A Collection of Shifters: C.M.'s Collections, #13

By C.M. Simpson

Shifters come in all shapes and sizes. Some can be found in the universes of Odyssey and Miss Delight, or the Pixie Dust setting, and some are found elsewhere. Whether they are laying their lives on the line for their cubs, their mates or their friends, or hunting down some unsuspecting human, they live among the heroes and villains that dwell in our imagination. Within these covers lies a dozen short stories and a swathe of flash fiction and poetry focused on shifters of many forms, from the werewolves of Lunar One to the arach and lizardine, to creatures great and small, land-bound and from the sea.

• Language: English
• Publisher: C.M. Simpson
• Release date: Jan 17, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215157008

C.M. Simpson

I spent the first twenty years of my life living in different parts of Queensland and the Northern Territory. My father was a teacher who liked to travel, so he took teaching appointments in all kinds of places. I don’t think I stayed in one place for more than four years at a stretch. I wrote stories for most of that time, drawing on the different landscapes we encountered and giving a hyper-active imagination somewhere to run. Seeing so many different places gave me a lot of food for thought as I stepped into the world of adulthood and took my first full-time job, and I never stopped writing and exploring the worlds in my head. So far, I have written four collections of short stories and poetry, and a number of novels, with many more to come. I hope you have enjoyed this part of my journey.

Book preview

Stories from Lunar One

Earth and Lunar Dreaming

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Overview:

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When werewolf, Chitin’s, nightly solitude is interrupted by a small child seeking his help, he does not suspect that her plea will touch his dreams for the world of his ancestors. He is determined to refuse her, but she is just as determined to gain his protection, and leaves him little choice but to help—at least at the start.

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Background

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Earth and Lunar Dreaming is set in the same universe as Bid the Moon Goodbye the poems, ‘In Memory of Hummingbirds’, and ‘The Halls of the Moon.’

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This story was written for the Story Match Challenge on July 15, 2015, and explores the universe of the Lunar Wolves. It originally appeared as a stand-alone short story, but that format is no longer available.

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The halls of the moon were bustling with people—usually, but Chitin chose to roam the ones that everyone else avoided. He liked the relative quiet and the dimmed lighting, and he knew he had nothing to fear. In human form, he was too big for most to attack, and he was yet to meet anyone who would stand and face him when he became a wolf.

Of course, if he became a wolf, it was usually so he could run and hide, vanishing through a grate into the walls of Lunar One to emerge dressed as a workman through a maintenance hatch elsewhere. He was not the only one to frequent the tunnels—or the only one to have claimed a corner in the disused warren that had once housed the refugees of Earth.

That had been many moons ago, and Chitin curled his lip at the unintended pun. Many, many moons. His people had a home on one of the outer worlds, now, a place with forests to roam in, one for which their claim had been honored. But Chitin did not feel as though he belonged there. He did not feel as though he belonged anywhere... except maybe here, in the dimly lit halls of a half-forgotten legacy.

It was late, and he had come to the dome to stare out at the stars, to drink in the view of a slowly recovering world.

One day, he thought, I will go and visit, but every night he searched the Earth’s surface, and the places he most wanted to go still glowed. Tonight, he looked, again, and saw the same, although he imagined one small corner had grown in healthy darkness, and the thought made him smile.

At this rate, I will be covered in silver before I can stand beneath those skies and look up at where I am now, he thought, sadness rippling over him like a stream.

A small sound caught his ears. If he were in wolf form, his ears would have twitched, and he’d have tilted his head to catch the sound all the better. As it was, he tilted his head and turned his face just enough that he could catch sight of her from the corner of his eye. He knew that, as soon as she knew he’d seen her, she’d bolt.

He also knew she was nothing to fear. The she-child had been stalking him for the last five days, and he had stalked her back, just enough to ensure she posed no threat to him.

She’s probably come off one of the cargoes, Nev Shinto had said, when Chitin asked. Been a few stowaways last few weeks. Probably escaped from an orphanage or traders. I don’t ask, and I don’t tell. You know me.

Don’t ask. Don’t tell, that was Nev’s mantra, and Chitin wasn’t going to complain. He benefited from it as much as the next wall walker. He had held up a credit stick with a distinctive red-and-gold star on one side, and watched Nev’s eyes light up.

