{"title":"Convergance Series Collection + Monster Queen Alpha","description":"\u003cp\u003eExplore the complete Convergance series featuring paranormal romance with dragons, fae, shifters, and monster lore.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"breakers-ruin-ebook","title":"Breaker’s Ruin – Convergance Book 2 | Paranormal Fantasy Romance (Ebook)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDaisy is the girl next door—until an arrogant dragon lord marks her as his next challenge. Breaker is power, pride, and dragon fire... until a devastating injury cuts him down.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNow the roles are reversed, and Daisy won’t put up with sulking—not even from a wounded legend. With magic still cracking the boundaries between worlds, she finds herself facing responsibilities she never asked for—and a dragon she might not be able to walk away from.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cem\u003eBook 2 in the Convergance Series delivers a clean fantasy romance full of slow-burn tension, wounded pride, and the kind of strength found in love, loss, and loyalty.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNovel. Heat level: sweet Does not contain adult content\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch1 style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e✨\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRead a sample now:\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch1 class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eCHAPTER 1\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e“\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eW\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003ehat are you doing here?”\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003eDaisy frowned at the man in her doorway. The insistent knocking had dragged her from her bed, and she wasn’t thrilled to see him. The man was too handsome for his own good, and unfortunately, he knew it. “Do you know what time it is?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eBreaker braced one hand on her door frame and gave her a slow, hot smile. Being a dragon made that second nature. “Hello, Daisy. We thought we’d visit.” He glanced over his shoulder, his expression less amused.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eSince he didn’t move, Daisy peered around his large body. She wouldn’t normally get that close, but she didn’t wake easily and the sleep haze made it seem okay.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eLit only by ambient light, a man wove closer, stumbling as he bumped into a table in the small chocolate factory. Something metal clattered to the floor. He cursed in a familiar voice and limped closer, muttering to himself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“Luke?” Daisy brushed Breaker aside for a closer look, uncomfortably aware of his hard heat. Not a bit of give on that one. She flinched when her brother Luke knocked over a pile of boxes, a puff of flame escaping his mouth. She backed up, wisely putting Breaker between her and the young dragon. Luke would never purposely hurt her, but he was strong. He’d be upset if he accidentally set her afire.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“He could walk by himself,” Breaker said sardonically. “Help wasn’t desired.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“Is he drunk?” she asked, concerned. Abruptly aware of her skimpy tank top and sleep shorts, she tightened the belt of her black cotton robe. She was twenty pounds over what was considered fashionable and acutely aware of her flaws. Conscious of her messy blond curls, she shoved a hand through the short, silky mass in an attempt to tame it.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eUgh! Now she was grooming for him.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eBreaker made room for Luke in the doorway, his bronze eyes watchful. Her living room light glinted off his black-green hair and the green scaled band around his neck, the sign of a green dragon. Scales protected the back of his hands and his black talons were politely blunted, though that could change in an instant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eHis wings had been transformed to black leather pants and boots, and his formfitting, partly unzipped leather jacket revealed a matte green t-shirt made of micro scales. A platinum medallion with his family crest winked on his chest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“I’m not drunk,” Luke said with dignity. “I’m stoned.” His indigo and silver coloring was echoed in his black-blue hair, and he wore a silver jacket over his inky blue leather pants and shirt.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eBreaker caught her look of outrage. “An older human woman up for a quick ride slipped something in his drink. I intercepted them as they were stumbling out the door.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eIncensed on Luke’s behalf, she stepped aside to let them in. “Did you call the cops?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eBreaker raised his brows as Luke dropped on her leather couch. “It wasn’t necessary. After I threatened to bite off her face, she apologized profusely and fled. I’ll have her watched for a few days.” His smile was sharp. “She’ll have more dragon men around than she can handle.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eDaisy grunted. She knew the woman would be investigated further; dragons weren’t forgiving. Somewhat mollified, she put her hands on her hips and stared at her brother. “Are you going to be all right? Why did you come here?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“Mom and Dad aren’t home. Dad said something about “warm sands for old bones”. I think they went south.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eDaisy blinked. Her mother was human and her first husband had been elven, resulting in Daisy’s Halfling status. She’d married a white dragon called Malcolm and had Luke when Daisy was six, much to Daisy’s delight. Daisy had spent the next ten years mothering him, and he’d returned the favor by being fiercely protective of her. It was no surprise he’d chose to crash at her place if he weren’t feeling well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eHer mom was the “artsy” type; a pretty blonde who’d reached middle age with the expectation men existed to take care of her. She was a loving, if scattered, parent.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“Odd. Usually they call. Malcolm is almost as absentminded as she is sometimes. I know he’s got to be at least fifty, but I swear he seems younger than she is.” Not that he \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e\u003ci\u003elooked\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e fifty, but there was a sense of age to Malcolm. His face might be unlined and his white hair thick, but at times he seemed almost otherworldly. He was also unbeatable at chess and a whiz with the NY Times crossword puzzle.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eBreaker looked mildly surprised. “Your father is as old as the hills, love! I’m not even sure how a dragon that old produced offspring.” He studied Luke as if he were a mystery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“He’s old?” she echoed, belatedly realizing she should offer refreshment. Or should she? It was after one in the morning. She’d rather kick them out and go back to bed. Not that she would do that to her brother. He was only seventeen, and clearly not feeling well. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eBreaker was another matter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“Of course he’s old,” Luke groused. “How did you not know that? Only old dragons are white. Bleached, they say.” His head flopped on the couch as he exhaled smoke. “That’s why he acts like a grumpy old man.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“They pale with age,” Breaker assured her, one eye on Luke. “I’d better stay until he sobers. Do you have tea?” Dragons loved firethorn tea with a mad love, and it was good for the fire organs. Every dragon household stocked it.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“Right. I’ll get you both a cup.” She rattled around the kitchen, conscious of how bizarre it was to have Verbreaker, the Skylord’s son and right hand, in her living room. Not that she normally thought of him like that. In fact, he was a frequent visitor to Bramble Burn, and she’d known him long enough to think of him as a dangerous pest. He \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e\u003ci\u003esaid\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e he came for the spectacular monster hunting in the park, but he’d made no secret of his interest in her.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eThe jerk.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eIt made her mad every time she thought about it. Sure, she was cute and curvy, if a bit plump for current fashion, but he could do better. He could have a dragon female if he chose; he simply thought he’d have a better shot at hatchlings with her.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eShe smacked a cup on the counter harder than she’d intended. She got it. He was a dragon and she was a changeling. Dragons couldn’t reproduce easily and females were rare. Daisy had a gene that would solve his need for an heir. There was no other reason for him to pursue a lowly biologist.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eThe cold logic of his plan hurt, but it was so typical of dragons. Brilliant creatures, they were sly, long-range planners. While they were fiercely protective of those they loved, trust came slowly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eMalcolm had been like that with her mother. Fire in courtship, ice once married, the saying went. Dragons married human women to have offspring, which were always born dragons-in-human-form. They kept their vows for the length of the mother’s life, but humans didn’t live long, not when compared to a dragon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eShe muttered to herself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“What’s not fair?” Breaker joined her at the kitchen counter and accepted tea for Luke and himself. “Thank you.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“Dragon lifespan,” she groused, deciding to leave the tea things out. They could make more if they liked while she went to bed.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eBreaker handed Luke his cup and smiled slyly. “You could live as long if you wished.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“You could,” Luke echoed with sudden enthusiasm, twisting around to look at her. “You should take Breaker. He’s a good catch.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“You’re drugged! You don’t know what you’re talking about,” she retorted. “Aren’t you supposed to snarl that no one is good enough for me? It’s what you do.” Malcolm didn’t even need to growl. He stared at any male who presumed to talk to her with chilling intent, nipping any potential flirting in the bud. Luke was as bad, terrifying her dates until word got out at college that her dragon family would devour anyone who looked at her.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eGraduation hadn’t improved the pool of eligible bachelors, because the drakes they’d introduced her to left her cold.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eIf she died unmarried, it wouldn’t be a surprise.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“That’s because you’re not smart enough to date a dragon,” Luke said reasonably.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“Maybe I don’t like dragons,” she griped. Breaker looked like he was enjoying their sibling squabble, and it made her grumpy. He didn’t need any more insight into her life.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“You like them,” Luke said confidently.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eStupid arrogant drake. “Maybe I don’t trust them,” she replied with false sweetness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eBreaker spread his arms. “Deadliest thing in the sky, and you let me into your living room.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eLuke snickered.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eArgh! “You don’t count,” she snapped. “I’m going to bed. You can let yourself out.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eBreaker sat in an overstuffed chair. He wouldn’t mind following her and finishing the conversation, but Luke needed watching. He seemed fine now, but drugs had unpredictable side effects. It wouldn’t do for him to transform and wreck his sister’s home. “Hot tempered, isn’t she?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eLuke snorted. “She needs to get married. Dad and I keep introducing her to suitable drakes, and she keeps running. I wish you luck.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“Do you? She’s your sister.” The young drake seemed nice enough, but he had to wonder at his motives. Was he ambitious?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eLuke fixed dilated eyes on him. “I’m drugged, not stupid. I want my sister to live a long time, and of course, choosing a dragon is the only sane thing to do. Why would she mate a human and choose a human lifespan, when she could live for hundreds or thousands of years?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“Love?” Not that he was motivated by love, but surely Luke was young enough to be romantic.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eLuke grunted. “My dad is ancient and my mom is human. I want my sister to live so I have family, but there’s no reason she can’t fall for a dragon.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“Not a romantic, I see. You definitely take after your father. He’s a cool planner, too.” He watched closely to gauge Luke’s reaction.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eLuke scowled. “My dad’s a good guy. He’s just…old. Stuffy.” He chewed on that. “Absentminded unless a danger is right under his nose.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“He’s also been an adviser to three kings, an ambassador and a warrior. He’s outlived all of his generation. I’m glad he made certain to preserve his bloodline, but he doesn’t seem to have shared much of his personal history. I could loan you a biography, if you like. I have one of the most accurate ones.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“There’s more than one?” Luke asked, surprised.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“He’s famous, one of our treasures. I’ll have it delivered.” Daisy might not realize, but any drake would think it an honor to marry Malcolm’s adopted daughter. The fact that she was one of the rare elf hybrids with the gene to become a dragon only made her more attractive. Even if she hadn’t been lusciously plump and pretty, she’d have a flock of suitors.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eThinking of her scent made his eyes narrow in pleasure. She smelled like romance in a pine forest on a bed of wintergreen, cool and clean. The distinctive changeling smell lingered pleasantly in the living room, distracting him.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eHe glanced away from her bedroom door and looked out the living room window. Daisy lived inside a giant hollow tree, and the view of Bramble Burn Park was magnificent. The owner, Juniper Bjorn, was a tree mage who’d taken a burned out, monster infested park and turned it into a magical paradise. Except in the warded area, there were still monsters, much to his delight. The forest was excellent hunting, and he kept up his membership with the werewolves who oversaw Juniper’s hunting lodge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eJuniper’s tree, the Iron Oak, was visible across the lawn. Sheathed in iron against monsters, it had a bud-shaped greenhouse on top, currently shuttered in giant iron leaves. Heavily pregnant, she lived there with her werewolf husband.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eDaisy was friends with her. That could be useful.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eLuke was asleep. He pondered the boy, considered how he could use him to further his sister’s courtship. He’d already indicated a willingness to see them mated, and he’d be a sly collaborator.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003eWith a smile of anticipation, he settled back to scheme. Daisy could thank him later.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"center\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003e***\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003es Daisy drank\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003e her coffee, she noted a thick, leather bound book on her counter. It hadn’t been there last night,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e so she assumed it belonged to one of her guests. With a blink to clear morning cobwebs, she reached for her glasses and read the title,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e\u003ci\u003e “Brilliance at Work, a Biography of Malcolm the Silver\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e”.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eShe sat back, floored. Someone had written a biography about Malcolm? The script was draconian, and it had been published eleven years ago. Intrigued, she scanned the table of contents, and her jaw dropped when she saw each section covered hundreds of years. Did her mom know this? He’d never said anything.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eThe mesh of iron flowers that protected her tree retracted with a metallic grind as the sun rose, distracting her. She glanced out the window as the shadow of dragon wings fell over the balcony. Breaker and Luke landed in human form and strode inside, letting in a draft of cool autumn air.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“Hey, sis! The hunting here is awesome. You should come sometime,” Luke said with a grin. He kissed her cheek and confiscated the banana she’d set near her coffee, putting it back in the fruit bowl with a contemptuous sneer. “Fruit is not food.” He grabbed the ingredients for firethorn tea and rummaged in the fridge, completely at home in her kitchen.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“Don’t tell me what you ate, thanks. I haven’t had breakfast yet,” she said mildly, ignoring his jibe. It was an old argument. She nodded hello to Breaker. “Did you bring this book?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“I did. I thought it would be educational. Luke said your father hasn’t told you much of his history. It’s fascinating reading.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eShe raised her brows. “You sound like you admire him.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“Any dragon who’s survived nearly two thousand years is worth studying. The history he must have seen.” He sounded almost wistful.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“Two thousand! That’s crazy,” she said. The book had said as much, but she hadn’t done more than glance at it. “Have you actually met him? I mean, he’s so…normal. I wouldn’t say boring, but…”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“You’d think it,” Luke said cheerfully. He put together a breakfast sandwich for her while he waited for the tea kettle to boil. Loaded with meat, pickled peppers, tomatoes and homemade mustard, it sizzled as he toasted it in a pan.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“We’ve met, but never talked. He’s not much for conversation,” Breaker admitted.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“Lesser mortals are boring,” Luke said sagely. “He’d rather chat with old physics teachers or astronomers.” He slid a perfectly toasted sandwich in front of Daisy. “Eat up.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“Thanks. You’d make an excellent house husband one day,” she teased.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“Smart Alec.” He snapped her butt with a kitchen towel, making her laugh, and handed Breaker tea.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eBreaker tilted his head. “You’re very close, aren’t you? It’s nice to see siblings getting along.” A hint of his age crept in his tone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eDaisy snorted. “Careful, old man. Your years are showing.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eHe sent her a fierce stare.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“And now you’re trying to intimidate your much-too-young love interest. Tut-tut.” Daisy felt a thrill as she defied him, enjoying the challenge. He thought he was so invincible, so irresistible. Skylord’s son, hah! Someone needed to prick his ego.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eLuke sent her a considering look. “I’m going to enjoy the sunrise. I’ll be on the balcony.” He took his tea with him.