Page 66 of Stealing the Star Stone
She stomped to him and froze, catching his gaze on her.But what flittered across her mind was another woman, older, with his eyes, scolding him about his frown.
“A smile has potential to change the world.The right one at the right time is your power.”She stroked his chin and ruffled his then-short hair.“And you, my pumpkin, have the most beautiful smile in the world.”
“Nova?”
She blinked, snapping herself out of the vision.Odd things, he’d said.Studies had been done about memories being stored on a cellular level.That had to explain this madness.She’d been too long in his body and was now recalling his childhood.If they didn’t swap soon, she’d have to suffer through his one-night-stands.
Including the night she’d given him her virginity.
“We can rest for another hour or two.”She draped the coat over him, then squeezed behind him.The rock shared the warmth from her body.
As the world awoke, squeaks, shrieks, barks had her jumping.She tightened her arms around Eli, keeping him close.All their weapons rested beside the bag, the laser rifle leaning against the wall.That was near enough to reach.The sun peeked over the horizon.When its rays reached them, they added an extra layer of heat that made her groan.
A cup of hot tea would be heavenly, but without a way to light a fire and boil water, the chances of her getting anything remotely tea-like were slim.
Eli stretched, pushing up the coat.He clambered to his feet and scowled.“Got to pee.”
“Saw some foliage to the west, but don’t touch anything.Who knows what this moon’s version of poison ivy looks like.”
He marched across the shore, muttering about hating to drip dry.
Grinning, she dressed, peeling on the damp jeans and coat.Cold, wet socks had to do, made almost bearable in her equally wet boots.
“Where’s your T-shirt?”he asked, striding to her, breasts jiggling.
She swallowed and cast her gaze down.“Cut it up for your wounds.Must have unraveled when you cooled off in the pool.”
“Not that I mind…all of that.”He gestured to her exposed chest.
She smiled.Being able to walk around shirtless was a benefit.“My turn.”She abandoned him, choosing a different bush to hide behind.Her cock had softened, so she didn’t have to use thoughts of strangling Orien just to pee.
She chuckled.“I’m getting better at this.”She zipped up and headed back.
“Why do you say that?”he asked, tugging on a boot.At least he wasn’t waltzing around naked anymore.
“No pee on my boots,” she said, waving a foot.“Where next?”
“Follow the river, I suppose.Only way out of this place.”He stood and held out a halved protein bar.“We can share.”
She bit into it, rolling her tongue around its mealy texture.“Want to test the star stone before we try for another?”
“You think it will work?”He stopped and pulled the egg out of the bag.
With the protein bar clenched between her teeth, she placed her hands on the star stone and waited, praying for any reaction.A zap made her snatch her hands away.The blue tattoo extended another tendril and formed what she had to assume was the symbol for four.
“Well, I guess that answers it.”He shoved the stone into the bag and offered it to her.
She sighed and looped it over a shoulder.“Right.We need directions.”
Along the shore they strode, until he called her name, waiting for her to stop.
“Forgot the rifle.”Back he hurried then froze.“Um, Nova-honey, there’s something here.Bring the book.”He flicked his fingers at her.“Quick.”
She sprinted to him.Sure enough, along the wall was a line of letters, glowing in the morning sunlight.“How did we miss it?”
“The light, maybe,” he said, taking the book from her.
“Why does it feel like a treasure hunt with super high stakes?”