Where does she doss? he asked—Nev might believe in don’t ask, don’t tell, but he could still be bought; Chitin kept that in mind every time he dealt with the man.

The sound came again, pulling Chitin out of the memory. This time he could not suppress the growl rumbling from his chest. It was met with a frightened squeak and a hurried scuffle, but not the pittering patter of running footsteps, like before.

What do you want? he said, his voice projecting in a rough bark.

More sounds of movement, and this time he did turn his head. The she-child had broken cover, and now approached him, wary caution in every line. Her light-brown hair stuck out at odd angles from her head, as though some inexpert hand had wielded clippers to save the trouble of brushing it. In the light refracted from outside the dome, Chitin could see it was touched with striations of fawn and gold.

As he watched, she palmed the fringe away from her eyes, and came another few steps closer. She reminded him of a kitten, one of those from a cargo ship, all fear and defiance. The sight touched the wolf inside him, and he had to resist the urge to chase.

From the scent rising off her skin, she was terrified, yet she came toward him, her face stark white, and her small jaw set with determination.

What do you want? he repeated, trying to keep his voice gentle.

She froze, poised for flight, and Chitin sighed.

I’m not going to eat you, you know, and he lowered himself to the ground, curling his legs beneath him, watching her watch him, keeping an eye, and an ear, on the far corners of the room, and making sure the planet never left his sight.

To give her credit, she did not run, although she was ready to. When he was settled, he was still as tall as she was, but her terror had diminished to fear, and she came toward him, one slow step at a time. When she paused, three meters away, Chitin tucked his hands under his legs and looked at her.

In the half-light of the dome, he could see she wasn’t quite as human as she appeared. Her hair had small tufts of black through the tawny yellow-brown, and her eyes were a strange blend of yellow-green tinged by the lightest shade of blue.

What are you? he asked, and she drew herself up to her full three and a half feet of height.

She reminded him so much of a cat fluffing out its fur, that he had to suppress a smile, so he ducked his head to hide the curve of his lips. Her reply wiped all amusement from his mind.

I am a little girl, she said, and added, "A little human girl."

He wanted to refute that claim, but thought better of it. Something in the desperate way she had said it made him see its importance to her. Thinking quickly, he changed the subject.

And what is a little human girl doing, following me around?

I want to hire you.

This time Chitin didn’t bother to suppress the bark of laughter.

And what makes you think you have anything I would want?

He had made her angry, he could see, but she raised her chin and glared at him.

Because I stole it from your lair, and hid it where you will not be able to find it.

That stopped his laughter in its tracks.

You what?

I took the notebook and your auto-cam, she said, holding herself very still, and I hid them where you cannot fit.

Now, he wasn’t in the mood to laugh at all.

Go and get them and give. them. back, he said, the softness of his voice denoting anger.

No.

You have no idea what you are playing with.

Again, that defiant tilt of the chin, and this time a small smirk of satisfaction.

I am being chased by a cat, she said, and you are a very big dog.

"I’m a what?" Chitin was on his feet before he could remind himself to sit still, but this time the little girl stood her ground.

You are a dog. I have seen you. She hesitated, looking up at him, her eyes as big as saucers.

A very big dog, she added, and then, as though trying to placate him, with beautiful fur.

Chitin felt his cheeks grow warm, and knew he was blushing.

Well, I still want my stuff back, he said, his anger at being mistaken for a dog subsiding.

And I want you to make the cat go away.

Chitin sighed. He supposed it wouldn’t hurt to humor her. He crouched down in front of her, and looked into her eyes. He was very aware of Earth hanging in the darkness outside the dome, of the way the dawn fringed the world in yellow light, but with an effort, he kept his eyes on her face.

What does this cat look like?

He looks like you.

But I’m a wolf.

She frowned at that. Chitin watched her process ‘wolf’ and give an internal shrug. Wolf, dog, he supposed it was all the same to her—he would still have to deal with the cat to get his stuff back.

Well, he’s a cat, but he looks like a person.

Then how do you know he’s a cat?

That pulled her up short, and she stared at him. For a moment, he thought she might tell him, but then she said, I just do, in the way of all children who don’t want to explain. Her voice dared him to say otherwise.

So, what does he look like as a human?

Well, he has scary yellow eyes that sometimes look orange, and skin like mine, a black beard, and reddish-brown hair.

Reddish brown?

Like...like a fox, she said.