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eBreaker watched him go. His bronze eyes took her measure, noted her unease. “You don’t look quite as sassy with your brother gone.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eThat starched her spine. “Hey, your daddy might be the Skylord, but mine is apparently legendary. Besides, you won’t hurt me.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eHis smile was sly. “I won’t?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“Now you’re just being difficult,” she said firmly, ignoring her unease. She couldn’t allow him to intimidate her. “Your father would never stand for the bad press, and Juniper would compost you.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eHe couldn’t help a smile. Her neighbor had a reputation, and the power to back it up. “She’d enjoy that, wouldn’t she? I notice you didn’t threaten me with your father or brother. Not scared enough for the big guns?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“Do I need them?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eHis smile was slow, and somehow more genuine. “No.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eShe took a moment to really look at him. Dragon traits and all, he was a handsome man. If she hadn’t grown up with drakes, she might have found him intimidating, but she understood what made him tick. “I’m not going to marry you, Breaker. Dragons are heart breakers. I’d rather have human love and die in a blink than settle for a cold contract with you.” There. That was clear enough.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eHis gaze warmed. “What if I promise you heat?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eShe snorted. “It wouldn’t last past the wedding. Juniper’s mom tried it, but Indris couldn’t deliver. She’s seeing a teacher now and he’s with his long lost dragon love. They both seem happier.” The dissolution of her parents’ marriage had hurt Juniper, but it was also a valuable lesson. “It’s the reason Juniper didn’t want to marry you, either.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eThe challenge didn’t sit well with him. “The werewolf was already in the picture, and her parents’ marriage has no bearing on this situation.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eShe tapped her mug nervously. “Then there’s Malcolm and Mom. They get along and he takes care of her, but they’re like an old married couple. No zip, you know?” She’d heard her friends complain about hearing their parents make love, but she’d never had that problem. Except for the occasional affectionate peck, her parents seemed more like friends than lovers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eHis gaze wandered over her. They were on opposite sides of the counter, but it still made her breath hitch. “I’m not two thousand years old, pet. I have many, many years of fire left in me.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eSuddenly shy, she focused on her coffee. “That’s nice. You can find a dragon lady to share them. I’m not interested.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eHe laughed, dark and deep. “You noted my age, love. I’ve not lived this long without understanding women. But we’ll do this your way.” He rose and paced around the counter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eShe didn’t get what he was after, so she didn’t dodge until it was too late.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eHe snaked an arm around her waist and moved so their faces were nearly touching. He breathed deep, his eyes shuttered as he sampled her reaction. “I can smell your excitement, pet. You like being close to me.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eShe pressed a shaky hand against his chest, but there was no give. “Breaker,” she warned.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“Your heart is hammering. You’re a little afraid, but you want to know what it’ll be like.” His voice was a purr of temptation. He shifted, making her jump, and smiled at her reaction. “Maybe my height intimidates you. We should make this fair.” He set her on the counter and stepped close.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“This is \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e\u003ci\u003enot\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e better,” she tried to snap, but it came out breathy. He had her so close to the counter’s edge, she had to hold his shoulders for balance.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eHis voice was deep, and the look in his eyes... “I want you, woman; you thrill me. Such a pretty girl.” He nuzzled her cheek, making her shiver.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eShe didn’t mean to make an encouraging sound. It just slipped out. She made a soft sound, her eyes closing. Her lips parted in anticipation. This was it. He was going to kiss her.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eShe’d thought about it, for all her protestations. Breaker was a handsome man. She couldn’t let him know that, of course, because he was too vain for his own good. In private, she could admit he was amazing. If only his heart were engaged...but it wasn’t, and never would be. Dragons had cold hearts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eIt didn’t stop her from being torn.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eOblivious to her thoughts, he smiled against her skin. He thought he was seducing her. “If you want a kiss, darling, you’ll have to come and get it.” He pulled away, his eyes glowing. So slick, so practiced. “For you, it’s always a yes.” He removed his medallion and slipped it over her head. “I put my number in your phone. Call anytime.” He strode for the balcony.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eShe woke from her daze, feeling angry and cheated. How many women had he seduced to get that smooth? Disgusted with herself, she tugged at the necklace and discovered it wouldn’t come off. It shrank, becoming daintier and more suitable for a woman, but despite its new size, it wouldn’t rise more than two inches from her chest. “Breaker, wait! Take this off.” She raced after him. He couldn’t leave her wearing his medallion! Everyone would think he’d staked a claim.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eHe soared off the balcony as she reached the doors, the swipe of his wings blasting her hair as he transformed into a beast the size of a C-17 cargo plane. Early morning light glinted off his emerald scales, shown through his inky wings. In moments the huge dragon was a mere speck, safely out of reach.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eRobbed of her target, she turned on her brother. “Thanks for all the help!”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“You’re the one who started flirting.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“I wasn’t! He makes me mad. I had to do something about his ego.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eLuke glanced at her neck. “Looks like he left you a gift.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eShe tugged at it. “It won’t come off. Can you remove it?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eHe picked it up, his expression thoughtful. “Is it hurting?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“Of course not, but it’s…you know what this is, don’t you?” she asked suspiciously. “Is this like a class ring, or is he telling the world we’re engaged or something?” Luke knew more about the minutia of dragon culture. She’d never hung out with him and his dragon friends, partly because of the age gap and partly because she never felt at home in that crowd. Unless they were family, unmated drakes were trouble.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eShe didn’t trust Breaker not to try to own her.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eLuke smirked. “Definitely not. He could give it to a child, and everyone would know she was under his protection. On someone like you…well, it might lead to speculation.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“So get it off!” She hated when he was stubborn, and she had a suspicion this was going to be one of those times. “Please.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“Even if I could, I’d rather you kept it on until Dad gets home. You may not have noticed, but drakes have been watching you lately. Your changeling scent has gotten stronger, and it’s drawing them like bees to nectar.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eHer eyes got big. The last thing she wanted was to attract more drake attention. “Why didn’t you tell me?” She would have rolled in dead salmon or something.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“I just did. Besides, you know all those drakes we’ve introduced lately? They keep requesting introductions. Dad’s been vetting them, but honestly, I think he’s a bit annoyed with them. I think they might be on vacation so you can sort it out.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“What? How can he desert me like that?” Panic threatened. Strange drakes made her nervous. She was far too aware of how powerful they were, and their confidence intimidated her. Thanks to her brother, she’d barely dated, had no experience with handling men. The art of flirting escaped her, and she did not appreciate being left to her own devices now.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“You’re the one who claims to hate our interference.” She shivered, so he led the way inside, where it was warmer. “You’re getting what you wanted, so why are you complaining?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eHis reasonable tone made her want to hit him. “You’re distracting me on purpose! Take the necklace off, please, or I’ll find someone else to do it.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eHe shrugged and grabbed another cup of tea. “You can take it off any time you want, sis. You just have to want to.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eShe looked at him suspiciously, but tried to remove the medallion. It didn’t work. She sent him an accusing look.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eHe laughed and raised his hand defensively. “I’m not doing it, word of honor! He’s linked it to your will. If you don’t want him, it’ll fall off.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eHer face flamed. “I don’t want him!”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eThey both looked at the pendant. It stayed put.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“Hm,” he said, his eyes dancing.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eShe pointed a finger at him. “This is your fault!” If he hadn’t brought Breaker here last night, this never would have happened.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eI\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e made you lust after Breaker?” he asked with mock dismay.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eIt felt as if the top of her head was going to blow off. “That’s it! I’m going to talk to Juniper.” Juniper had skills, and if she couldn’t figure out how to get the necklace off, she knew plenty of dragons who could.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“Good luck with that,” her brother said cheerfully, and plopped on her sofa to watch TV.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca name=\"Two\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e \u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 2\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJ\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003eunip\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003eer studied the medallion and sat back with a thoughtful look. “Breaker did this, huh?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“Can you get it off?” Daisy fidgeted. The modern, open concept kitchen and living room inside the Iron Oak was warm and welcoming, but it failed to soothe her. The gold felt warm, and impossibly, smelled of Breaker’s delicious musk. It was horribly distracting.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eKjetil, Juniper’s werewolf husband, refreshed his wife’s coffee cup; Daisy hadn’t touched hers. Juniper was pregnant with twins, and she had a difficult time getting anything done with his protective hovering. “It smells like him.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“So I’m not imagining it! My brother claimed it wouldn’t come off…um, that he couldn’t take it off.” She wasn’t eager to share his damning explanation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eJuniper smiled, as if privy to an inside joke. Pregnancy had plumped her tall, lanky frame; she was all legs and stomach. Her hair touched her shoulders now and she shared loving glances with her ruggedly handsome husband, but she’d never been a fool. She’d probably figured it out. “He’s right. It’s tied to your will.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eDaisy slumped. For some reason, she felt like crying.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eKjetil put on his boots, sensing the need for girl talk, and smart enough to make a run for it. “I’m going to check on the hunting lodge. Call if you need me, Jun.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eJuniper waved and then looked at Daisy with compassion. “Sucks to like a heart breaker, doesn’t it?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eDaisy sighed. “I don’t like dragons. You know why. I’ve avoided drakes my whole life and now my brother tells me I smell like their catnip. My dad’s taken vacation so he doesn’t have to referee. I think he knew what would happen with Breaker! Maybe they planned it,” she admitted, dejected.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“Trust me, it’s not better when they hover,” Juniper said sagely. “You know how Indris was. Stepfather or not, a dragon’s not any less protective of his daughters.” She glanced out the window, reluctantly amused. “Looking back on it, I think Indris set me up.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“See? I knew it! It makes no sense for him to take off and let Breaker “protect” me. He’s decided Breaker will make a good mate, and he’s giving him a chance to prove it.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“So tell him to take a hike,” Juniper suggested. “He won’t force you.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“I know that,” Daisy retorted. “That’s not the problem.” She took a sip of her coffee and blinked. “This isn’t our greenhouse blend.” She ought to know; she managed the greenhouse in the Chestnut, as well as the new greenhouse, the Iron Thorn.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eThe Chestnut’s ground floor was a garage, ensuring safe parking for multiple vehicles. It had a separate space for a bricked, amber lit root cellar. The second and third floors were climate controlled greenhouses and the fourth was a food processing\/office area with a separate, two-bedroom apartment furnished in simple elegance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eFrom the outside, it looked like a wooden cylinder protecting amber windows. The amber reflected a rainbow of colors, obscuring the tree’s contents while letting in light. Vines of iron flowers swathed the tree, ready to interlock and form a barrier if the tree was threatened.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eThe tree also had a lift for transporting goods and people between floors. It was attached via a sky bridge to the Iron Thorn greenhouse.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003eThe Iron Thorn had a frame of iron thorns supporting glass panes. At night the iron thorns closed over the glass, protecting it from stray monsters. In addition to vegetables, the greenhouses grew bananas, chocolate and coffee. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eGourmet \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003ecoffee. They had a bunch of interns from the university dedicated to research and production.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“Decaf. Kjetil’s taking care of me,” Juniper said mournfully. “I showed him the Brazilian studies that proved caffeine in moderation was fine, and explained that the American study used the equivalent of fifty to seventy cups of coffee \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e\u003ci\u003ea day\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e on rats to cause birth defects, but it didn’t work. He still serves decaf.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“I’m sorry,” Daisy commiserated. “Sneak over to my tree and I’ll give you the real thing.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eJuniper tapped her nose. “He’s a werewolf. He’ll know.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eDaisy winced. “At least there’s chocolate.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“And lemon. I love lemon,” Juniper agreed. “About your problem; I have a distraction if you like. You remember the rock mage? He has weird plants growing in the Quarry. He asked if I could look at samples; see if they’re a problem.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eDaisy perked up. “Any new species?” The Quarry sat on several acres that had once held a casino, a prison and a quarry. When the Convergence had merged the worlds of Earth and the elven world, Gwyllon, it had led to all kinds of weird magical pockets. The Quarry was known for birthing rock trolls and nasty, skittering things. Like Juniper, Scott Geiger had seen potential in the twisted real estate. Occasionally, he called Juniper to bounce around ideas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“Maybe. Unfortunately, the samples degrade once they leave the Quarry. Only stone seems to thrive outside its boundaries.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“Wow. I’d love to take a look at that.” Like most scientists, Daisy was beset with curiosity, and she loved to explore new things.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003eIt’s dangerous,” Juniper cautioned. “You’ll need backup. Would your brother go with you?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003eAre you kidding? He’s always up for an adventure.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003eAwesome! When do you want to start?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"center\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003e***\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eM\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003eonday morning, Daisy flew with her brother to the Quarry. From the air, she could see fields of grain stubble, some of which had been plowed and planted with winter wheat. There were scattered houses and the small town of Airway Heights clustered around Highway 2. Bey\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003eond that was the commercial airfield with its red and white checkered water tower, right next to the air force base.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eOn the opposite side of the road lay the Quarry. Smoke rose in lazy curls from steaming pools of lava and mud, and she could see the shadow of darting things hunting in the concrete ruins.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eThis only made the six story towers of basalt more impressive. Octagonal, the dull, charcoal colored towers had polished, faceted black window trim. The mirrored windows reflected pink, purple and turquoise, adding needed color. There were four towers, one per city block. Roads and sidewalks had already been laid, and there was a park in the center with stone bridges, benches and sculptures. The bare dirt where there should be grass and trees gave it a harsh, unfinished look.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eIn contrast, the tethered BAT generator overhead looked cheerful and festive. Floating at 3,000 ft, the helium tube had a wind turbine suspended inside and stubby stabilizing fins. It was also painted like a Chinese dragon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“That is so cool,” her brother murmured, a trickle of smoke escaping his mouth. “Now I’m looking forward to meeting this guy.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“Look at that,” Daisy said, knowing it wasn’t necessary to raise her voice with dragon hearing. “He built an arena. I wonder why?” The coliseum had a ring of basalt pillars for the outside, and the seats were ash gray stone overlooking a sandy floor. Eight towers with private viewing boxes provided an excellent view…if one had dragon vision.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“Sports. Monster trucks, gladiator fight pit, dirt bikes… Cool.” Luke sounded intrigued.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eLuke circled, heading for the tower with a large, decorative red tile on top with a white number one. A quick look showed each tower had a distinctive tile, reminding her of dragon house numbers. Had he designed the towers with dragons in mind?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eTwo men stepped out into the gently dished roof that probably housed a water catchment system. As they got closer, she recognized Breaker’s scowling face. Was he following her?