The Girl Who Called The Stars

by Heather Hildenbrand

  “Should I?” I shot back.

  “It’s Xander,” he said, frowning. “I know it’s been a while, but how do you not—”

  Eamon, the wolf, said something in a language I didn’t understand. My head spun just hearing it speak again. Didn’t matter I had no idea what he was saying.

  “This is crazy,” I muttered to no one in particular.

  Xander’s eyes flashed in impatience. “Fine,” he told Xander. He turned to me and said, “Let’s go. It’s not safe here.”

  Then he took a step in the opposite direction of the canyon.

  I didn’t move. “Whoa. I am not going anywhere with anyone. Tell you what. How about you guys go that way and I’ll go anyplace else?”

  Broody, or Xander, raised his brows like I’d just issued some sort of death wish. “This is not how I expected tonight to go,” he muttered.

  I crossed my arms. “You and me both, buddy.”

  Xander opened his mouth, probably to argue some more, but Eamon cut him off. “Your highness,” he said to me in a gravelly voice that could have easily passed for a growl—except it was words. “I can’t believe it’s really you. Our apologies for not explaining, but we assumed you would recognize us.”

  The voice was rough and aged—and impossible. I could hear the utter relief in his tone, but mostly, my brain was still trying to catch up to the fact that the animal had actually spoken real words. To me. On this planet.

  “Y-you speak English,” I managed to say.

  “I can speak hundreds of languages as gifted to my people by the goddess Eloisha at the dawn of your family’s rule.” He raised his head again and then cocked it, studying me like I was the one with issues.

  Maybe I was. Maybe I’d hit my head and—

  “You don’t know who we are, do you?” he asked, still watching me like I was some sort of puzzle to be solved which made zero sense since he was the miracle-creature in this equation.

  I shook my head. “Should I?”

  The wolf sighed—or growled; I wasn’t sure since they seemed to be the same sound. “Forgive us for frightening you. I would have killed the Shadow sooner, but I had to wait until you’d used your power so I knew it was you. The second one…” he trailed off, glancing at Xander. “The second one was a surprise,” he finished.

  Xander scowled. “I handled it.”

  Eamon looked back at me. “Are you all right?”

  A zillion thoughts screamed at me for attention. I tried to wrap my head around the fact that the wolf was actually worrying about me. Then there was the fact that he’d called me “your highness” which was true but also dangerous to admit.

  “I don’t know,” I said.

  “You don’t know?” Xander’s brow shot up.

  I shrugged. “I’m having a hard time knowing anything right now. Everything constant in my life just changed.”

  Eamon nodded as if I had just said something very wise instead of very snarky. “The only thing constant in life is change.”

  I couldn’t argue with that. The question was whether or not the change was good.

  Chapter Three

  Until I knew more, I wanted to be cautious like Peter would, but impatience won out. “Okay, who are you? And how can you talk? And how did you—”

  “I will answer all of your questions.” Eamon glanced around at the otherwise-quiet copse of trees. “Although it would be best if we could save all questions for later. I’m not entirely certain there aren’t more of those creatures nearby.”

  “Look, I’m not going anywhere until you tell me who you both are and what you want.” There. I’d found my voice—and my attitude.

  Eamon’s tone was patient if not slightly terrifying thanks to the constant growl underlining his words. “As Xander said, I’m Eamon, a wolf warrior from the planet Bardawulf. Many years ago, I lived on Zorovia where I guarded your parents. I have been looking for you for a long time, Alina.”

  “Holy shit,” I breathed. “A wolf warrior… You’re real?”

  His lips pulled back to reveal a very toothy—and slightly scary—smile. “Very,” he said.

  I stared at the massive fur-covered face in front of me. I couldn’t believe it. Peter had told me stories about the wolf warriors but we’d assumed they’d all died in the invasions. To meet one face to face now… It was more than I’d ever expected. I wondered what Peter would think.

  I took a deep breath to calm down and make sure I didn’t start stuttering. “Right. Sure. Of course you’re real. I just never actually thought anyone from our world would find us—”

  A sound through the trees halted my babbling.