Reddish-brown hair, black beard, green eyes, and skin the color of ivory touched with gold... Chitin had a very bad feeling he knew what kind of cat this might be.

Is he a very big man? he asked, dreading the answer.

Again, he was met by a very solemn stare as she considered the question.

He’s not as tall as you, she finally said, but he is wider.

Wide as in fat, or wide as in muscly?

Muscly, she said, nodding as though checking an internal picture.

Keeping his gaze on her face, Chitin decided to test a theory.

What does he smell like?

Like a cat, she said, and then closed her mouth with an almost audible snap.

Chitin watched as she narrowed her eyes, anger making them seem almost yellow. Oh, crap.

And how do you know he’s chasing you?

Because he’s here, she whispered, and the shadows around the door shifted, the cat moving like liquid lightning as it pounced.

The girl moved faster. One minute, she was standing in front of Chitin, and the next she had leapt over his head and used his shoulder as a pivot to twist and come down behind him. Chitin didn’t waste time wondering how she had managed that feat; he gauged the cat’s landing point and moved to meet him five feet before it.

He flowed under the leap, grabbing the man by his shoulders, turning him in the air, and dropping him hard onto the floor. He heard the pained whuff as the air left the cat’s lungs, and released his grip, placing his foot firmly on the man’s chest.

Who are you? he said, watching as the stranger looked up at him.

The man’s orange-yellow eyes flicked away from Chitin’s face, seeking out the child.

She is under my protection, Chitin said, not bothering to disguise the growl that followed his warning.

The man gave a chuffing laugh.

Little minx, he said. She won’t let me near enough to explain.

He moved his arm, and Chitin bounced his weight on the man’s chest. The man stopped moving.

My I.D., he said, is in my pocket.

He noticed Chitin’s gaze take in the black cargo pants he was wearing.

The second pocket on the outside.

And I’m sure it’ll match whatever story you’ve got to tell me.

I am not going to hurt her.

Uh huh.

Jeez. Call Odyssey, then. They won’t lie.

What do they want her for? Chitin heard movement behind him. Don’t go anywhere.

The child stopped, and then she flung herself at the man on the floor, slapping his face.

Bad kitty! she screamed. Bad, bad kitty!

Hey! but to give him credit, all the cat did was give Chitin a look that asked for help, before turning his face away from the blows.

"You are a bad kitty."

Chitin reached down and picked the child up by the scruff of her neck.

She gave a screech of frustration, and then hung limply from his grasp.

You do know what she is, don’t you? the man asked, and Chitin took his boot off his chest.

She’s under my protection, Chitin said. You can’t take her, unless she agrees to go.

The cat got cautiously to his feet, taking care to move clear of Chitin as he did so. Moving slowly, he walked over to one of the abandoned tables and sat.

I can explain.

The girl twisted in Chitin’s grasp, and the wolf pulled her into his chest, looping a forearm around her waist. She looked up at him, her eyes a gleaming golden green.

He is a bad kitty, she said.

Let’s hear what he has to say, Chitin suggested, and felt her push carefully against his arm. When she found she couldn’t wriggle loose, she looked up at him with frightened eyes.

Don’t let him take me away.

Not unless you say you want to go, Chitin said.

And you’ll come with me?

Chitin glanced over at the cat who was watching the exchange with undisguised interest. The man nodded, orange eyes gleaming, ticking something off on an internal list.

I’ll come with you.

Promise?

Chitin hesitated, and felt her try to kick free.

I promise, he said, as her struggles became more desperate. I promise I will go with you, if you decide to go. I promise. I promise. I promise.

When she stopped struggling, he settled himself on the opposite side of the table.

So, are you? he said.

The man frowned, and pushed back his chair, but he remained seated.

I am not bad kitty, he said.

His statement was met by silence from the child in Chitin’s arms, and he sighed, addressing the child when he spoke next.

"All right. I am a weretiger, just like he is a werewolf, but I am not here to hurt you."

The girl made a small sound that might have meant curiosity. Chitin waited, ready to move if the tiger tried to snatch the child, or harm them. Looking across the table at them, the cat leant his elbows on its surface and rested his chin in his hands.

Rafferty, he said, and Chitin was out of his seat and heading for the door. No, not you, her. It all started with Rafferty. We got the ring.

Chitin kept moving, the child not struggling, as he carried her away from the cat.