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“What are you doing here?” she asked as she slid off Luke’s back. Her brother assumed human form, his expression also curious.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“I’m one of the co-owners of the Quarry,” Breaker growled. “Geiger didn’t tell me you were coming until a minute ago.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eConfused, she looked at the rock mage. Scott Geiger was tall, lean but fit. His dark hair was short and he appeared in his late twenties, with a harshly cut face most would call ugly. A rough cut black gem on a leather thong hung around his neck and a rustic stone baton was sheathed at his belt. He was also on crutches, his right leg in a brace. “I thought you owned the Quarry?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“It turns out I’m not much for the minutia of city planning,” he admitted. “I’m great at shaping stone, but the monsters are a bit much. Lord Verbreaker here has been very useful. He says you’ve met?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eShe flushed, unwilling to go into detail. “Yes. What did you do to your leg?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eHe sighed. “Rock trolls. Why don’t we go inside so I can sit? You want anything to drink? We’ve got coffee, tea, water…”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“Good coffee,” Breaker clarified. “Juniper gave him some.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“In that case, sure. It’s a bit brisk for flying,” Daisy said gladly, shedding her coat and gloves as they entered a warm stone stairwell lit by window slits invisible from the outside. It ended in a landing with a hammered copper door that opened into a spacious apartment. The walls were a light brown with wide veins of shiny gold, reflecting the light from the tall, narrow windows.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“Pyrite. Fool’s gold,” Luke whispered, his dragon senses tingling. “Pretty, though.” The living room couches and chairs were black iron with leather cushions and the matching coffee table had a beaten copper top. The kitchen counter was also beaten copper, and the cabinets had been formed of polished brown stone. Copper pots hung from a pot rack and white appliances completed the light-filled kitchen.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“Wow! I’m impressed.” She perched on a bar stool and ran her hand over the counter. She frowned when Scott set his crutches aside to hop around. “Do you need help?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“I’m good,” he said, sliding over a steaming mug. He placed the tea pot on the counter and handed Luke a cup. “Help yourself.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“Now that you’re settled, I want to know what you think you’re doing,” Breaker said sternly. “This isn’t a suitable place for you to work. What was Juniper thinking?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“I brought Luke,” Daisy said calmly. “I’m not reckless. Besides, I thought Scott would be with us. No one told me he was hurt.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eScott shook his head ruefully. “Sorry. I’m out of the field until I’m able to run for my life again. Truthfully, I’d rather concentrate on the building. I just got the sewer and filtration systems up and running, and we’ve got electricians coming. They’re dragons, so I won’t have to babysit. No offense intended.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“Dragons,” she said slowly. “Are you building a dragon city?” She looked at Breaker.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“Dragon and human,” he answered. “But the Quarry isn’t safe enough for humans yet, and that means you.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“But you’re not in charge,” she said sweetly. “Are you? Scott invited me, and I’m ready to get to work. Luke won’t let me get hurt.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eBreaker swept Luke a brief glance. “I’ve had two experienced dragons injured here in the last two weeks, and they were in dragon form at the time. I think Luke would agree that’s unacceptable.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eScott held up a hand to prevent an escalating argument. “Whoa! She doesn’t have to go deeper into the Quarry. What about the area around the towers? She can give me a heads up on the weed situation; tell me if I should choke them out. Maybe she’ll have a few ideas for the park, too. I have a black thumb, but surely there’s something that will grow there.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eDaisy looked at Breaker. “I’ll even let you tag along to make sure nothing eats me,” she said with a charming smile. “In fact, I’m sure you’ll insist on it.” He didn’t look impressed, so she said seriously, “I’m not suicidal, Breaker. I’m happy to listen to orders as long as they’re designed to keep me safe. I believe you’ll do that.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eScott looked between them with interest. “Something going on between you two?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“Yes.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“No.” Daisy frowned. “Don’t be stubborn.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eHis eyes narrowed. “If Luke will agree to remain in dragon form, ready to snatch you away, you may go. I’ll accompany you. Between the two of us, you should be able to survive an hour.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eGetting a dragon to do anything he didn’t want to was a big deal, so she didn’t try to negotiate. She could do that later. “Great!” She turned to Scott. “Tell me which weeds are a concern.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eHe waved a hand. “All of them. I’m no gardener. In fact, I toyed with the idea of paving the whole area, but Juniper talked me out of it. She says grass and trees will deflect the summer heat, and she suggested edible landscaping.” He grimaced. “I don’t want to deal with dropped fruit, but she had a point about the need to hire landscapers anyway.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“Definitely,” Daisy agreed fervently. “Food security is a big thing.” The Convergence had disrupted transportation and the food supply, and the world was still recovering. Although rationing had mostly ended, there were shortages, and home gardens were important. “You know, with your skills, you could make an amazing greenhouse.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“Yeah.” He didn’t look thrilled. “Maybe later. Anyway, the weeds tend to disintegrate when they leave the Quarry, so you’ll have to take pictures or video if you want to show Juniper. Let me know which ones I can smother.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“Sure. I’ll write a report. I also brought special sample bottles that might preserve the plants. I’ll let you know how that works.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“Great. I appreciate your trouble.” He slid a gold coin across the counter. Pre-payment. Have fun.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eDaisy waited until they were on the roof, safely out of earshot, before commenting, “He doesn’t have many social skills, does he?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“No, but he’s excellent at what he does. Are you ready?” Breaker waited until she climbed onto Luke’s dragon form before he spiraled around the tower, the sun glinted on his emerald scales as he checked for danger. He landed in the barren park and signaled for them to join him.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“This place has so much potential,” Daisy murmured as her feet hit the dirt. She took pictures for reference. “Remind me to get shots from the top of the tower. It will help with the planning. Imagine what a row of cherry trees would look like in bloom.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eHer brother snorted at the mention of fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“Hush.” She took samples of the dirt before turning her attention to the plants. “These look like black coral,” she said, carefully examining a plant from a distance. “Do you know anything about these, Breaker?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“They crunch underfoot and they’re not carnivorous,” he offered, his massive head up, alert for danger.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“That’s a plus.” Wearing gloves and using pruning shears, she snapped off a piece and put it in her sample baggie. Using her phone, she took a picture and used the voice recorder to save time as she gave details of the sample.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“Now this is interesting,” she said as she noticed a silver tumbleweed rolling across the dirt. Shaped like a sphere, it seemed to be made of silver wire, and was obviously light if the wind could move it.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eBreaker trapped it with his taloned foot. “I can’t tell if it’s sharp, but it rusts away if it leaves the Quarry.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“Maybe Scott could coat it with something and sell it as an ornament. It’s pretty,” she said, accustomed to Juniper finding a use for everything.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eA curl of smoke escaped Breaker’s nose when he quietly laughed. “Geiger doesn’t need that sort of thing, love. He’s a metal mage. If he wants money, he pulls gold from the ground. It might be something a tenant could do, however.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eShe scowled. “It’s part of my job to find uses for plants.” She’d never had to be thrifty with Malcolm as a father, but she’d known plenty of poor students who did. His dismissal felt arrogant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“Why are you angry? I wasn’t insulting you.” One great eye focused on her, the slit-pupil as big as a tire.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eShe scanned the ground for her next sample, moving closer to a neon yellow-green spike sticking out of the ground. It was fat like a hot dog and about as big, but smooth like a broom handle. She fetched her tongs and prepared a sample bag. “Making money isn’t a crime. Some of my favorite people don’t have any.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“What has that to do with you?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“Forget it.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“No. I want to hear this. You’re the daughter of a dragon and want for nothing. Do you wish that to change?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“Guilt,” Luke said succinctly. “She always had to hide her diamonds in school, even though it would shame our family, because others were jealous. She put them on when she went back home, but I visited her at school.” He’d pitched a fit, too. Diamonds were a sign of pride in a daughter, a symbol of love. It was taboo to go without, as it implied lack of love.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“It’s better to blend in,” she said, jaw tight.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“They bullied you because they thought you had money,” Luke said bluntly. “How is that better than tormenting someone because they’re poor? Or human?” Their father couldn’t abide bullies and had taught them the same. Trouble was, he didn’t have to deal with them.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“If it makes you feel better, I’d like you even if you were naked and poor,” Breaker said generously.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“Hey! My \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e\u003ci\u003ebrother\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e,” she said, blushing furiously.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“Is finding this very interesting,” Luke teased.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“Shut up,” she growled, jabbing the tongs at the plant…which quickly disappeared into the ground. Suddenly she was snatched, the tongs falling from her hand as Luke’s clawed paw scooped her up, smashing her sample bag against her ribs. The ground fell away, along with her stomach, and she was grateful when her feet settled firmly on the top of the tower.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eBreaker joined them, shifting to human form as he landed seconds later. “Are you hurt?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eShe settled her clothes. “No, but Luke scared the crap out of me!” Her heart was hammering.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eHe looked at Luke. “Excellent reflexes.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eSuddenly worried, she asked, “Why? Do you know what that was?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“No, but anything that moves is suspect. For all we know, it could be a flesh eating worm. The ground is crawling with them now.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eShe looked over the low wall on the edge of the balcony, but even squinting, couldn’t see a thing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eLuke glanced over, “Ugh! Maybe we should flame them.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“Not without a sample,” she protested. “It could be something useful, and it’s irresponsible to destroy a creature without knowing anything about it.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eThe men exchanged looks of disgust. Clearly, they had other thoughts on the matter, but they were also the first line of defense against aggressors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“I’m not saying let it eat anyone,” she protested. “I’m not stupid. It’s just…”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“If you need one, I’ll collect it,” Breaker said firmly. “It’s time for you to go home.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eThat stung. “Like a child?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eHe stepped closer. “Like a woman I don’t want injured.” He looked at her chest where the medallion was hidden under her clothes. “You don’t want me injured, either, do you?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eIt was pure manipulation, she thought rebelliously, but admitting she didn’t want him harmed would be a slippery slope. “Fine. We may as well see if these samples survive before I waste time collecting more. Ready, Luke?” She fished out her goggles and zipped her coat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“Say hello to Juniper for me,” Breaker said in farewell.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eShe shot him a look. “You just want to tweak her husband’s nose.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eHe smiled and didn’t deny it. “I’ll see you later.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eThere was no point in telling him no. It’s not like he was a stray dog she could spray with the garden hose...sadly. However, she was going to make sure Luke was home when he visited; she didn’t want Breaker getting any ideas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"center\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003e***\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI’\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003em not suicidal.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003eLuke’s wings stalled. He wobbled and swore as they dropped several feet. “What the garbage, sis? You nearly m\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003eade me crash!”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eShe laughed ruefully; she could have worded that better. “Sorry! We need to talk about why I don’t want Breaker. It’s not because he’s a dragon.” Mostly. She still thought they were cool and calculating. “I know you like him, but I’m not getting married without love.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“So? Find another dragon to love. It doesn’t have to be him, although it’s obvious you have the hots for him.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“I’ve been in love before, you know. Sleeping with a guy isn’t the same as love or commitment. Wanting someone doesn’t last if the rest of it isn’t there.” There was a guy in high school, someone she’d loved from afar for nine years. She thought she’d never find ‘the one’, not really, and she was curious. She thought everyone else was doing it… For a bright girl, she could be so stupid. Once was enough to know that she’d made a mistake.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eEven though they’d used a condom, she’d worried about pregnancy. When that didn’t materialize, she’d still felt terrible. What they’d done hadn’t been worth the hour of fleeting pleasure, and when she’d realized what a loser she’d picked, she felt even dumber. It had been high school, and he’d talked. Of course he’d talked.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eEven if he’d kept his mouth shut, it was depressing. “Sex without love is like chocolate without sugar; not worth the effort.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“Says you,” he retorted. “Ugh! I could have died happily without ever discussing it.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“You’re the one who’s always trying to derail my love life.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“Clearly, that didn’t work,” he growled.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eShe sighed. “Breaker doesn’t love me, and he never will. He wants to own me, to have children, but not because he cares. Do you know how that will hurt me? Not just me, but my kids? Do you want to see your nephews or nieces suffering over this?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eHe grumbled. “You could be completely wrong.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“Oh, really? Name the reasons,” she challenged. She’d given this a lot of thought.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“I think you’re scared.” He paused, let it sink deep. “Breaker can’t be controlled, and you’ve never been a risk taker. You can’t plan everything and love can’t be collared.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eShe sat there, stunned. “I don’t have to control everything.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eHe didn’t say anything.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“I don’t! I moved into Bramble Burn, and that was huge risk!” There were monsters, but it had been worth it. Her parents had even yelled at her. She’d been proud of herself.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“Fine. You don’t like Breaker, so let me fix you up with a friend of mine I think you’ll like. He’s rock musician, and his band’s doing well.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“Oh…ah, I don’t date musicians. They’re…”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“You’re stereotyping him and you haven’t even met. He’s a nice guy.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“They have a rep for a reason!”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“Fine. I know a fighter pilot,” he began.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“Always gone,” she said quickly.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eHis silence said it all.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eShe groaned.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“Sis, you’re a coward.” He said it gently, with a great deal of pity. “You’re going to bury yourself in work, probably become very successful, because you’re smart like that, but you will never, ever take a chance on anyone. You’re going to miss out on Mr. Right, and one day, when you’re older and regret being alone, you’ll settle on a boring professor or worse.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“That’s cruel,” she whispered, her throat tight…afraid he was right.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“That would be criminal,” he agreed, “so it’s a good thing you have me. I’m going all in, supporting a guy who’ll light your house on fire so you’ll run outside and breathe fresh air. Now hang on.” He began to climb, shooting into the gloomy, gray sky.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“What are you doing?” she asked, afraid she knew. She felt the vibration as he chuckled. Oh, no! “I don’t want to skydive, Luke!”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eHis wings beat faster, eager to reach altitude. He pumped until the air got thin, hovered for a moment to prolong the anticipation, and dived. She gripped the safety harness for dear life and screamed. Her stomach flipped as they fell, spiraling for good measure. “I’ll kill you for this!”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“Too bad you don’t have wings,” he taunted. “You could be in charge.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eShe shrieked as he did a roll. “I’m going to puke on you!” She saw a couple of curious dragons winging closer. Luke called a greeting, inviting the others to play. One held back, perhaps making sure that all was well, but the other, a green-black, began to weave in patterns around them, joining in the fun.