, not gremlins.”

  They strode through the park along the trail that would eventually lead them to the street. The woman beside him was quiet, but at least now she seemed a little calmer than she had before. She hadn’t yelled into the sky once yet. That had to be a good sign of improved mental health, right?

  “So, I know this isn’t my business or anything,” he started, “but are you okay? You seemed a little upset back there.”

  She grumbled something under her breath and he noticed her eyes flicker up toward the sky for a second. “You’re right, it’s not your business. And I’m…fine. Never been better.”

  “Sure. I can tell, what with that cheerful smile on your face and all. If you need more help than getting a taxi, I’m here. And not in a weird, creepy way. In a nice, ‘I feel bad for the upset girl’ kind of way.”

  She darted a glance at him out of the corner of her eye. “Thanks. I really shouldn’t be so rude. It’s just—” she sighed deeply, her shoulders rounding forward, “—it’s been a bad night and I really need some time to figure things out.”

  As they neared the edge of the park, the sounds of traffic and people grew louder, breaking into the tranquil peacefulness the tiny bit of green space offered from the hustle and bustle of the city. She walked quicker the closer they got and a touch of sadness filled his chest, creating a dull, warm ache.

  He’d known this girl all of ten minutes and suddenly he was sad to see her leave. What if he never saw her again? Why did it matter to him if he wouldn’t see her again? Sure she was beautiful, and intriguing, but so what? There were literally a million beautiful and intriguing women in this city. Why did this one matter so much?

  He caught her gaze again, but only for a fraction of a second. Still long enough to confirm his suspicions. This girl wasn’t crazy. She was simply a pretty girl having a really bad night. Maybe he could make it better.

  And as an added bonus, it would give him something to think about besides the stupid missing star, which shouldn’t be missing and should be investigated.

  “Listen.” He cleared his throat. This was so unlike him, but he was compelled by something greater than his usual inhibitions allowed. “I know we just met, but do you want to grab a cup of coffee later? Say in an hour or so?”

  She stepped off the curb and raised her arm to signal a taxi to stop. “I really can’t tonight.”

  “Another time?” he questioned, realizing too late he sounded a touch on the desperate side.

  “I won’t be here long enough for that.”

  “I understand.” He shook his head, trying to make himself believe it didn’t matter he’d never see her again, even though he knew perfectly well it wasn’t true.

  A taxi stopped next to the curb and he pulled the door open for her. She paused before getting inside, her hand gripping the top of the door as she peered over it, looking at him with the most stunning green eyes he’d ever seen. He couldn’t quite put his finger on why, but there was just something—different—about her eyes.

  Zander stepped back up onto the curb and out of the way as the car pulled into traffic. He stared after her until he couldn’t make out which car was hers in the sea of yellow taxis. A part of him wished he’d see the taxi swerve dramatically to the side of the road. That just maybe she’d climb out and come running back down the street toward him to give him her name and number so he’d have a hope of seeing her again in the future.

  Sissy, he scolded himself. He straightened his shoulders and walked back into the park.

  Chapter Two

  Maia leaned back against the cold, broken-in leather seat in the back of the cab. Orion she could handle, but these Earth guys? Not so much. Damn it to Hades, he was cute. Not Greek god cute, but she’d grown tired of that over the last eternity spent with nothing but chiseled celestial bodies.

  This guy was an earthy kind of handsome she hadn’t seen before, and she hadn’t detected even an ounce of arrogance—something currently running rampant with the men in the universe. No, this guy was nice, helpful, friendly and charming. His tussled, wind-blown hair wasn’t a bad touch either.

  He was perfectly delicious. If Earth had man-candy, he was it. And resisting a little sample of him sucked. Big time.

  If only she had time to sit back and fantasize about the places her mind wanted to take her—out to coffee with him, into his arms…maybe even into his bed. But of course, she didn’t have the luxury of time. Not this trip. No she had to get home and
stop Orion from ruining her life. Orion had done nothing in the eternity she’d known him besides chasing after her and her sisters. Enough already. It was time someone put him in his place once and for all.