Dammit! I’m trying to save you.

Chitin kept walking, turning through the door, and heading left into the warren of rooms.

I know a place, the child whispered. You would fit if you were a dog.

Wolf. The correction was automatic.

Wolf. You are smaller than he is.

Have you seen him as a tiger?

She was silent.

All right. Tell me when to change.

Left, she said, tugging at his jacket as though being in his arms gave her any influence. He turned, anyway.

Left.

He turned left, and then right, and then, when they found themselves in a long-abandoned room with an empty bedframe, Down.

Chitin got down, and she scrambled out of his arms, kicking the door closed behind them before ducking beneath the small, three-foot-square desk top. He heard a muffled thump and scraping, and then she whispered.

Only the wolf will fit.

Only the wolf will...fantastic, but Chitin did as she told him, and followed her into a crawl space where even in wolf form he had to shuffle along on his elbows and belly.

How much further? he wanted to ask, but she kept moving, quick and quiet, for what seemed an age. All he could do was follow, and hope the access shaft opened out soon.

When it finally did, it was into a cavity he hadn’t guessed existed. His notebook-sized computer and auto-cam were stacked neatly on a slab of plascrete that had been set on two smaller pieces of debris to form a shelf.

Chitin slid out of the access shaft and dropped a foot to the floor. Once out of the shaft, he stretched his legs and shook the kinks out of his coat, but he did not shift back to human form; the chamber was too small for that. He stretched again, sliding his forelegs out to touch one wall, and arching his back so that his rump almost touched the other. His tail brushed the ceiling.

The girl lifted a metal grill into place over the shaft, and then went and sat on a small, neatly made bed on the other side of the room.

You’ll need to become human again, if you want to talk, she said, but Chitin just gave her a happy, full-jawed yawn, and lay down on the floor.

Fine. Have it your way. I need to sleep anyway.

Chitin closed his eyes, and buried his nose under the tip of his tail. Of one thing he was sure, the tiger would definitely not fit down the tunnel, and this chamber was probably not on any of the schematics. It would be one of those anomalies that only an expert could detect, and he doubted that even an expert would be able to get into it without making a lot of noise.

He woke to the smell of a self-heating meal set inches from his nose. The child was sitting on her bed, looking at him expectantly.

It’s beef, she said, when she saw him open his eyes.

Chitin looked at her and yawned, and then he stretched and yawned again. Self-heat or not, the food smelled good, so he ate, and then sat in the corner and stared at the child. There were too many questions he wanted answered for him to stay a wolf, and he didn’t want to become human, again, until he had more room to move.

He nudged the mesh grill with his nose, and glanced back at the girl expectantly. When she didn’t move, he nudged the grill, again, and then looked back at her with a grumbling whine.

Do you think it’s safe to leave?

He gave a soft wuff, and she got up.

You going to tell me what you’re doing?

Chitin nudged the notebook and the auto-cam, and looked at her.

You want to use the net?

Chitin gave another quiet wuff.

Do we still need to hide?

Wuff, wuff.

Okay, then. I think I know a place. It’s not as safe as here, but there’s room to run away, ’kay?

Chitin wagged his tail, and the child took down the grill, and led the way into the maintenance shaft. This time, they came out somewhere in the business district, a level up from Nev’s, near a loading dock.

Lots of exits, the child explained, as Chitin slid into his human body once more.

Thank you, Chitin said, and settled himself on an upturned box. What’s your name?

I remember Tallie, the child said, shyness softening her tone.

Do you like it?

I... It’s okay, I guess.

Good. I need to make a call. You trust me?

I let you out, didn’t I?

Chitin regarded her for a long moment. He didn’t want to think of the meaning behind that. It was just...not something he wanted to contemplate.

I’m calling Odyssey, he said.

To check on the kitty?

Yup.

’Kay.

Chitin placed the call, making sure Tallie was out of the camera shot, and making sure his backdrop was the slab-sided wall of the dock. He even tried not to look past the screen, to give no indication Tallie was within range.

You took your time. The woman on the other end was blonde, and had the heart-shaped face of an angel. She’d fool most people, but Chitin had caught a glimpse of her eyes before she turned her attention fully to the screen. He didn’t want her hunting him, ever. Here was to hoping she never would.

What do you want with the child?

She’s one of a dozen taken by Rafferty. Chitin closed the notebook and stood up.