  Eamon’s ears pricked and he and Xander both whirled toward it. I squinted in the direction of the noise, but I couldn’t see anything. The sound quieted which I thought might have been a good sign, but Eamon spun back toward me, his eyes wide, his teeth bared.

  “We need to go. Now,” Xander said.

  I swallowed hard, remembering the dead Shadow that was still leaking black blood onto the ground to my right. Sure, these guys had each taken out a Shadow on their own, but I didn’t exactly want to repeat the experience again anytime soon.

  I hesitated for a split second and then made my decision.

  “This way,” I whispered, breaking into a run. Xander kept pace beside me though I could tell he wanted to go faster. Eamon stayed a few paces behind, guarding our backs.

  Up ahead, I could see the trees giving way to the open canyon. If we could reach that, it would be safe. Peter’s cloaking magic ran the length of it—which was exactly why I wasn’t supposed to venture into the woods.

  Goddess, he was going to kill me.

  As I neared the edge of the trees, the sound of hoofbeats reached me. A second later, Nightingale broke into my thoughts, frantic with fear as she raced toward us.

  I’m here! I’m okay, I shouted at her.

  I cut around the last of the trees and stumbled into the open canyon, breathing a heavy sigh of utter relief as my feet carried me past the magical barrier Peter had set for us. Beside me, Xander faltered then abruptly stopped as the horses took shape just ahead. He backed into the tree line again until he was nearly obscured by their shadows.

  Eamon came to a stop beside Xander. The wolf crouched, and I saw the same look in his orange eyes that he’d worn just before he’d attacked the Shadow.

  “It’s okay. They’re my friends,” I told them.

  Eamon’s ears twitched then laid flat against his head, but he stayed where he was. Xander produced a knife from who-even-knew-where on his body, and my eyes widened.

  “Whoa. I said they’re my friends,” I hissed at him.

  He lowered the knife but didn’t put it away.

  I glanced back at Eamon and saw that he looked a little less ready to pounce, but his animal face was hard to read.

  In the forest behind us, the other noises had gone silent, but my heart thudded anyway. Fighting for my own life was one thing. The idea of Peter and the horses facing off with the Shadows left my blood cold. I planted my feet, refusing to retreat back into the woods for anything.

  Even before Archer, Peter’s horse, came to a stop, Peter slid to the ground and ran toward me. He grabbed me up in a tight hug until I couldn’t breathe and I had to tap on his back to get him to ease up.

  When he pulled back, his light sprang up between us very dimly, and used it to check me for injuries while talking incessantly. “When Nightingale returned without you, I didn’t know what to think. God, I was so worried. Did you fall? Are you hurt?” I could see the creases in his forehead where the worry lines always formed when he was really stressed.

  “No, I—”

  “What were you thinking coming all the way out here so late? You know you can’t leave the canyon especially after dark.”

  Eamon emerged from the shadows of the trees and came to stand a few yards away. Peter still hadn’t noticed him.

  “Peter, it’s fine, put the light out before someone s
ees. I’m okay.” I batted his hands away. “Look, this is Eamon.” I gestured behind him.

  Peter turned.

  “Hello, old friend. It’s been a long time,” Eamon said.

  Peter stiffened and a second later, he thrust his glow out brighter as he peered intently at the wolf. “Eamon!”

  Peter ran over, throwing his arms around Eamon’s furry neck. At that, Xander stepped out of the shadows and watched the exchange. At least his knife was gone.

  “How in the universe did you find us?” Peter asked. He kept his hand on Eamon’s massive shoulder in a brotherly gesture.

  “I’ve been tracking you since you left. Besides, Neila and Dominik wouldn’t have let me give up on finding you if I had wanted to. We never dreamed you would come here to Earth. Not with the humans so intent on either destroying or experimenting on our kind.”

  “Yes, we assumed Tharos wouldn’t expect it either. It is so good to see you, old friend.”

  “Speaking of friends, I brought another familiar face,” Eamon said.

  Xander stepped forward and Peter’s eyes went wide.