  Maybe he needs to try Star Connections. Since he’d been trying relentlessly for—well, for all time, really—to successfully hook up with either herself or one of her sisters, without ever getting a date, maybe it was time he started looking somewhere else. Star Connections could set him up with a suitable mate—in a galaxy far, far away.

  Orion couldn’t go around hunting for women all the time. He was such a brute. No, he had to learn that if he wanted someone to love him, he had to treat women nicely. They weren’t living in the stone ages where it was socially acceptable to throw a woman over his shoulder and claim her as his own. He should have learned that the first time he tried it with her. Apparently a strategically placed hairpin to his right ass cheek wasn’t enough to leave a lasting impression the first time he pulled that little stunt.

  Orion had once again tried to stake his claim to her and Zeus had shipped her to Earth. But why this time? She’d been able to keep Orion under control every other time he tried this tactic. Why had Zeus taken it upon himself to send her here?

  She had to find out what was really going on, and there was only one way to do that.

  “Take me to the Sheraton in Times Square, please.”

  Just as her stomach started to feel queasy from the constant motion of the car and the overwhelming smell of the city, the taxi came to an abrupt stop and the driver pushed the button on his meter. Maia pulled a few bills from her wallet and passed them through the hole in the window separating the front seat from the back.

  She walked the front desk of the hotel. “Can I help you?” the concierge asked.

  “Yes, I’d like a room.”

  “Do you have a reservation?”

  “No. This was a spontaneous trip.”

  He shook his head and looked at her apologetically. “I’m sorry Miss, but without a reservation, I have nothing available.”

  Now what? Her family had stayed at the hotel before so she was in the database already and didn’t have to try and remember all the fake information she usually provided for name and address. If she went to another hotel, she’d have to answer all their questions. What if she gave them the wrong information?

  She’d been to the city a few times for trips with her sisters and friends and they always stayed at one of a few choice hotels. It was like that in every city they visited on Earth. Life was simpler when they didn’t have to worry about being somewhere new with personal details that weren’t quite up to being scrutinized. That’s why they always stayed in the same hotels—the ones with the secret in-house intergalactic security system installed to make sure nothing on their file was ever flagged as suspicious.

  Maia left the hotel and wandered through the crowds of people looking at the lights of Times Square. She couldn’t remember the other hotels with her information already in the security system. She’d have to pick another hotel at random and hope she could remember all of her personal details. Wandering aimlessly for a while, she finally spotted a red hotel awning with golden script lettering, beckoning her. Maybe they would have a room available.

  Her stomach rolled at the prospect of staying somewhere new and unfamiliar—and off the security grid. She pulled open the door and strode to the front counter with her head held high like any other patron would.

  “Good evening, Miss. What can I do for you tonight?”

  “I don’t have a reservation, but I was hoping you’d have some availability.”

  “Certainly, let me have a look in the system to see if we have anything for you. How many days will you be staying?”

  She paused a moment, thinking. If she could get through to her father or Zeus, she shouldn’t be here long. Of course it could be a few days if there was some kind of delay in getting her home. Probably booking a longer stay would be a safer bet, just in case. She really didn’t want to find herself without a room again in a day or two.

  “I’m not entirely sure, but it could be a few days or maybe even as much as a week.”

  The concierge clicked around on his computer for a few minutes. He scrunched up his nose. He tapped his bottom lip with his finger as he peered at her as though something was terribly wrong. “I’m afraid I only have suites available for an entire week. Everything else I have is completely booked solid for the next few weeks.”

  A suite, huh? I’m sure Orion won’t mind paying my credit card bill since he’s the reason I’m here to begin with.

  “That sounds perfect. I’d like a corner suite with a view, please. And one with a whirlpool tub if you have it,” she added quickly. A nice, long soak in a bubbling tub was exactly what she needed while she waited to be teleported back home.

  “Absolutely. I have an executive suite available with a lovely view of the city.”

  She smiled sweetly and laughed inside. Orion would choke when she handed him her bill, but it was his own fault.

  “I’ll need to put a credit card on file for the bill and any incidentals. I’ll also need a little information from you.”