We have to go, he said, and then registered the voice coming from the earbud he’d forgotten to disconnect.

... but we took him down four weeks ago.

Chitin stopped mid-stride, turned around, and settled back onto the crate. The woman was visibly annoyed, when he opened the laptop once more.

It’s what Matt was trying to tell you, yesterday. That child is safe. We’re only trying to return her to where she came from.

He ignored the movement that was Tallie creeping closer to the back of the notebook, resisted the urge to look at her.

And what if she doesn’t want to go?

She has to go back to her parents.

Chitin kept his gaze steady, ignoring Tallie’s movement at his feet.

What if she doesn’t want to go?

The woman stared at him.

Wolfman, I don’t think that’s your decision to make.

Chitin waited no longer. He snapped the laptop cover closed, and stood up, turning to leave it, and the earbuds, on the crate.

Run, he said, to Tallie, and she asked no questions, merely sprinting away from the loading dock, before turning sharply into a narrow gap he would have missed. It was a squeeze even for his lanky frame, and Chitin gave in to the need to move quickly, and shifted back into a wolf.

Tallie glanced back when she didn’t hear him following, smiling when she saw the wolf.

Come on, boy, she said, and fled.

When they were several blocks distant, Tallie slipped through a partly ajar gate, and around a large potted fern.

Right, she said, as Chitin came to a halt beside her. Do you need to make another call?

Wuff.

Don’t change back until I introduce you, then, she instructed, and Chitin cocked his head in question.

Trust me, the girl whispered.

Chitin whined softly, and she laid a hand on his head.

Come on. We can borrow Stella’s comm.

Chitin shook her hand off his head, but let her lead him through the gate, which opened onto the courtyard space. As he moved, he took the time to look around, noting the profusion of ferns, orchids and flowers. Fruit trees were espaliered against every wall, and a waterfall cascaded down behind them in a recycled flow. Tallie noticed his interest.

You and Stel have a lot in common, she whispered, and Chitin glared at her.

Those files were supposed to be private! Robbed of his voice, he growled.

Tallie was unrepentant. I was bored. You were sleeping. Come on.

Stella turned out to be a dark-haired woman in her late thirties. She looked from Tallie to Chitin and said, Is this your dad, then?

Taking his cue, Chitin shifted back to his workman’s disguise, and held out his hand.

Not exactly, he said. Pleased to meet you.

This is Wolfman, and he needs to use your phone, Tallie said. He likes your garden, by the way.

Chitin felt his face heat with embarrassment, and Stella laughed, her brown eyes dancing with amusement.

Well, if you’re looking after her, that’s good enough for me, Stella said. I was starting to wonder if she had a home to go to.

From the look on Tallie’s face, that was news.

I need to call Odyssey, he said. Do you have a secure line?

Stella stopped smiling.

Why do you ask?

Some of those flowers out there, he said, are very hard to come by without a permit, and... He hesitated; there was no polite way to say what he was thinking. Stella finished his sentence for him.

...I don’t look like I could afford that many?

She smiled when he nodded, but it was fleeting and her next look was stern.

This is for Tallie?

Yes.

Then of course I have a secure line. This way.

Chitin ignored the way Tallie was looking from one to the other of them, and let Stella take him through the living room and into a shielded communications centre built between the back wall of the shower, and the pumping station for the water feature.

I’ll stay, she said, if you don’t mind.

You know what Odyssey is?

Stella nodded.

Okay, then. The risk is yours.

The blonde woman was waiting when he called back. She glanced down at her console, and then past it to another part of the room.

We’ll trace this eventually, was all she said. Where’s the girl?

You found my computer?

The woman hesitated, and then nodded.

I will not surrender the child, if she does not want to go. At his words, Tallie came around to stand beside him.

I have no parents, she said.

We know. We were going to return you to the home.

Were not, Tallie blurted, and Chitin looked at Stella in surprise. The woman on the screen looked just as startled.

Stella tapped her temple, and pointed to Tallie. Chitin raised his eyebrows, and glanced down at the child and the screen. The exchange had not gone unnoticed.

You should tell whoever is with you, that we’ll eventually find them, so they might as well come into shot.

Chitin looked at Stella, and shook his head.

I don’t think so. This call is a favor. He changed the subject. What do you want with my girl?

Yours?