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eAnd she forgot to be afraid.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"center\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003e***\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eS\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003ehe was high on adrenaline when they joined the other dragon, Mik, at a favorite Irish pub. Modeled on the European, family friendly pubs, it served as a gathering place for all ages and served excellent fish and chips. Juniper was enthusiastically downing her portion as Luke and his buddies chatted, their group merry. They’d collected another two dragons when they’d walked in, and the guys had waved them over to their table. Two were dragons, the other a Halfling like \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003eher; Sawyer, the rock musician.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“So how come I’ve never met you?” Sawyer said, leaning closer. Red haired, with a full sleeve tattoo, he was a looker, and as Luke had promised, a nice guy. “Luke’s mentioned you several times.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eShe shook her head. “I guess I don’t get out much.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“That’s a crime. My band’s playing tonight; I can get you free passes.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eShe opened her mouth to waffle and Luke kicked her. She glared at him.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“We’d love that,” Luke said firmly. “I’m working on a project to corrupt my workaholic sister, and I need all the help I can get.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“Hey!”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eThe guys laughed, the dragons looking her over playfully.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eShe didn’t like the attention. “I thought you were busy trying to hook me up with Breaker.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eLuke snorted. “You said you didn’t like him.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eThe table quieted. “Breaker? Did you mean Lord Verbreaker, the Skylord’s son?” one of the dragons said carefully.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eShe ate a chip. “Maybe.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“But she’s not his property,” Luke pointed out. “Fair game.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“That’s good news,” Sawyer said with satisfaction. “Make him work for it, I say.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eShe raised her glass to him. “Someone should. He’s too arrogant.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“There’s a reason for that,” one of the dragons, Mik, said mildly.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eThe other winked.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Autumn Dawn","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45719666819300,"sku":"BreakersRuin_Ebook","price":7.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0661\/9771\/7220\/files\/Breakers_Ruin_2025_ebook.jpg?v=1741208826"},{"product_id":"black-hound-ebook","title":"Black Hound – Book 3 in the Convergance Series | Clean Fantasy Romance (Ebook)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMetal mage Rue Smith rules the Yard with junkyard magic, killer robots, and zero patience for dark elves or corporate creeps. But even the most powerful mage on the planet can’t fight fate alone...\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eIt’s been thirty years since the Convergence, when Earth collided with Gwyllon, the fae realm once known as “Underhill.” Now, the lines between magic and survival are razor-thin.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMetal mage Rue Smith is no one’s fool. When dark elves try to invade her junkyard and trick her out of precious black metal, she fights dirty. With killer robots and a floating Watchtower made from classic cars, she dominates the monster plagued Yard and terminates the bad guys. Despite deafening construction on the dwarf fortress next door and unwanted attraction to her evil security chief, she kicks monster butt and holds her own with the city’s elite, until a near fatal accident almost ruins it all. One of the most powerful metal mages on the planet, she’s used to going it alone, but she’s going to need friends to tame the Yard’s wild magic.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNovel. Heat level: sweet. Contains no graphic love scenes. Expect reasonable amounts of gore as monster heads explode and plenty of action.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch1 style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e✨\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRead a sample now:\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003ePrologue\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eR\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eue’s eyes were on her father even as the guards pushed her to her knees. The black stone bruised her kneecaps, but her father was taking a beating. A fist hit his stomach and he doubled over, dry heaving. She cried out and lunged for him, struggling against the guards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eThe woman in front of her scoffed. She was a dark elf, with obsidian skin and braided white hair and was clearly in charge. Her smoke gray robe brushed the design in the stone floor, and she looked smug, as if she’d accomplished something great. She sent an amused glance at Rue’s father’s systematic thrashing, the smack of fists on flesh echoing from the stone walls.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eA black dog prowled the perimeter of the round stone room, yellow eyes glowing. Was he a pet? Definitely a threat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eRue searched desperately, pushing her magic, but there wasn’t a speck of mined metal anywhere. They’d been taken in their pajamas, in the dead of night, and the elves had been careful. One didn’t steal a mage without extreme care.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eWhoever the elf woman was, she’d sent the men to kidnap Rue and her father. “Come now, so tenderhearted! Think of it this is an incentive to behave.” She flicked a hand and the beating stopped. It was a warning.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eRue bared her teeth. She wasn’t going to bargain; this piece of trash had kidnapped them and beat her father unmercifully. Rue had heard of strong mages being taken, enslaved for the dark elves’ fight clubs. Massive money was made on the illegal games, and if this woman was a slaver, she had no pity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eThe woman watched her for a moment, dark eyes drifting over the slave collar clamped to Rue’s neck, as if the enchanted bone would be enough to hold her. Pre-convergence, she was probably a big shot, but she had a lot to learn about modern mages. The old rules were obsolete, and rage changed everything.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e“Nothing to say? That’s for the best. You’re my slave now, and your father’s life depends on your cooperation.” She signaled the guard, who kicked her father’s kneeling body to his back and stomped on his stomach.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eHer father had a weak heart. A tough old man in so many ways, but his body couldn’t take this. She felt him die, felt him leave. He was \u003ci\u003egone.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eThe woman was frowning at her father’s body. She hadn’t realized what she’d done yet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eHorror and grief turned to rage. Rue would show her.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"center\" class=\"western\"\u003e***\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eR\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eue came back to herself covered in blood. The bone collar lay broken on the floor, along with the bodies. She’d pulled the iron from their blood, ripped it through their skin. The memories were muted by rage, but they’d learned the hard way that metal didn’t have to mean smelted ore. Humans had plenty of useful trace metals, including potassium, iron and zinc.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eElves did, too.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eA quiet whine made her look at the dog. He thumped his tail once, head tilted in query. Why was he still alive? Not that she would purposely kill a dog…\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eHer throat tightened as she looked at her dad. She checked of course, her hand bloody against his tan skin, but she already knew he had no pulse. His eyes were open, and she closed them, throat tight. They were a long way from home, and she had to go.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e“I don’t want to leave you, Daddy,” she said, her throat raw. Her dad was a practical man; he would tell her to run. Live and fight another day, he’d say.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eThat’s when the dog said, “I can help.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca name=\"c1\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e \u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 1\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eN\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eoxious fumes rose from the junkyard, lending a ghostly vibe to hulks of rusting cars. Light flashed off opinion as something peered through a window and darted away, disappearing behind a dilapidated bus and a hill of old tires. Crumpled sheets of tinfoil floated in a ghostly wind, suspended like silver kites, making visibility difficult.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eOriginally four acres, the Convergence, the merging of the old elven world with Earth, had transformed places like the junkyard into spreading pools of magic. Now that the dying and upheaval had ended, cities like Spokane were determined to tame the magic, or at least keep it from engulfing huge portions of prime real estate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eMages like Rue were the answer. They fed on magic, controlled it, and the junkyard was brimming with her flavor of metal magic. She’d signed an agreement with the council and plunked down a hefty chunk of change as a good faith deposit. In one year, she’d have anchored the Yard and paid off her loan…or she’d die trying.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eLights ignited in the junk; monsters with glowing eyes stalking breakfast.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e“Last chance, cuz. You doing this?” The retired Army Ranger chambered a round, casually sighting the glowing eyes. Ike looked the part, tall and lean, military haircut touched with gray, scars on his weathered skin. “Looks like hell’s flash sale out there. Reminds me of cleaning out Grandma’s house when she died. Crap everywhere.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eHis friend Bruce was manning the machine gun mounted on the roof of the Humvee. Tattooed, the former Navy gunner now worked on the bomb squad for the local police.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eAn iron eagle, eyes lit blue in scanning mode, perched next to him. The robot was one of Rue’s intricate drones, powered with a magic battery. He was paired with a set of goggles that could see what he saw, which was handy in the field when a laptop would be cumbersome. Of course, Rue didn’t need a remote to control the bird. She couldn’t see through its eyes, but she could mentally direct its flight and hear it speak through her headset.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eThey’d recruited two other buddies, who were busy scanning the neighborhood with hunting rifles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eShe swallowed the urge to snap at him again for dragging his friends into this; she was his last living blood relative, and she wasn’t going into danger without backup. Overprotective? Yeah, but she loved him for it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eShe flashed a smile. “You know that stick man poster that says, ‘Help! There’s a dinosaur charging!’”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eHe smirked and added the other stick man’s part. “Yes! Go get it! That’s lunch.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eShe stepped out of the Humvee. As soon as her feet touched the ground, the magic surged. Delicious, deep and inexhaustible, the power made her feet itch, her toes curling in her boots. She breathed deep, eyes half closed in ecstasy. She’d been starved for this.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eRue was twenty-three and dwarf trained. She knew the many kinds of metal, how to bend it to her will, and she’d outgrown the pool of metal magic the dwarf mages shared. This vast lake of magic was more than enough, and it was all hers if she could tame it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e“Snap out of it, cuz. You’ve got work to do.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eShe blinked at Ike’s rough command. She’d been mesmerized, standing out in the open in front of a monster spawning ground like a pothead before the world’s largest field of marijuana. Time to quit screwing around.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eShe drew her baton, twirled it to warm up her wrist. A line of blue circuits ignited as it powered up. Fully charged, the magic battery would give her a boost, help prevent exhaustion. Mages were known to work until they collapsed, and she’d been warned to be careful. The magic lake was inexhaustible, but she wasn’t. Ike would make sure she didn’t faint and get eaten.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eNobody knew where the monsters came from. Some said the magic pools were doorways to another dimension. Others thought the magic twisted natural creatures, turned them into monsters with no fear of man. Once spawned, the monsters were free to roam and devour any humans or animals they encountered. Humans had learned to build their houses strong, with iron bars over the doors and guns in every house. Children learned that guns were not toys and caring parents taught them to shoot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eIt was amazing how quickly hippies learned to kill monsters if they valued their hides. The government couldn’t protect every citizen from hordes of fire breathing, mutant hedgehogs. World peace was a great goal, but monsters couldn’t be reasoned with.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eThat’s where heroes came in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eDay one was spent letting the monsters know the Yard was under new management. Step one was to establish a perimeter. She sent the eagle into the air. Powered with a magic-charged battery, it was programmed to highlight approaching threats with red laser lights, acting as an early warning system. Some of the monsters weren’t flesh, so Rue transformed a garbage truck and a tractor into robots to crush anything that wouldn’t bleed. That was the easy part; ignoring tons of crushing metal and bullets was difficult, even with electronic earplugs. The sharp smell of gunpowder, blood and burning fuel added to the distraction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eSpiders made of car engines and cable made a terrible sound when shoved into the garbage truck’s trash compacter. Worse were the dog sized rats that crept out of the shadows, armed with titanium teeth and a taste for human meat. They died with a high-pitched squeal when stitched with a machine gun, spraying green blood like burst water pipes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eClosing her eyes to the sounds of war, she sank deep into meditation, seeking a suitable anchor in the piles of scrap…\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eHer eyes popped open and she laughed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e“What?” Ike demanded. He took careful aim and popped something with six legs and chainsaw pincers. The awful meld of metal and flesh went down, legs flailing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e“Nothing.” She closed her eyes and seized the mammoth boat anchor, probably from a cargo ship. It still had three links of chain, and she quickly formed more, crushing and shaping cars into links, leaving the non-metallic bits in a discard pile out of the way. Space cleared as she transformed junk, giving her room to work as she sank the anchor deep, driving it through the dirt until it lodged in the pool of power. Sweat poured down her back as she wrestled the suddenly obstinate magic, applying sheer brute force to weld the anchor in place.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eShe broke off, staggering a bit as her vision blurred. She waved off Ike. “I’m good. Just need a breather.” She grabbed a bottle of juice and chugged it, then downed a handful of trail mix; staying fueled was critical when burning that kind of energy. Refreshed, no longer needing the deep meditation, she slipped into a lighter trance and gathered the floating trash, pulling it from the far reaches of the Yard until she had a floating disk two feet thick and the size of a swimming pool. She attached it to the chain and grinned in satisfaction when it rose into the air.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eShe began to sort cars, aware that the sounds of gunfire ceased as monsters and humans paused in awe. One by one, she cut the front ends off trucks and stacked them on the disk, then topped them with a tier of classic cars, until she had a wedding cake of cars three layers tall. Someone swore as the color bled off the cars, leaving brushed metal behind. She hardened and thickened the metal, smoothed the rough edges inside and replaced windshields with bullet proof, mirrored glass. A type of pressed metal, the glass was heavy, but the gravity defying foil didn’t even dip. It hung there, four stories above the ground, gleaming in the afternoon sun.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eShe staggered; realized Ike had her arm in a firm grip. Her vision blurred.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e“That’s it for today,” he said, leading her to the Hummer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e“But…”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eIgnoring her protests, he loaded her into the SUV and handed her a bottle of juice. “No. I’m taking you home and loading you up with lots of red meat. We can come back tomorrow.” He’d put a brisket in the smoker, and his wife was doing her part by preparing a feast for the (hopefully) triumphant hunters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e“But we didn’t even go inside!”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e“Your toy will be there tomorrow…if it survives the Yard. In fact, I’m cool with letting it hang out a few hours, just to make sure that thing’s going to stay airborne.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e“Did you see that? That’s the coolest fortress ever,” Bruce enthused as he slid inside and closed the sunroof. “I can’t wait to see the inside.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e“Can you build me a house out of classic cars? That’s pretty sweet, girl,” one of the hunters said with a grin. “What else can you do?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e“Not much now,” she mumbled, slumped in the seat. She’d never been so tired. Good thing she’d brought Ike. “Tomorrow,” she slurred. She was thankful she’d given the guys a huge box of lead and buckshot pellets for reloading earlier, a gift for risking their lives and spending a fortune in bullets. She was so tired, she’d be lucky to bend a spoon, much less mass produce ammunition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eIke looked at her doubtfully. “We’ll see.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca name=\"c2\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e \u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 2\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003efter Ike’s wife Emma had fussed over her and fed her, Rue went to her loft over Ike’s industrial size garage and took a nap. It had been a while since she’d worked up to her magical potential, and she was still groggy when she woke. Half-heartedly, she tinkered with a robotic cheetah, but gave up when she found she had only a gnat’s worth of power left. Clearly, she was going to have to balance money making work with anchoring the Yard, but that was a problem for later.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eMany people assumed that as a metal mage, Rue could simply pull gold and precious metals out of the ground at will. While she \u003ci\u003ecould\u003c\/i\u003e, deposits of any significance rarely occurred near pools of metal magic, limiting what she could access. That, and dwarves had an uncanny affinity for finding and claiming easily accessed deposits. They viewed mages like her as interlopers and were aggressive about driving her away from their territory.