  She pulled her credit card from her wallet. It looked like any other credit card except for the cluster of seven stars in the right-hand corner above the Visa logo.

  Visa really is accepted everywhere. Even Pleiades.

  She swallowed, her throat tight with nervousness as she answered his questions about her address and phone number, giving the information as best as she could remember it. She must have been right because a moment later the concierge slid her credit card and a room key card across the desk.

  She said a quick thank you and wandered off in the direction of the elevators, hoping for as little conversation with him as possible. She had the uncanny ability to say something suspicious almost every time she was on Earth. For some reason, she couldn’t seem to keep her thoughts to herself.

  Maia let herself into her room and dropped her bag on the dresser set against one wall. She immediately went to the phone beside the bed and dialed room service. First food, then kicking Zeus’s ass to bring her home, then a bath to wash off the stink of the city.

  Maia didn’t even glance at the menu. She knew exactly what she wanted. The same thing she always ordered when she stayed on Earth since she couldn’t get it back home where everyone was vegetarian—a big, juicy burger. With cheese and bacon.

  Every time she ate a burger, she couldn’t figure out why the people of Pleiades didn’t just teleport a few cows to their planet so they could eat burgers once in a while. Zeus always said something smarty-pants-ish about the molecular make-up of beef.

  She liked burgers. She didn’t care about their molecules other than how they tasted grilled and smothered in barbeque sauce.

  Speaking of Zeus, it was time for him to answer a few questions. Namely, why the hell had she been sent to Earth. Whatever Orion wanted from her, it couldn’t have been that bad. Now Zeus needed to bring her back so she could deal with whatever it was. She was stronger than Zeus thought. All he had to do was look at her past with Orion and see how many times she’d pushed him away already. There was no reason to think she couldn’t do it again.

  She gazed longingly at the whirlpool tub in the bathroom, but she had absolutely no chance of relaxing until she’d dealt with Zeus. Sighing, she dialed the code for the operator who could put her through to Zeus or her father, Atlas. Either one of them should have some information for her and be able to arrange for her to get home.

  She waited patiently as the phone rang a few times. Odd. The operator usually picked up on the first ring. Finally, on the fourth ring she heard the other end of the line click. She started to speak but was interrupted.

  “Thank you for calling Galactic Communications, your connection to the universe and beyond. We are currently experiencing a problem with the line from Earth. Your call is important to us. The Galactic Tele-technicians are actively trying t
o rectify the situation as quickly as possible. Please try back again later. Have a stellar day!”

  The phone line went dead.

  ***

  Zander scribbled a few more notes on the paper he’d brought up to his rooftop. After finishing with the Stargazers Club at the park, he couldn’t get the idea of a missing star out of his head. He’d tried resisting the lure of his own private telescope on his rooftop access, but after some TV and attempting to sleep, he still couldn’t shake the notion that there was something going on in the sky tonight.

  He didn’t want to find out what it was. He had to find out what it was.

  Ignoring something like a possible missing star went against his very DNA. Investigating this phenomenon or anomaly was the only way to get any peace. And at some point he needed to get some sleep so he wouldn’t be a total zombie tomorrow for his guest lecture.

  So really, pursuing this interesting star—whatever it turned out to be—was the only choice he had.

  Zander skimmed the notes he’d scribbled for the last hour. The numbers and words swirled like chicken scratch on the page. He slipped his fingers under his glasses to massage his eyes, which now felt as if they were coated in a layer of sandpaper. Nothing had changed since they’d first noticed the missing star in the park. He had to face facts—the Maia star of the constellation Pleiades was gone.

  Now he needed to figure out where the hell it went. Had it suddenly burned out after millions of years in the sky? Was it hidden by something else he couldn’t yet see?

  He flopped back onto the padded outdoor furniture and pulled his cell phone from his pocket. Dialing his brother’s number, he stifled a yawn. What time was it anyway?

  “Hello?” grumbled a sleepy voice on the other end of the line.

  Must be later than he thought. Zander peeked at his watch. Midnight. Shit. His brother would be pissed, but it was too late to hang up now.