  At the sight of Peter, Xander’s face completely transformed. I stared at his easy smile as he strode forward, extending his arm and embracing Peter. Gone was the rigid demeanor and brooding expression. I barely recognized him this way. So it was just me that he didn’t like?

  “Xander,” Peter said, hugging him right back. “I can’t believe it. You’re all grown up.”

  “It’s been a long time, Peter, but I’m still the same boy you remember,” Xander said. His voice caught on the last part—a tiny note of tension that felt aimed at me for reasons I couldn’t begin to understand.

  Peter either didn’t catch it or didn’t care. He just beamed right back at Xander like the guy had hung the damn moon.

  Peter turned back to me, still smiling. “I guess I’ll have to let your venture in the woods slide considering who you’ve brought home.”

  Who had I brought home? “Uh, what happened to ‘there are spies all over the galaxy so we have to be cautious, Alina’?” I demanded, doing my best impression of Peter’s lecturer voice.

  I could have sworn Xander’s lips twitched but when I turned my head, he was stoic as ever.

  “Trust me, these guys are safe,” Peter assured me.

  “Unfortunately, we weren’t alone out here,” Eamon said and Peter stiffened as he scanned the woods around us.

  “What happened?” Peter asked in a flat voice.

  “Shadows. Two so far, but I suspect more are hunting nearby,” Eamon said.

  Peter’s wide-eyed gaze swung to me. “Are you hurt?”

  I shook my head, “No, but I still want to know why you trust these guys so much—”

  Xander cut me off. “We should get going. We’re exposed here.”

  Peter nodded and ushered me to the horses. “I promise to explain it all when we get home,” he assured me. He turned to Eamon and Xander. “The canyon is protected with a cloaking spell, but we shouldn’t take any chances if they’re this close. We have a place nearby. Come on.”

  I started to climb onto Nightingale’s back, but Peter stopped me. “Alina, why don’t you and Xander ride together?”

  Seriously?

  “Sure,” I managed, sending Peter a dirty look that he completely ignored.

  Of course that’s how this was going to go. Hottest guy I’d ever met with no social skills to speak of and a giant chip on his shoulder. And I was going to have to sit pressed tightly against him for the next quarter mile. Not to mention he already hated me.

  My life was getting more exciting by the minute.

  Xander marched over and Nightingale tossed her head.

  I bit back a smile. At least I wasn’t the only one against this idea.

  He did save my life, I admitted to her grudgingly, and she calmed down and let him approach.

  Xander slid up into the saddle so easily I sort of wanted to hate him for it. Then he surprised me by offering his hand to help me up. I debated ignoring his help, but Peter was already waiting, and I knew we couldn’t waste any more time out here, cloaking spell or not.

  “Just take it,” he said, and I blinked, wondering if maybe he could read my thoughts like Nightingale could.

  I grabbed Xander’s hand, and he swung me up easily into the saddle. “Thanks,” I said breathlessly.

  I told myself I was only short of breath because of the sudden movement and not because my body was freaking out about being pressed against his. His back muscles were literally rippling as he grabbed the reins which was just ridiculous. And hot. But mostly ridiculous.

  “Hee-yah.” Xander dug his heels into Nightingale’s sides. She snorted at him and lurched into motion, shaking her head to free herself from his tight grip on her bit.

  “You don’t have to be so rough with her,” I said.

  “Jesups need to know who’s boss.”

  What the hell was a jesup? Did he mean me or the horse? I couldn’t bring myself to ask as we broke into a gallop and headed for home.

  Chapter Four

  I knew Peter hadn’t lied about the canyon being protected—cloaking was his gift and thank the universe for it—but I still hated the way my back tingled as we left the forest and its monsters behind us. My front tingled too—but that had more to do with the warmth of Xander’s back pressed against my chest and the way his skin smelled when I leaned in close—like the woods and the sea all at once. I drew the line at looping my arms around his torso though. Instead, I squeezed my thighs against Nightingale’s saddle and prayed she didn’t break rhythm as I bounced along.