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eMage she might be, but she wasn’t going to traipse through the hostile wilderness seeking gold.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eFortunately, there were many opportunities for a clever girl to earn money; the copper wire in the Yard would be a good start.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eRestless, she moved to the window to watch the sunset. Early fall had brought chill winds that made eighty degrees feel brisk, but it was stuffy in her room, so she cracked a window. The paved yard was neat, but filled with the typical mechanic’s collection of cars in various stages of repair. Ike and Rue both had black thumbs, but Emma had filled half barrels around the tiny yard with vegetables and some kind of red flower…geraniums? Rue couldn’t remember if that was what they were called, but they were pretty. As she was admiring them, a black dog trotted into view.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eRue hissed. She hated black dogs. “Get out of here! Go on, git!”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eThe dog panted at her. He sat, staring at her as if daring her to do something.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eShe narrowed her eyes and considered throwing something, but it was only a dog. Stupid, maybe, but it hadn’t hurt her. She looked around, searching for the big water gun she used to shoo the neighbor’s goat away. The stupid animal was always escaping and was murder on Emma’s garden.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eBy the time she found it, the dog had disappeared.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eUneasy, Rue rubbed the black mark inside her left wrist. The rune was a daily reminder that not all black hounds were family pets…\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"center\" class=\"western\"\u003e***\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e“\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI can help.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eThe hound became smoke and reformed into a man. A tall dark elf dressed in unrelieved black, he had no visible weapons. Instead of the usual long white hair and teak or gray skin, this elf’s military cut was inky, his skin like carved obsidian. Like all elves, his ears were pointed, but they looked particularly wolfish on him. Midnight eyes gleamed with iridescent green like the feathers of a black duck.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eHe didn’t give her time to stare. “Greetings. You’ll want to run; they’re coming.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eShe sent a frantic look at the door and then her father, torn. “I can’t,” she whispered, even though she knew she would. Shock and grief insisted she couldn’t leave him like that.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eThe stranger seemed to understand. “Here.” He waved a hand and smoke rose from her father’s body, leaving a pile of ashes. He closed his hands as if holding an invisible ball and the ash condensed, leaving a smooth gray marble. He scooped it up and thrust it in her hand. “Ashes to ashes, right? Time to run.” Which he did, leaving her to follow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eShe had little choice; it was either follow the devil she’d just met or meet new ones. She ran after him, clutching the precious marble. Her captors had brought her down a mine shaft in an elevator and though a long series of corridors. The tunnels were dimly lit, smooth stone, and she had no idea where she was.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eHe sped up, racing around a gently curving corner, and came to an abrupt halt at the bank of a black river.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eShe skidded to a halt and looked with dread at the dark water. Did he mean to swim it? She could see stone steps on the other side, within swimming distance. She looked at the water suspiciously. Anything could be in there.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e“Scared?” He was barely winded and didn’t seem concerned. “I can help.” He pushed her.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eIt was only a three foot drop, but dark and shocking cold. Her scream was cut off as she hit the water. Freezing water made her lock up, but panic drove her to swim.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e“This way,” the elf said, swimming for the stone steps on the far side.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eThere was no time to debate. She wasn’t fast, but she could swim...something he might have asked before pushing her.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eSomething slimy brushed her leg. Adrenaline spiked her blood, made her faster. Next to her, something displaced water. She shrieked as it hit her thigh with bruising force and left a hot line of pain on her calf. She floundered and the elf was there. He muttered a word and there was a hot explosion under the water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e“Swim!” he ordered. As soon as they reached the stairs he seized her arm and tossed her up the steps. She scrambled up, dripping river water, shuddering with terror and cold.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eHe reached the top before her and hauled her up to the stone road, his hand somehow dry and warm. Behind him, a few dim lights announced the outskirts of a town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eSure enough, he was bone dry. Stupid, smoke sniffing fiend!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e“Are you trying to kill me? What was that?” she rasped as she yanked her hand away. This man was dangerous.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eHe scanned her, checking for damage. “A pet of sorts. We feed it prisoners,” he said absently.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e“So you pushed me in?” she cried.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e“So ungrateful. Can you walk on that leg?” He knelt and flicked away her shredded pajamas to check her calf.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eShe swatted his hands away. “No thanks to you!”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eHe pinned her with a stare. “You’re welcome to save yourself.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eThere was a small silence. Finally she let out a harsh breath. “How do I know this is a rescue?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e“Hm. I suppose I could be luring you to my secret chamber to torture you.” He nodded in approval and stood. “I like it. Suspicion looks good on you.” He tilted his head to the road and began to walk. “This is the way to the prison. Since I’ve already helped a slave escape, I may as well cap the day with a prison break.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eLike it or not, he knew the way out. She limped next to him, bare feet silent on the cold stone. She wanted to retort with a snappy comeback, but she was too busy shivering. The air was as chilly as a root cellar and the water may have washed away the blood from a busy day of murder, but without soap she still smelled like a slaughter house.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eSickened by the reminder of her father’s death, she shivered harder.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eHe glanced at her. “Unfortunately we’ll have to get you washed and dry first. You won’t get far like this and I won’t be around to nursemaid you if you develop a sniffle. You’ll need clothes, too. The cartoon chickens are creepy.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eShe laughed in disbelief. After the day she’d had, he thought her \u003ci\u003epajamas\u003c\/i\u003e were creepy? Her laughter sounded so unnatural, it made her uneasy, so she laughed again.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eHe frowned. “A glass of liquor might be in order. You need something to steady you.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eHe cast a bit of glamour to darken her pale skin and lighten her brown hair. If he did anything to hide her blue eyes, she couldn’t tell.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eThe laundromat he chose was depressingly run down, but it had a shower in back. The lady who ran the place barely glanced up from her TV as she took his money.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eThe shower tile was cracked and grimy. It had one crusty hand towel hanging on a hook. The wall soap dispenser had harsh orange soap, but the water was blissfully hot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eShe blotted her hair with a paper towel when she was done, one eye on the locked door.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eThere was a quick knock. “Crack the door and grab this bag. I got you some clothes.” There were some baggy sweatpants and a shapeless hoodie, very large, probably from the laundromat lost and found. He’d bought a pair of cheap sandals from the mini-mart next door. They weren’t warm but at least protected her sore feet from the cold floor. He handed her a hot sandwich and tea when she stepped out and took her to a cheap hotel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e“Lock the door,” he said sternly. “If you have to rest, sleep lightly. I’ll be back shortly with better clothes and some supplies. The dwarves will know the way out, but there’s snow in the air and you’ll have a long walk. Don’t hesitate to kill if anyone but me comes for you.” He turned to smoke and was gone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eRue gingerly sat on the bed, wrinkling her nose at the smell of smoke, mildew and other unpleasant things.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eShe took the marble she’d found in the sweatshirt pocket and held it. She thought she’d dropped it in the river, but somehow the elf must have retrieved it. Why was he helping her? Who was he?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eShe closed her eyes and brought the fist with the marble to her heart. It felt like her chest was going to crack with pain. What would she do now?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"center\" class=\"western\"\u003e***\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eR\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eue blinked and let go of the memory. It was over; she didn’t need to think about him. She’d been seventeen and naive when she’d been taken. She was twenty-one now and dwarf trained, more powerful and a lot wiser in the ways of the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eShe’d been in shock, had fallen half in love with her “savior”. Now she knew a dark elf did nothing without a motive. He thought he owned her; she’d like to see him claim her.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eShe looked with cold intent at the yard, but the dog was truly gone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eSmart dog.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca name=\"c3\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e \u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 3\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e“\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003e’\u003c\/span\u003em grateful we waited to try that thing out,” Ike said, staring in consternation at the “floating palace”.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eRue winced as the giant, warty green bear cubs climbed the chain, chasing a bug the size of a basset hound. Although they were the size of an adult polar bear, she knew they were cubs because their mother was as big as an elephant. Annoyed, the pea-green mother bear grabbed the chain to follow. She was too heavy, so the chain dipped slightly. With a growl, she put both paws on it and pulled, making the car palace bob like a ship in rough seas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eBruce sighted the bear through the machine gun. Although his two hunting buddies had also come, he was the one who always ended up on the roof. “Green with yellow blobs. That thing looks like something floating in the toilet after eating corn.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e“Ew! Thanks for that. Go ahead and shoot it. I’ll bury the body.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e“A woman after my own heart,” he said approvingly, and shot the beast behind the shoulder, the high powered round punching through thick hide and hitting the heart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eRue activated her robots, which had gone dormant in her absence. As they approached now twitching bear, she formed a spear out of a rusty pipe and shot it through the bear’s head before rapidly killing the cubs. She knew some would consider it brutal, but if not exterminated, the animals would wander into the city in search of food. \u003ci\u003eThey\u003c\/i\u003e wouldn’t hesitate to catch anyone who couldn’t outrun them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eShe had the robots drag the monsters away and bury them; the former tractor was great for digging holes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eThere were no monster attacks today, so it was easy to focus on improving the car palace…she really had to think of a better name for that. She made the chains razor sharp, adding spikes for good measure, and made four sharp spiral columns to brace the platform. It was no longer free floating, but she could worry about that later.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eBarely winded, she grinned at her escort. “Ready to go inside? I’m calling it the Watchtower.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eIke opened his mouth, but shut it as a car elevator descended from the belly of the tower. “Huh.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eShe hopped in the Hummer. “Cool, right? I didn’t want to leave our ride undefended.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e“You’re sure it’s stable?” Bruce peered at the elevator nervously.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e“Yes.” If it was one thing she knew, it was metal. Rue enjoyed the ride as they ascended, finally able to see above the junk. The noxious fumes didn’t bother her; they were mostly at ground level, and puddles of poison usually contained a lot of metal that could be manipulated, rendering them harmless.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eThe platform reached the inside of the Watchtower and locked into place. They stepped out, admiring the great hollow space. Car windows let in plenty of light, illuminating the brushed steel interior.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eBruce’s voice echoed as he spoke. “What are you going to put in here? This place is huge.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e“Also, it’s going to get hot with all those windows. Have you thought of a heating and cooling system yet? What are you going to do for plumbing?” Ike asked, wandering to a window. “Look at that view.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eShe smiled. Trust Ike to be practical. “I thought you guys might have some input. There’s a cooler in the truck, plenty to eat and drink, and we brought paper and pens. Take some pictures, kick around ideas. If you have any recommendations for plumbers and whatnot, write them down.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e“Meanwhile, I’m going to add some stairs and an upper story. When I’m done, I can rough out space for bathrooms and whatnot.” She figured with men in charge, she’d have a huge garage planned, but that was fine. She’d need space to work on robots; most of hers were more elegant than the rough specimens she had patrolling the ground.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eShe walked a few steps and said, “Don’t forget ideas for defenses…and a decent kitchen.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eIke flicked a hand. “Go do your thing. We got this.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eShe chose a shady corner and mentally sorted through junk on the ground, drawing up metal for a curving stair and upper floor. Since the kitchen and living area would be upstairs, she added a glass and steel lift to make it easy to bring supplies up.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eShe chose to make the floor a grid of steel with frosted, bullet proof glass to let in maximum light.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eTo keep the space open, she ran a wide loft along the garage’s outer wall, figuring she could use the space as extra rooms or storage as needed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eIt was a big space, so she added several bathrooms. For now they were little more than nice outhouses; plumbing this place was going to be interesting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eBefore taking a break, she added several large fans and plugged them into the magic pool, allowing them to power themselves. She wasn’t sure how that would work with tricky things like heating and cooling units, but there were experts for that.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eOf course, to hire them she’d need money. Not everyone could be paid in bullets.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e“I like what you’ve done with the place,” Bruce said with a flirtatious grin.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e“Thanks.” She gave him a lukewarm smile and helped herself to a sandwich and glass of iced tea. He was a nice enough guy, but there was an edge of nervousness to Bruce. She made him uneasy, or her power did. There was no future there.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eThey did a walk through and the guys shared several excellent ideas. Everyone had their own jobs to return to, but they had good suggestions for contractors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e“But you’ve got to beef up security here first,” Ike cautioned. “It’ll be hard enough to get workers out here, although curiosity will draw some of them. You’ve got to prove they won’t get eaten for setting foot on the Yard. We thought a big fence would help.” He showed her a sketch of cars and trucks standing on end, forming a big ring around the Watchtower. A truck was balanced on two others, forming a massive gate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e“Why, cuz! You’re an artist,” she teased, making him color. “It’s a great idea.” She tilted her head. “Especially if I make each car robotic so it can crush monsters.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e“Nice. What about mounting guns on the bottom, too?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eShe frowned. “Maintenance. Still, a crude cannon would work, or maybe spears on chains. It’s not like the monsters will shoot back.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e“In that case, what about pit traps?” Bruce asked, and they discussed several options for monster disposal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eRue liked one so much she immediately implemented it. It took more effort than rearranging the house, so she sank into a trance and drew metal from the ground, forming several retractable metal bridges over pits, complete with trapdoors. The pits were lined with retractable spikes, perfect for impaling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eShe was about to begin on the car fence when Ike gently shook her arm. “You can finish tomorrow.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eShe scowled at him, but quickly realized he was right. She was beat. Also, she needed to improve the ventilation, because it was a bit hot in there, despite the magic powered fans. “All right. I need to go over your plans and call some contractors anyway. This place is going to be a money pit.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003e“Welcome to home ownership. Wait until you get to pay property taxes.” He walked her to the truck with an evil grin. “By the way, what was your plan to pay for all this again?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\"\u003eShe groaned and dropped into the passenger seat. How ironic would it be to survive monsters only to fall prey to the tax man?\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Autumn Dawn","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45719867982052,"sku":"BlackHound_Ebook","price":7.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0661\/9771\/7220\/files\/Blk_Hound_2025_ebook.jpg?v=1741208826"},{"product_id":"products-ice-giants-housekeeper-book-4-convergance-series","title":"The Ice Giant’s Housekeeper – Book 4 in the Convergance Series | Clean Fantasy Romance (Ebook)","description":"\u003cp align=\"center\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMonsters, magic, and homemaking collide in Book 4 of the Convergence Series. When Fern takes a job with a clan of ice giant bachelors, she brings more than elbow grease to the table—she just might save their home, their hearts, and possibly the chickens.