I am her protection, Chitin said. We have an arrangement.

We were going to raise her ourselves.

Chitin glanced down at Tallie, who nodded. The woman sighed.

And now you see why.

Well, she’s mine. You can’t have her, unless she wants to go.

May I speak with her?

Chitin glanced down at Tallie, who nodded, so he stepped back, and let her take the seat. As a recruiting spiel, it was good, augmented with all the right sights, sounds and promises an abandoned child could want. When she was finished, Tallie looked at Stella, and then at Chitin. He shrugged, keeping his expression as blank as he could.

It’s a good offer, he said. I can’t match it.

Tallie looked at Stella, but Stella shook her head.

No, Tallie said, when she looked back at the screen, and then she stood up, and hugged his arm.

To say the Odyssey agent was surprised was an understatement, and she looked unimpressed when she turned her attention to Chitin.

You’re sworn to protect her, are you?

Chitin nodded.

And to raise her?

Again, Chitin nodded, although he was sure he could hear Tallie calling him a liar.

And you would do all within your power to retrieve her. That last was a statement of fact.

Chitin nodded once more. He had sworn to protect the child, and that made Tallie part of his pack.

You background checks were...interesting, and given what you are, I’m authorized to make you her legal guardian. Nev will have the paperwork. The offer is open for the next standard lunar hour.

The communications set beeped, and Stella reached down, and pulled the plug.

They breached the first layer on their trace, she said.

Chitin looked at her.

There are ten layers. Nine is never enough. When he kept staring at her, she explained. As you guessed, plants are not my first profession.

Chitin stared at her for three more steady heartbeats, and then crouched down, disengaging Tallie’s arm, and turning her to face him.

I’ve just said I’ll adopt you, he said. Is that okay?

Tallie nodded, and he looked up at Stella.

Want to help me raise a cub? he asked, and Tallie burst into tears.

Without thinking, Chitin reached out, and pulled her into his arms.

What’s wrong? he asked, brushing Tallie’s hair out of her eyes. What’s wrong?

I... I’m not a cub! the girl exclaimed. "I’m a little girl. I’m a little human girl."

Chitin placed a hand on each of her shoulders, and looked into her face. Once again, he noted her hair, and the odd shading of her eyes.

You’re not, you know, he said, and didn’t let go when she tried to twist away. Look into my head. Just look. And you’ll know.

Tallie just held out her arms, and Chitin pulled her close, holding her as she cried. When she stopped, she pulled back enough to look him in the eye.

I really want to be a little, human girl, she said, and Chitin felt his heart start to break, but she leant forward, and placed her head against his, and then rubbed her face against his cheek in a very cat-like gesture.

For a moment her form wavered, and then it solidified, and then wavered again. Chitin caught a glimpse of a black-tufted tail, felt bones almost shift, and then she remained firmly in the form he knew. Drawing a deep breath, she stepped out of his arms, and looked him in the eye.

I know what I am, she said, and you can look after me. She looked at Stella. And you can look after me, too.

I... Stella looked at Chitin, and then at Tallie, and her voice firmed. Yes.

Chitin glanced around, and Stella looked down at the timepiece on her wrist.

If we hurry, we can make it. I’ll need to sign as well.

I’m coming, too, Tallie said, and walked out the door, before either of them could say no.

Odyssey was waiting when they walked through the back door of Nev’s shop, and into his office. The blonde woman was sitting behind Nev’s desk, and Matt, was stationed by the door leading out into the shopfront.

My name is Emilia Delight, the woman said. I am authorized to approve the adoption of one Talienta Shift by one Chitin Laremo del Shestar.

She glanced over at Stella, and raised an eyebrow.

I thought that security layer looked familiar. How are you involved?

I believe I am the other half of the adoption partnership.

The smile that touched Delight’s lips was so fleeting, Chitin thought he’d imagined it, but she pushed aside any personal amusement, and took them through the paperwork with a businesslike manner, adding Stella’s name where it was needed, and initialing as they went. When they were done, Delight turned to Tallie.

You keep them in line, little cub. And no more psi tricks until you’ve had some training.

Training? Both Chitin and Stella laid one arm across Tallie’s shoulders, and Chitin swore he wouldn’t ask Stella where she’d obtained her Tekkan 92, if she did him the same courtesy.

Delight laughed, and turned to the tiger.

Happy now?

Matt gave