  No way was I going to be able to keep it together if my palms touched his pecs. Broody or not, he had really nice pecs.

  We made it back in what felt like forever and no time at all. Xander steered Nightingale over to the wooden steps around the side of the barn and I slid to my feet, careful to keep my hands to myself. Slowly and deliberately, I stepped down the two steps to the ground, glad my knees held despite how wobbly they felt after that ride home. Goddess, you would think I’d never been around a hot male before.

  But then, compared to Xander I hadn’t. And even if I had, it wasn’t like I had any real experience interacting with one. Kate would have been mortified for me if she’d been here to see this.

  When I looked up, I found Xander watching me. He was wearing the same expression he had when he’d first noticed me out in the woods. It unsettled me. Like he wanted something from me I wasn’t prepared to give.

  “What?” I asked.

  “You’re just…” His face scrunched up like he was frustrated about something.

  “I’m just what?” I pressed.

  “Nothing,” he said at last.

  I sighed. Nightingale sighed. Xander dismounted—and narrowly avoided Nightingale trying to bite him as he landed.

  I swallowed a giggle and sent her a mental high five for that one.

  Near the barn, Peter had already dismounted and let Archer wander to his feed bucket nearby. Eamon and Peter stood talking and smiling, clearly enjoying each other’s company. You never would have known I’d almost died tonight or that any danger existed at all with the way they carried on.

  I scowled to myself, still a little put off that Peter was so friendly with these guys even after all his lectures to me about not trusting anyone that came from the stars. Rather than join them, I reached for Nightingale’s lead and began walking her toward the barn.

  Peter looked up as I passed. “Oh, Alina, why don’t you let Xander do that.”

  “Xander?” I repeated, not bothering to hide how I felt about that idea. “But he doesn’t know what to do. He doesn’t even know what a horse is.”

  “He knows enough,” Peter assured me. “Besides, I want you to come in and hear about Eamon. About how they found us. There are things you need to hear.”

  When I didn’t move to follow, Xander stepped up beside me, his hand just barely brushing mine as he gently took Nig
htingale’s lead out of my grip. “You don’t have to worry. I’ll take good care of her,” he said quietly.

  I bit my lip and looked up at him. My stomach flipped at our proximity. For starters, we were close enough that I could smell him again which was not helping me think clearly. But then my breath caught and my knees nearly buckled as I finally noticed what I’d missed before.

  It had been dark in the forest, even with the light of his glow. Even with the flash of the bolt he’d put out. My own adrenaline and his attitude had distracted me and I hadn’t seen it.

  But I saw it now.

  His eyes. They were blue as the ocean and just as deep—full of hidden truths under their surface. Eyes I’d seen a thousand times and imagined a thousand more.

  They were the eyes from my dreams.

  And they’d come to life in the form of the moodiest—and the most gorgeous—guy I’d ever seen.

  Not just any guy, either. A Zorovian male. One of my kind.

  Holy…

  “I can handle it,” he assured me.

  What? I blinked and thought very hard about what the hell we’d just been talking about that he could supposedly handle. The horses, right. Shit.

  I managed a dazed nod, still reeling. Apparently satisfied, he disappeared into the barn with Nightingale in tow, completely oblivious to my revelation.

  Up ahead, Peter waved at me to follow him and Eamon into the house. I obeyed, operating on autopilot while my brain ran away with the million possible explanations of what was happening.

  I’d just met the eyes. In real life. No dream.

  At least, I was fairly certain this wasn’t a dream.

  And he knew me. Or he knew Peter. Or—

  I quickened my pace, hurrying to get inside where we could talk. It was a very good thing Peter had promised answers, because all of a sudden, I had so many questions.

  I followed Eamon and Peter into the living room and almost snorted at the bowl of water Peter set beside Eamon’s feet. It made him seem so… animal. Until he opened his mouth. Not only could he speak, but the cadence of his words and tone were so formal it made me feel like the unintelligent one. “I understand you have many questions, Alina. Why don’t I start at the beginning and tell you how I came to be here tonight?”