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"center\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"center\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Ice Giant’s Housekeeper\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"center\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e The Convergence had changed their world. Years ago, Earth and the fabled elven world had melded, causing earthquakes, raising sunken islands and unleashing monsters. The catastrophic disaster disrupted every facet of transportation, agriculture and caused widespread death. When the shaken citizens of both worlds finally sorted things out, roads got fixed, farms and factories started to produce, and oil and natural gas once more fueled the nations. The world ran on a mix of magic and science, allowing dragons to rule the skies and satellites to dominate space.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"center\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThese days, resources were focused on infrastructure, communications, manufacture and monster control. Meat and animal products were especially rationed. It took a lot of manpower to protect herds of animals and helpless, delicious chickens from hungry monsters. WW2 memorabilia and rationing posters were back in circulation, as people were encouraged to “grow your own” and “have a monster garden”. Etsy sold framed posters of Rosie the Riveter, people were encouraged to “made do and mend”, and homemaking was a full-time job again.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"center\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhich is why Hakon and his brothers were struggling. Women were naturally superior at homemaking; at least Fern thought so. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"center\"\u003eFern’s apartment is wreaked by monsters and she’s fired the next day. With nowhere to go, she’s grateful to accept any job...even if it’s working for a family of ice giant bachelors. They’re nice enough, if dreadful slobs. Thankfully, it’s nothing a fire hose and elbow grease won’t clean.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"center\"\u003eA member of Fire \u0026amp; Rescue, Hakon doesn’t have time to breathe, much less clean. Not only is the new housekeeper a talented cook, she makes his house a home. She also comes with unexpected magical talents...\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"center\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eAmerican pie and monsters. Ice giant cattle ranchers and goblin bankers. Murderously protective magical geese and a very talented housekeeper.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"center\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"center\"\u003eNovella. Contains no graphic love scenes. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"center\"\u003eExpect reasonable amounts of gore as monster heads explode and plenty of action.\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 20px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"center\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch1 style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e✨\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRead a sample now:\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch1 class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eCHAPTER 1\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eFern finished blending the soap and removed her stick blender from the bowl of emulsified fat and homemade lye. She hummed along with the radio as she poured the soap into the greased wooden mold. After it set but before it was hard, she would slice it into bars and let it finish curing for a few weeks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eShe took the mold and carefully stepped down from the stool behind the tall kitchen counter. At 5’8”, she was hardly short, at least by human standards, but this wasn’t a human household.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eThe laundry room was right off the kitchen, and she placed the soap on a low shelf next to the cleaning supplies. The shelves ran all the way to the ten foot ceiling, but she didn’t feel like climbing the ladder.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eIt was time to start on lunch, so she moved the stool to the stainless steel sink and started scrubbing enough potatoes to fill the five gallon stock pot for creamy potato soup.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eIt took a lot of soup to feed a family of frost giants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eThe snow was January thick, and the thermometer outside read -40 F, typical for North Dakota. It didn’t bother her here in the warm kitchen, though. She could see the hay barn stuffed full of giant round bales, food for the goats, sheep and cattle her bosses owned. The goat shed was directly in front of the window, so she could see her boss, Embla, pitching hay to the goats and knocking ice out of the water bins. Dressed in nothing more than suede pants, boots and a gray t-shirt, the seven foot giantess wasn’t at all bothered by the cold. Her long blond hair was braided, and she wore an ax strapped to her back, within easy reach. Bare handed, she pulled the metal bound gate closed and latched it, unconcerned with the frosty metal’s bite.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eFern caught a glimpse of her face in the triple pane windows and checked to make sure her hair was still mostly tamed by her own braid. The wild curls would never be perfect, but at least they stayed out of her face with this style. The freckles she could do nothing about.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eEmbla’s feet stomped snow off outside before she breezed in. She toed her boots off and padded across the hardwood floor. “Snow coming. Good, you started the soup.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003e“Yes, ma’am.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eEmbla opened the industrial steel fridge and polished off a quart of fresh raw goat’s milk straight from the jar. Embla took care of her precious goats herself, preferring the outside work, but Fern filtered the milk for her and made cheese, just as Embla had taught her.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eShe also made the household bread, pickles, kombucha and almost all the meals. She loved the kitchen work, loved tasting the delicious food she created. She was constantly reading, learning new recipes and techniques to expand her knowledge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eIf she could have lived here, life would have been nearly perfect.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eSadly, her apartment was in the city, less than ten miles away, but worlds apart. She couldn’t see how her dream of having her own country home would ever work out, despaired of meeting a man who shared her vision, but she was grateful for the job that let her have a piece of it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eThe radio buzzed with an important weather announcement. Snow was supposed to start by early afternoon and become a blizzard. School would be dismissed early.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eEmbla grunted. “You’ll have to take the bus home early, then. Probably run late in the morning, too. Figures. I was going to make beer tomorrow, too! Now I’ll have to cook breakfast.” She scowled at the big basket of eggs on the counter. Embla was a good cook, but she’d rather be outdoors with her animals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eThere was nothing she could do about it, so Fern stayed silent. She would have happily stayed the night on the couch and got up early to cook, but Embla’s seventeen year old son was a flirt. He was way too young for Fern, who was twenty-four, but Embla would never stand for the human to stay overnight. She was taking no chances; a human female was not suitable for her son.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eFern didn’t take it personally. Embla wanted the best for her boy. In her world, marrying a human was literally marrying down. Who wanted short grandchildren? Embla’s parents were both nine foot plus, and Embla was considered petite (she had a bit of a complex about it). She’d never hear the end of it if her grandkids were puny and weak.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eFern had heard Embla’s mother’s deep alto voice (she was a loud talker) through the phone often enough to sympathize. How could such a booming voice sound shrill?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eKory, Embla’s son, stomped off the snow on the porch a little past one PM as Fern was cleaning up the lunch dishes from Embla and her husband.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eSeventeen, dark blond, 7’ 9\u003cspan style=\"font-size: xx-small;\"\u003e”\u003c\/span\u003e, Kory was decent looking, with hands and feet that promised more growth to come. He grinned at Fern and sniffed the air. “Smells like good things cooking.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eShe smiled back and set out a big bowl, fresh bread and utensils. “Creamy potato soup with bacon. Here’s the shredded cheese.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003e“Awesome! I’m starving.” He wolfed it down, followed by two more.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003e“They let you out early,” his mom remarked from her loom. Although she had her sheep’s wool commercially carded and spun, she enthusiastically wove and knit. She also used the tanned hides to make pants and such for her family, producing most of the textiles for her household. She’d even made a couple of pairs of pants for Fern, amused at the tiny size.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eSadly, Fern wasn’t as talented with fiber arts, but she couldn’t be good at everything. Besides, she more than made up for it in the kitchen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003e“Yeah. They’re warning of storm hags,” Kory said.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eFern froze with her hands in the dishwater. She’d turned the radio off after the storm warning, figuring she was up to date. Quiet time was expensive today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eEmbla paused in her weaving. She put on her boots and went outside. Fern watched her take a deep breath, sampling the air. Giants were sensitive to all things winter, and had good warning systems for danger. When she came back in, her face was grave. “Leave the dishes. I’ll drive you home.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eShe’d never offered to do that before.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eFern rinsed the last plate, dried her hands and gathered her stuff. She was already wearing long underwear beneath her leather pants and crochet sweater, so she traded her slippers for wool socks, another sweater, scarf, coat, trapper hat and gloves. She had snow pants and heavier lambskin mittens in her duffle bag just in case, but riding in Embla’s truck wouldn’t be as cold as the bus. More than once, she’d seen her breath on the bus, and it was supposed to be equipped with two heaters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eLast, she strapped on a thigh holster. In warmer weather she preferred a shoulder holster, but there was no quick way to access it under her layers, and it was necessary with all the monsters about.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eNot that it would be any help against a storm hag.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eShe brooded as she looked out the window of the truck. Snow berms rose high on either side of the road, making a sea of bumpy white broken by the occasional farm house. Most wild things, natural and otherwise, would be burrowed down for the coming storm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eMost things.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eStorm hags were dingy gray, like dirty snow. Particularly violent blizzards brought them, riding storm winds like howling banshees, clawing anyone exposed to shreds, leaving frozen corpses behind.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eStone, metal and thick wood were proof against them, wards even better. Unfortunately, as Embla pulled up in front of Fern’s stone apartment building, she was reminded that her building didn’t have good wards. Everyone knew the ward was weak and old, but their landlord ignored the complaints. As long as the monster rats were kept out, he was satisfied.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003e“Good, thick walls,” Embla said, surveying the building grimly. There was just a hint of doubt on her face. “You’ll be fine.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003e“Yes. Thank you,” Fern said quietly, gathering her things.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eEmbla hesitated. “If there’s a problem, an emergency, you call.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eThey both knew there was nothing Embla could do, but it was a nice gesture. Fern smiled, a little warmed. “Thank you.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eWind blasted her as she exited the cab, a light dusting of flakes hitting her face. “Drive careful.” She hesitated and added mischievously, “Stay warm.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eEmbla guffawed and shut the door. As if a frost giant would ever worry about that.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eFern unlocked the door to the foyer and let herself in, grateful for the warm air. Her mailbox was empty, so she turned to trudge up three flights of stairs (the elevator was still, as always, broken).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eHer neighbor Jason was there, smiling. “Hi, Fern.” Lanky, greasy and awkward, Jason was tall, but had a perpetual slouch. He also had a creepy habit of following her around. He’d obviously been waiting for her.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003e“Hi,” she said warily. She put her hand inside her coat pocket and touched her new taser. It had been bought with him in mind.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eHe shuffled his feet. “I just wanted to say, you must be scared living alone sometimes. You know, with monsters and stuff. If you ever need someone to protect you, I’m always around.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003e“Thanks,” she said, edging past him. “That’s really nice of you.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eShe bolted up the stairs, fatigue forgotten. Thankfully, he didn’t follow her. She unlocked her\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003etiny apartment and bolted the door behind her.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eHe was right about one thing: it was scary living alone sometimes, because sometimes humans were the monsters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eNot that he’d done more than follow her around so far...and leave unwanted gifts at her door. It was enough, and she was careful to avoid him when possible. She blew out a breath and patted the locked door, trusting in its safety.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eLeaving her bag by the door and shedding layers, she hung them up on hooks and gratefully sat on her bed...the only place to sit in the small space.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eIt was clean, with just enough room for a tiny bathroom, micro closet and a mini fridge stacked with a microwave, coffee maker and hot plate. There were shelves with minimal cooking supplies, but that was it. She didn’t even have a TV.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eAt least it was affordable, and safe...usually.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eAfter her shower, she curled up in long johns and socks under the covers and tried to focus on the newest book she’d downloaded on her tablet. Maybe she should have a snack. She had food in the fridge, things Embla insisted she take home. Embla considered a lot of human food sub-par, improperly prepared and likely to cause weakness. She didn’t want her kitchen help getting sick, because it would mean she’d have to do her own dishes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eThe wind was picking up, rattling the iron shutters, and she could hear the faintest trace of a moan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eShe gave up and got dressed. She checked her emergency bag, tucked her tablet, charger and a water bottle inside just in case. Maybe it was silly. It wasn’t like she could run outside with storm hags on the rampage. The sensible thing was to hunker down and…\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eA tremendous blow rocked the building.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eFern yelped and instinctively ducked. Heart racing, she listened and...another deafening blow rattled her shutters. The glass cracked.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eFern threw on her winter boots and coat, grabbed her bug out bag and phone and raced into the hallway. Others were stumbling out of their rooms, some less dressed than she. They were struggling into coats, clutching whatever they could grab. Didn’t anyone read the readiness bulletins the government put out? Monsters had been causing havoc for years. Everyone knew it was smart to have a bag of emergency supplies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003e“Fern! Wait for me!” Jason was down the hall, pushing people aside as he fought to get near her.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eShe hurried down the hall, dodging people. She didn’t want him to catch up.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eAnother blow cracked the wall. A ceiling panel broke loose, striking her shoulder. She cried out and bolted down the stairs, grabbing the loosened handrail. The stairs were buckling, making her heart jump. A fast look back showed Jason trapped behind others shoving their way down the stairs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eShe reached the trashed lobby only to find people kicking the jammed front door. Everyone was cursing and crying, the lights flickering…\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003e“Back door!” a man yelled, then darted away.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eFern followed, relieved to find the emergency exit door open, blasting cold air.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eTwo others followed her into the street and then the front of her building collapsed, crushing those left inside.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eThe next twenty minutes were a blur. She had vague memories of running, her lungs freezing, people dying around her as hags dropped from the sky. Vengeful monster shrieks pierced her eardrums like ice shards, amplifying the pain and terror.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eSomehow she ended up in a bar, pulled into the warded space by brave patrons who let her in. Men with shotguns and rifles guarded the door, and there was the deafening boom of gunfire. “Got one!” a man crowed, and another slammed the door shut. Firing indoors was unwise, as it could destroy hearing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eDetails were blurry, but Fern was ushered to a table and huddled in a chair, shivering from adrenaline. Her legs were cold but she was sweating under her coat from the run.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eThe bar had soft lighting, but was very clean. The place smelled faintly of damp wool, a pleasant whiff of beer and wood smoke.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003e“Drink it,” the bar owner said shortly, pushing a hot honeyed whiskey toward her. He was middle aged and wore a hat to cover his bald head. “You need it.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eShivering, Fern obediently took a sip, barely grimacing at the taste. The radio began an emergency announcement. “Quiet! Turn it up!” Someone yelled.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eHer building had been attacked by a kefir monster, a giant construct of kefir-like water crystals and rocks. The storm hags, formerly thought not to be very intelligent, had driven the monster at the building, then shredded those who’d run out into the storm. Fire and Rescue had killed the beast, and they were trying to find survivors in the rubble.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eHer home was completely destroyed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eEmbla. She needed to call Embla. She stared at her phone for a moment before she remembered how to dial.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eEmbla picked up on the second ring. “Yes? Fern?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003e“I...my apartment. It...it’s gone,” Fern mumbled, still numb.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003e“What do you mean? What happened?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003e“Can I talk to her? Thank you,” the barkeep said, accepting the phone. He summed up the situation, adding, “We’re keeping an eye on her. She’s pretty shook up.” He nudged the toddy, and Fern took another sip.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eArrangements were made. It was too dangerous to go outside, so Fern crashed on a cot in the office, sleeping fitfully. Embla came and got her at first light. Fern crashed on Embla’s couch, too tired and sad to resist sleep.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"center\"\u003e***\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eJason was pissed. Everything that could have gone wrong, had. He’d been trapped on second floor behind a sea of panicked people as Fern ran off. He’d barely escaped with his life, and the night had ended in disaster.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eFor all he knew, Fern might be dead. So much for all his perfect plans.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eBut if she wasn’t dead… He reached down and petted the sleeping monster at his feet. If she wasn’t dead, he would get another chance to impress her. Next time, he wouldn’t fail.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003e2\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eShe woke up late that morning, roused by voices. It took a few seconds to remember why she was on Embla’s couch. She took a moment to feel sorry for herself, then got up, wincing at her sore shoulder.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eEmbla’s husband and son were deep in conversation with their neighbor, Hakon. Nearly seven feet tall, he was on the short side for a giant, but he had the wide jaw and shoulders. He wasn’t Fern’s type, but he was attractive in the way of strong, dominant men, with short brown hair and green eyes. He’d been over a few times in the years Fern had worked there, but she didn’t recall him ever showing up for mid-morning snacks. What was it he did? Fire and Rescue?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003e“Good morning,” Kory said, offering a smile. “Do you want some barley tea?” His smile faded as she got a stool and gingerly sat at the small end table she used to eat. If she climbed onto the giant size chair at the tall table, her feet dangled like a child. “You’re hurt.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003e“A ceiling tile fell on my shoulder. It’s just sore,” she said wearily, accepting the human sized mug of roasted barley tea. Regular tea with honey was okay, but this was her favorite.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eEmbla handed her a plate of honey buttered sourdough bread to go with it. She must feel bad. She wasn’t usually this attentive. It made Fern feel uneasy. “Thanks.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eThere was an awkward silence. Embla hid behind her tea, grim with guilt. If she'd let Fern stay last night…\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eNot that Fern blamed her. She couldn't have known. Conversation resumed as Fern ate, but there was a sense of things yet to be said.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eHakon waited until she’d finished her meal, and then said, “I’d like to offer you a job.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eFern’s eyes flew to Embla, who said nothing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eHakon continued, “We thought we could handle the house in shifts, keep on top of things, but that didn’t work out. We need someone to cook, clean and take over the grocery shopping.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eIt was a job offer. Usually that was a positive thing, but Fern had just had her world upturned. This proposed change was a shock. Her apartment was destroyed, along with most of her possessions. Her shoulder was a deep ache, her mind still unsettled from her brush with death.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003e“You...don’t need me anymore?” she asked Embla, bewildered. There’d been no warning. Was Embla unhappy with her work? She’d never indicated as much.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eEmbla scowled. “You’re a good worker, but Hakon will pay you more. You’ll be mistress of the house, at least until he gets married. It’s a step up.” She sighed and admitted, “A friend of mine has asked me to apprentice her niece. The girl lost her parents, and my friend already has a houseful of daughters to train.” She glanced furtively at her son.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eSuddenly Fern understood. Embla was matchmaking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eFern had a bad moment. She was an easy going woman, but for a moment, just a moment…\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eHer vision blurred, but she clamped down on the feeling before it could erupt. Now was not the time. She had to survive first. She desperately needed a job and a safe place to stay. Embla didn’t have to employ anyone she didn’t want to. Just because Fern had suddenly lost her home and most of her things…\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eWhen had she planned to tell Fern? What had happened to two weeks notice? Was she so worried about Fern seducing her son that she wouldn’t let Fern stay one night?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eYes, obviously. Fern’s shoulders slumped. She realized she was a little dizzy and took a deep breath.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eShe needed a place to stay, and begging Embla to keep her on was foolish. The decision had been made. No doubt Embla had the plan in place for some time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eIt was just...a little warning would have been nice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eFern clamped down on the fear and anger. She could look for another job later, but right now, this was her best option.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003e“We really can use the help,” Hakon said earnestly. He clearly saw her distress, because he was trying to make it better. “Since our mother died, it’s just me and my four brothers. We’re so busy with our jobs and keeping up with the herd, no one has time for the house. It’s a wreck. You’ll be fully in charge of the kitchen, and we badly need someone to help with the goats and chickens. My youngest brother’s been doing it, but he’s not very reliable about milking.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eThe Convergence had changed their world. Years ago, Earth and the fabled elven world had melded, causing earthquakes, raising sunken islands and unleashing monsters. The catastrophic disaster disrupted every facet of transportation and agriculture, and caused widespread death. When the shaken citizens of both worlds finally sorted things out, roads got fixed, farms and factories started to produce and oil and natural gas once more fueled the nations. The world ran on a mix of magic and science, allowing dragons to rule the skies and satellites to dominate space.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eOnce, people could simply go to a grocery store and buy whatever they needed. Chicken was a common and cheap meal for the masses. Now, there was an occasional sale on monster meat, whenever the edible sort had been slain, but it had unpredictable side effects. A herd of magically warped buffalo had attacked downtown once, resulting in a bonanza of meat in the grocery store. Mostly that had worked out, but the occasional diner suffered from persistent and explosive diarrhea.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eBuyer beware.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eThese days, government and industrial resources were focused on infrastructure, communications, manufacture and monster control. Meat and animal products were especially rationed. It took a lot of manpower to protect herds of animals and helpless, delicious chicken from hungry monsters, making the birds a true delicacy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eWW2 memorabilia and rationing posters were back in circulation, as people were encouraged to “grow your own” and “have a monster garden”. Etsy sold framed posters of Rosie the Riveter, people were encouraged to “make do and mend”, and homemaking was a full time job, the house a productive mini factory of handcrafted goods.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eWhich is why Hakon and his brothers were struggling. Women were naturally superior at homemaking; at least Fern thought so. Didn’t mean they couldn’t do other jobs, just meant they knocked it out of the park on the home front. The ability to shoot and fix tractors if needed was a definite bonus.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eFern cleared her throat. She didn’t know him well, but Hakon had a good reputation. Maybe this could work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003e“How old is your younger brother?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003e“Twelve. He’s a bit of a rascal.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eShe hesitated. Homemaking was one thing. Childcare was another. She’d have to specify that she wasn’t responsible for the kid, just feeding him. If she wasn’t careful, they’d expect all kinds of extras. “I’ve only milked a couple of times.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003e“We’ll show you what to do. Embla says you make good cheese.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003e“You can call me with any questions,” Embla was quick to offer. “I’ll even come over and take a look at the goats, give you some pointers.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003e“Ok,” Fern said. What else could she do? “But I want our terms in writing.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003e“Of course. Anything you want. Within reason,” Hakon added hastily. He looked relieved. “You’ll be a huge help.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eHe looked at Embla. “And thanks, Embla. We owe you one.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eEmbla smirked. Clearly she thought everything was settled. She wouldn’t be able to gloat if she had much of a guilty conscience. “I’ll collect.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eFern had just been sold out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eEmbla saw Fern’s expression and sobered. “Then again, you actually owe Fern. For a little human, she’s actually a hard worker. She’ll have you organized in no time.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"western\" align=\"left\"\u003eIt wasn’t an apology, because Embla clearly felt she’d done the right thing. Like an unwanted dog, Fern had just been disposed of.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Autumn Dawn","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45732868554980,"sku":"The Ice Giants HouseKeeper_Ebook","price":3.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0661\/9771\/7220\/files\/IG_Housekeeper_2025_ebook.jpg?v=1771520820"},{"product_id":"winter-frost-ebook","title":"Winter Frost – Book 5 in the Convergence Series | Clean Fantasy Romance Novella (Ebook)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eWhen -40° storms and monsters strike, Ria grows a magical pumpkin to shelter her and Grandma. But Ria's story isn’t just about survival—it’s about building something positive with your community.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003eWinter Frost\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFleeing monsters, Ria and her grandma end up at the edge of a wheat field. Dark, -40 F and storming, Ria grew a giant pumpkin to shelter them. Inside was squishy and full of seeds, and grandma doesn’t appreciate the rescue…\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCreativity and magic help them survive the storm, but it’s the good will of their community that turns the pumpkin into a home.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWith a killer thief on the prowl and deadly winter to survive, Ria will need her friends and neighbors to get through this time of winter frost.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eShort Story. Heat level: sweet. Contains no graphic love scenes.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e✨\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRead a Sample now:\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"western\"\u003eChapter 1: Escape\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003eRun, Grandma!” Ria grabbed her grandma’s hand and dragged her out into the storm. They didn’t have a choice; the apartment was falling apart, battered by monsters.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStorm hags shrieked and flew by, their long white hair whipping in the wind. They looked like old women with huge black eyes and fanged, black lipped mouths, their gray skin the color of death.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEver since Earth and the old Elven world had merged, releasing magic and monsters, life had become unpredictable. There were no guarantees your safe, cozy home would still be there when you woke up. If you woke up.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThanks to the government’s relentless propaganda, everyone knew to have an emergency bag ready to go. Ria had grabbed her emergency backpack as they’d evacuated the besieged apartment.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGrandma had grabbed her purse and her container of cat ashes. It was a small plastic pail with flowers and kittens, utterly useless against the North Dakota winter or monsters.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt was chaotic outside. People fled in all directions, shooting at the monsters as they ran, screaming, some dying. Ria had grabbed the apartment ward stone, the magic force field was supposed to repulse monsters, but this one must have been cheap. Clearly, it wasn’t rated for a residence this large. Their skinflint landlord was going to regret that when the lawsuits rolled in.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHowever, it was perfect for protecting a teenage girl and her grandma as they fled through the storm. Her coat was open and flapping, stocking hat and gloves still in her pockets, but she’d gotten grandma zipped and protected. They weren’t really running, but for grandma their fast walk was difficult. It was distracting.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn her panic, Ria ran away from the crumbling apartment, the shrieking hags and the gunshots from concerned residents. Unfortunately, that led away from the buildings and into an open field on the edge of the light. The snow was driven hard into her face, blinding her, and as they stood at the edge of the road, Ria didn't dare run back toward town.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShe was scared and panicked. When she was asked later why she didn't find a closer house, that would be her answer.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCold, exposed to stray gunshots, she frantically dug through her pockets for the plastic bag of seeds.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt wasn't that odd. Grandma had her purse and her cat's ashes. Grandma's idea of emergency items these days was sketchy.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBesides, Ria was a plant mage. Not as powerful as some, she was only good with pumpkins and the cucurbitaceae family. She had an impressive green thumb, but cucurbits like squash, melons, cucumbers and gourds were magic in her hands.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSo when Rhea tossed the pumpkin seed on the ground it didn't matter that it was covered in snow, frozen, storming and dark. The pumpkin grew like it had been struck by magic lightning. In a matter of minutes it was as big as a bedroom. She made a door and let her grandma out of the storm.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGrandma was suspicious about magic but Ria was born with it, as were many of the human children after the convergence. When Earth and the elven world collided, chaos ensued. She was part of the new generation, one of many human mages.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt had nothing to do with witchcraft. Either you were born with special talents or not. No amount of hocus pocus could gain abilities, but a mage could be hired for the right price. Everyone needed a job, after all.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003eThis is a terrible idea,” Grandma fretted. “We should go back to town.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003eBack to town? We're lucky you made it this far without falling! Come on grandma.” She dragged her grandma inside and shut the door. Before something ate them.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThere was hardly any room in the pumpkin, as it was naturally filled with flesh and seeds. Ria tunneled into three feet of flesh, batting dangling pumpkin seeds and threads from her face. Her boots sunk unpleasantly into damp pumpkin flesh, and her hands were covered with pumpkin slime.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003eIt's dark in here and it smells like pumpkin,” her grandma complained.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRia firmed her jaw. “Use your flashlight, grandma. I’m going to fix this.” Ria tuned grandma out. She concentrated on the pumpkin, drying it, turning the fibrous flesh into insulation and hardening the outer shell. She also formed a smooth inner shell.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe interior grew as the pumpkin flesh receded. She left a foot of pumpkin wall between them and the deadly Dakota winter. She could barely hear the wind with such a thick sound barrier. It was comforting.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e \u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003eA bright light suddenly blinded her. She yelped and threw her hand in front of her eyes. Grandma had her flashlight pointed at Ria's face.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e “\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003eCan you see the dark?” Grandma asked suspiciously. “Your eyes are glowing green.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003eNo!” Ria gently pointed the flashlight at the ground. Her eyes were naturally green and her hair orange, like grandma’s used to be. But those and the aggressive freckles were natural coloring. Ria’s eyes glowed green because she was a plant mage.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e “\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003ePlease grandma, I'm trying to save us.” Would it kill grandma to wait quietly?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003eDon't know if a pumpkin is the way to do it,” grandma grumbled. “I want my rocking chair.” Grandma was short but very fat, and hadn’t gotten much exercise before their shuffling escape. She was clearly winded.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003eI want you to have your rocking chair,” Ria muttered. This gave her an idea to keep grandma occupied. She took a seed from her pocket and planted it on the floor of the pumpkin. It sprouted into a smaller pumpkin that formed a flat, cushy seat. Vines curled, forming the frame and legs. The seat back was woven with vines and leaves.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRhea admired it briefly. That was some nice work!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGrandma muttered about magic but quickly claimed it. She cradled her purse and her cat bucket as if someone would snatch them. She sneezed and dug out a handkerchief. “I'm cold,'' she announced accusingly.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRia sent her a disbelieving look. “Ok. I'm getting to that.” She stressed the word, biting back the things she wanted to say. Like maybe a little less criticism would be nice. While she saved their lives.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShe cleared a circle in the bottom of the pumpkin, all the way down to frozen dirt. Sweating even though it was damp and cold, she took a break from magic while she gathered the pumpkin seeds (which were now nicely dry) into a pile. The pumpkin stem became a chimney with vent holes on the side. She didn't want to die of smoke inhalation after surviving monsters.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe lighter from her bug out bag and a little bit of pumpkin fiber started a nice bonfire. She tended it until it was going well, then stood and stretched. She was exhausted! She’d never done so much magic in one day.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShe wasn't done either. They were going to need somewhere to sleep. The floor would work in a pinch, but grandma was old. At her age being chilled was a terrible thing.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRia chose a loofah seed this time. It grew into a long green oval the size of a queen bed. Ria turned the sponge inside into a cushy mattress with a floppy, spongy quilt.