Starfire by Kate Douglas

hoping like hell no one noticed. He cleared his throat and made a point of focusing on those deep blue eyes of hers. “How’s Artigos?”
    Selyn smiled and rubbed the dog’s curly head. “I just peeked through the window on the door and checked on him. He sleeps, but his breakfast tray is empty. I think he likes your bacon and eggs.” She flashed a big grin at Ginny and Alton. “Hello. It’s good to see you. I’m glad to hear everything went so well.” She nodded and stepped aside.
    “Hey, Selyn. I brought you something.” Ginny held up one of the cloth bags she carried. “Sandals. I think they’re your size. Dawson said you needed shoes.”
    Selyn’s eyes lit up like a little kid’s at Christmas. “For me?” She took the bag from Ginny, tugged the drawstring to loosen it, and pulled out a beautiful pair of leather sandals.
    Dawson stepped closer to see. “Wow. Those are gorgeous. Will they fit?”
    Her eyes sparkled as she knelt to put them on. Dawson almost laughed aloud. Obviously shoes appealed to all women.
    Selyn finished buckling the sandals and stood. “They’re perfect. I’ve never had anything like them. Thank you.”
    “Wonderful.” Ginny leaned into Alton. “When you meet Gaia, Alton’s mom, you can thank her. She sent them.”
    “Your mother?” Selyn’s eyes went big. “I thought they looked like something one of the aristocracy would wear. Are you sure it’s all right for me to …”
    Alton seemed to understand what she was thinking. “Of course it’s all right. They’re a gift from my mother. She wanted you to have them. She sent a robe for you, too.”
    Ginny held up the other bag, but she elbowed Alton.
    Laughing, he added, “but Ginny thought you’d prefer pants.”
    “I guess.” Selyn brushed her hand down her cotton-covered legs. “Like these?”
    “No. Like these.” Ginny laughed and held up one jeans-clad leg. I’ve got some extras in our room, and we’re about the same size. C’mon.”
    Dawson watched the women go inside his house and couldn’t quit grinning. When he’d bought this big place, it had originally been his intention to set up his clinic here, but he’d quickly discovered his patients wanted the convenience of a veterinarian in town rather than out in the country. Then he’d dreamed of filling it one day with a wife and children.
    Never, not in his wildest dreams, had he imagined filling it with Lemurians and talking dogs. Luckily, it hadn’t been difficult at all to convince Ginny and Alton to give up their expensive casita. They’d been staying at that ritzy lodge north of town, but it felt right having everyone here, and he had more than enough room in the sprawling ranch-style house.
    “Ginny and her clothes.” Alton was laughing softly as he followed Daws back inside. “She’s easily sidetracked! Let me show you the reason we’re here, besides trying to rid my father of his demon.” He carried the rolled up blanket into the kitchen and set the bundle on the counter. Carefully, without touching the contents, Alton unwrapped and then unsheathed an amazing ruby sword. Larger than the crystal blade he carried, it had what appeared to be a solid gold pommel. The crystalline blade glowed a deep blood red.
    “Holy shit. Where’d that come from?” Dawson clenched his hands into fists to keep from touching the thing. Obviously, with the care Alton was showing, fondling someone else’s crystal sword wasn’t a good idea.
    Alton sighed. “It’s one of the replicated swords. The others are all clear crystal, like mine. This one shocked the nine hells out of Taron, especially when it asked to be taken to my grandfather, who supposedly died when we made the move from Lemuria to Mount Shasta. This morning, HellFire and DarkFire both pledged allegiance to the sword, but it didn’t say anything. There was a lot of glowing and an aura of true power, so we both sensed they were communicating. Then DarkFire said one word: