Page 48 of Orion: Galaxy Huntress

She sighed and threw her head back. “They’d go down well with a nice red wine.”

“Once we take care of Vexlel,” I said. “I’ll get you all the finest wine your pretty little lips can drink.”

My heard pounded three times at the smile that could light up the galaxy, and I felt like a planet basking in the heat of her sun. This woman was changing me. Bringing me back from certain death. I hadn’t rescued her. She’d rescued me.

We returned to the campsite where Little Star cooked and smoked the meat as if she prepared for a prolonged stay. The three of them sat by the fire eating the juicy protein. Damn demon got the honor of wiping the fat dripping down her lip. The shifter growled but the demon didn’t back off, smiling smugly, and licking his finger to taste her. What I wouldn’t give to be in his place. But I had to win back her trust first.

After dinner, she stood up and announced, “I must set up traps to warn us of any intruders,” as if she couldn’t bear remaining around the camp with the three of us.

“Strategic, Little Star.” I stood again to accompany her. Protect her.

She shivered at my nickname and slammed her eyes shut. “Don’t call me that.” She fought her body’s response that betrayed her.

“It’s what you are, kitten.” The demon went back to chewing his bird bone. “Don’t diminish it.”

“Don’t you call me that either.” Her fierce eyes snapped open, glaring at us both.

“Orion?” the shifter said softly. “Are you okay?”

“Just worried about intruders.” She marched off without another word, leaving me curious how she would fortify the camp from trespassers.

When I made my move to pursue her, the other two came with me, the shifter bumping into my shoulder as we squeezed through two trees. I glared at them for interrupting my attempt at redemption.

“What? You’re not the only one fighting for her affections.” The demon clapped me on the shoulder, wincing at his pain, then moaning as he hurried away.

We found her collecting logs along the stream. “What are you doing? You should be resting,” she scolded the demon and shifter, pulling out her blade to sharpen the wood into stakes.

“We thought we’d help you,” the shifter advised.

“I work alone.” She dragged the sharp blade along the wood, making her point.

“Not anymore, you don’t.” The shifter claimed her blade to finish the job.

She huffed and generated another weapon for herself, getting straight to work on the second log, working quickly and efficiently.

I scoured the ground for rocks or anything large enough to pelt at intruders.

“What can I do, kitten?” the demon asked, sheepish and under-utilized for his skill at trickery. “I’m always up for anything barbaric.”

Little Star chuckled and shook her head, barely breaking a sweat as she sharpened the blade like she had done on the hunt. “Got any rope?”

The demon raised a finger. “That would require another deal.” Him and his fucking deals.

She jabbed her blade at him. “You just offered your assistance.”

“I hope you carve wood the way you skin a demon, Hell Kitty.”

Orion rolled her eyes and gave a long, severe shave of wood.

“I don’t suppose I can sell my soul twice, can I?” At my question, her gaze shot up suspiciously, and I regretted the way she looked at me compared to the demon.

The devilish fiend lifted two pressed fingers in preparation to accept the deal.

“No more deals, Vice.” The shifter shoved him to the left, making the demon groan and clutch his chest. “The vampire already sold his soul. Give us some rope.”

The demon gave a hard sigh. “You really rain on my parade, Ace.” His click produced four bundles of ropes. “This enough, kitten?”

“This isn’t a game, Vice.” The shifter thumped him on the arm, making the demon howl. “This is people’s lives. Souls.”

“Okay, okay.” The demon raised two palms. “I found a loophole in the contract anyway.”

Dumbfounded, I stared at him. “Then why did you insist I barter my soul?”

Vice glanced from side to side. “Excuse me, vampire. Did you not notice the horns, wings and tail? I’m a crossroads demon. That’s what I do!”

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