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShe shifted the seeds next to the dry pile of pumpkin seeds, making sure not to mix the two. Pumpkin seeds were edible.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRia was shaking from so much spent energy, so she sat on the cold floor and wheezed. She dug through her bag and ate half a protein bar and drank some water.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShe’d been too busy to answer her grandma's constant questions, but now she folded back the quilt and showed her grandma the bed.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003eWhat is that? You don't expect me to sleep there, do you?” Grandma asked suspiciously.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRia ignored her and spread the emergency foil blankets. “Come on, Grandma. It's time to sleep.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003eI'll just sleep in the rocking chair,” Grandma said stubbornly. It wouldn’t be the first time.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRia tried logic. “The rocking chair is made out of a magic pumpkin.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003eI don't care.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRia took a breath for strength. “I love you and I don't want you to die of cold, grandma.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003eI'll be fine right here.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNeither love nor logic then. There was no way she was going to let grandma sleep in the chair. Ria made the rocking chair sag a little. With great difficulty, grandma got up.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRia was instantly there, supporting her elbow. “Oh no, it looks as if the rocking chair needs work! I'll try to fix it tomorrow, ok? I'm too tired now.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003eShould have known a magic pumpkin couldn’t be trusted,” grandma fretted.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRia steered her to the loofah. “The floor is too cold to sit on. Why don't you sit on the bed? Ria helped grandma to the bed and tucked her in, on the side closest to the fire, and then went around the bed and climbed in.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnd then Ria slept like the dead.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"western\"\u003e2. A blinding light woke her.\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGrandma shined the flashlight in Ria’s face. “Where are we? I need to go home and feed the cat.” Grandma said. The dementia was bad this morning.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRight. Ria forced herself out of bed and fed the fire, shivering in her chilly coat and boots.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTrying to save them, one pumpkin seed at a time.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShe crawled back into bed to warm up. The pumpkin room wasn't bad for a rush job. The inner shell was hard and smooth, a nice burnt orange. With a little work, it could be comfy.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBut it needed a toilet, right now. Ria got up and grew a pumpkin into a stool shape, forming a hollow inside and a lid hinged with vines. The root was a long deep shaft.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor privacy, she made a vine screen hung with strong, velvety leaves for wiping. She used it, and then helped grandma before leading her back to the fire. “I fixed your rocking chair, grandma.” She demonstrated its sturdiness by bouncing on it. “If you want to sit there, I’ll bring the blanket for you.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003eI want to go home.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003eSoon,” Ria lied. Home was gone. Saying it wouldn’t help, though.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShe peeked outside the door. It was still dark and the storm howled, shoving the door shut. They weren't going anywhere. She made sure her grandma was watching as she slammed the door shut. “Yikes! It’s nasty out there.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThey had three protein bars and two water bottles. Ria let grandma have a bar and water, then pulled a cooked pumpkin seed out of the fire and broke off the burned half. She nibbled on the rest, considering options.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThey could live here, but would need food and water. A proper wood stove or fireplace, because the open fire was a little smoky. They didn't have Wi-Fi or a way to power lights or charge phones.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThey had no car. Haven't had a car in a long time, took the bus shopping. They cleaned the old apartments in exchange for a free room, and lived on grandma's social security, which was never much. Grandma had some government assistance for free grocery vouchers, so that was something.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRia didn't have time for odd jobs. She tried to keep her grades up while doing most of the apartment cleaning. Grandma's health made it hard for her to keep up. At seventeen, Ria was much more fit.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAt least they had the ward stone to keep monsters away. She took the small yellow stone from her pocket, studied it soberly. It was warm, and she could feel the faded magic in it. Maybe it was once powerful, but even rocks got old.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShe glanced at grandma. At eighty-seven, grandma was declining. The dementia had been creeping in for years, and the physical decline was happening faster than expected. It was just a matter of time…\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRia shook her head. One problem at a time. She could handle the food and water for now. Maybe they could arrange grocery delivery later? Power was a problem, but maybe a generator would work? How did you use a generator? How much did they cost? They ran on gas, which meant she’d have to find a gas station.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThey had no Wi-Fi, but did have data through the cell phones. There was no way to charge them, though. Grandma would need medicine. So many things.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFirst things first. They needed more water. The storm was still raging. Grandma couldn't go outside and it was a miracle she'd made it to the pumpkin without falling. She was exhausted. Ria didn't wanna leave her. A glance at her phone showed it was still a little early for phone calls.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShe thought for a bit, and then planted another seed. A pumpkin vine grew through the wall and wound around the house, forming a gutter to collect water. She made a water barrel indoors out of a hardened, hollow cucumber (because cucumber water tasted better than gourd water and she was tired of pumpkin) and routed the water to drain into it, making sure she added an overflow valve. She’d learned that tip from cleaning the apartment rain barrels.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShe grew a dipper gourd and made some bowls and cups out of gourds. If it weren’t for the grim circumstances, she’d have enjoyed the situation. Her magic was fun, and she enjoyed making things.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRia heard a noise outside. Voices.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003eOf course it's a mage,” a man was saying. “You see that perfectly square door? You think a monster made that?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSomeone knocked on the door.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003eWho’s there?” grandma called. “Ria, go see who it is.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRia took a seed in hand, just in case. Then she cautiously opened the door. It was two guys she recognized from school. One looked very surprised to see her. The other one looked pleased.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003eI didn't know you were a mage,” Viggo said. Viggo Aze was seventeen, a year ahead of her in school. The frost giant was seven foot tall, but so personable he wasn’t the least intimidating. “We were just on our way to school and…” He frowned with concern. “Are you ok?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAre you ok? Ria stared at him, unsure what to say. She had been holding it together until he asked. Until someone cared.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShe swallowed. “Not really,'' she said, and the story poured out.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt was amazing how easy it was to be strong until someone asked how you were doing and genuinely cared. Ria was a little surprised to find that she wasn't doing very well. Sure, she was holding it together, but just barely. She hadn't had time to process the situation and the loss of their home.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eViggo and his friend had been on the way to school. They saw the pumpkin and investigated. Viggo was sure it was mage built, had convinced his friend to check it out, expecting to see a gruff older man, maybe. No one was more surprised to find a teen girl and her grandma in need of help.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eViggo was a natural leader. He started making phone calls. By the end of the day not only did they have groceries, a table and clothes, they also had a generator in an attached pumpkin shed and windows.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt turned out his friend’s dad used to be a mobile welder. He owned a bar now, and didn’t need the generator at the moment. He brought it over and installed it with his son’s help, stringing LED lights and a charging outlet for the phones.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSomeone else found her an old pellet stove, easily installing it with the help of a little pumpkin magic.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt helped that everyone wanted to see the pumpkin house.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThere was some talk of finding another place for them, but apartments were in short supply, thanks to an oil fracking boom, and rent was going up. It was generally agreed that the pumpkin made a good house for now.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003eAlso, it’s pretty darn cool,” the man installing the pellet stove said. “I might have to buy a shed from you for my mother-in-law. We’ve been talking about moving her closer.” He glanced at her grandma speculatively, probably thinking of his own elderly relative, and possibly the logistics of moving her.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHe was wearing a mask out of deference to her grandma. There was a virulent flu strain going around, with deadly consequences for the elderly and immunocompromised. Hospitals were full and understaffed, and funeral homes were busy.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRia’s grandma had scoffed, but Ria had taken extra care to avoid bringing home even a cold virus, afraid it could turn out to be more. She knew people who had died, had friends with dead grandparents and family.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGrandma might be selfish and narcissistic, but she was all Ria had.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAt the end of the day, Ria was exhausted but relieved. They wouldn't starve. They had help, shelter. They could do this.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003eI don’t know how to thank you,” she told Viggo. “You were so much help.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHe grinned. His friend had gone home to help with chores, but Viggo had brought her and grandma a pizza for lunch. “It was nothing. Anyone would have done it.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShe scoffed. “Yeah, right. Really, is there anything I can do?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHe shrugged. “Pay it forward. Someone else will need your help some day.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"center\" class=\"western\"\u003e***\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSchool was possible thanks to the gift of an old laptop and a spare modem. She was able to attend virtual classes daily while keeping an eye on grandma. It was nice to avoid the cold bus ride, but being trapped with grandma all day was rough. She had a small TV now, and knitting, so she made mountains of hats while Ria did school with headphones to block the noise.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBut when school was over, there were cat stories. Incessant, wild, plentiful cat stories. They never ended.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003ePuss was such a good cat. She loved your daddy. She killed a raccoon one time when he was little. Clean tore it’s head off.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRia clenched her jaw. Her father had died in a car accident three years ago. Hearing about him still hurt. Her mom had been gone for a long time, but that was an old pain. These false stories about him and the cat raked her heart.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003eShe sat by the window every day waiting for him.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe cat had died last winter. It preferred to hide on its tall cat stand in a dark corner. It was an odd cat.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt was useless to correct grandma, either. She refused to stop lying. It wasn’t the dementia, either. She’d done it all of Ria’s life.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003eShe used to open doors whenever she wanted out.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRia paused in rummaging through the snow filled cooler, startled by the truth. The cat had been able to open doors. They’d had to make sure their door was always locked or the cat would get out.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003eShe stared at his picture all the time…”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRia sighed. Cat stories were exhausting.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"center\" class=\"western\"\u003e***\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRia did end up making pumpkin sheds, and earned good money doing it, too.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe former welder with the local bar was her first customer. He cussed like a sailor but was a wonderful guy. He kept the generator gassed, although he showed Ria how to operate it.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHe insisted on paying her for the pumpkin shed, too. Said business was brisk, so there was no reason he couldn’t pay her. He lectured her on offering it too cheaply, too. “Know what sheds are going for and don’t undercut the other guys too badly. It’s bad for everyone.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShe made a fancy, three tier pumpkin shed for his bar of different colored, stacked pumpkins. It was good for business, especially when he added local pumpkin beer, pumpkin bread and locally made pumpkin ravioli on the menu.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShe sold several sheds that way, hiring a man with a flatbed trailer. She grew the pumpkins on the trailer, then he strapped them down and delivered them to their destination.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt was a drought year and hay was scarce. A farmer contacted her about pumpkins for his cows, and paid her by the truck load. A couple of other farmers contacted her also. It made her feel good, doing her part to help her community.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSoon she had earned enough for a used car. She was saving for an apartment, and had vague plans about moving in the spring. After all, they didn’t own the land they were on, and would have to move eventually. Her best bet was to sell the pumpkin, let someone haul it away while they moved into a new place.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe bar owner hooked her up with a good used car and Viggo gave her driving lessons. He was patient while they navigated the slick roads at a crawl, although he insisted on listening to country music on the radio.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003eThat’s really distracting,” Ria said mildly, hands clutched on the wheel. She had to adjust the seat before driving, because Viggo had it cranked back as far as he could, and still didn’t have enough leg room. Compact cars weren’t made for frost giants.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003eGood. It will make you a better driver. Slow down now, that’s a stop sign,” Viggo said as they lurched to a stop, narrowly missing a lump of ice left by the plow.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnd then he took her to an empty parking lot and showed her how to deal with spin outs by doing brodies on the slick pavement. It was terrifying and fun.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003eTurn into the spin,” he advised calmly. Nothing seemed to ruffle him. “Work with it, not against it, or you can flip.” He pulled to a stop. “Now you try.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"center\" class=\"western\"\u003e***\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSoon grandma needed a walker. She was vain about it, but she didn’t have the strength to get up out of her rocking chair on her own.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe squeak across the floor was maddening.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003eTennis balls,” the bar owner, Bob, advised sagely when he stopped by with gas to check on them. “My friend’s dad’s walker was like that. Tennis balls muffles it.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003eI’ll order some,” Ria said promptly. Anything to stop the noise.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"left\" class=\"western\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e“\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003eNo need. I just bought a pack for my dog. You can have some. I’ll send the kid with them,” he said, referring to his son. Ignoring her protests, he waved goodbye and took his gas jug with him.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Autumn Dawn","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45733359878372,"sku":"WinterFrost_Ebook","price":2.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0661\/9771\/7220\/files\/WFrost_2025_ebook.jpg?v=1741208867"},{"product_id":"monster-hunter-alpha-ebook","title":"Monster Queen Alpha – Paranormal Romance with Dragons \u0026 Monster Lore, Novella, 6 in Convergance Series (Ebook)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA high-action paranormal romance with dragons, dangerous deals, and a monster hunter who’s done running. Book 6 in the Convergance Series—readable as a standalone.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI'd been running from monsters for so long, I'd forgotten what it was like to stand still.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWorking as a nanny for a former dragon king isn't smart, but the pay is too good to refuse. All I have to do is survive three days before my charm wears off and the dragons turn on me.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eToo bad it's suicidal to argue with a dragon...\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBut when my past catches up with me in the form of an armored monster I once commanded, I realize my greatest threat isn't what's hunting me—it's what I'll become when I stop running.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-italic\"\u003eMonster Queen Alpha is a novella featuring a tough-as-nails southern elf with a traumatic past, a former dragon king with unexpected depth, and the monster she never thought she'd see again. Expect action, romance, and found family in this urban fantasy adventure set in a world where magic and technology collide.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eNo explicit content, standalone novella in the Convergence series. For fans of feel good, family friendly fantasy.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003eReaders are saying:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e“\u003cspan class=\"a-text-italic\"\u003eCan’t wait for the next book! I have a handful of authors that I follow and watch for their books and I have to say yours will always be on that list!”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e“\u003cspan class=\"a-text-italic\"\u003ePhenomenal!”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWith dark elves hunting her family, a former fighting pit monster seeking her out, and a dragon king offering protection with strings attached, Dixie Jones must decide whether to keep running or finally stand and fight—not just for herself, but for the makeshift family she never expected to find.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Autumn Dawn","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46337864401124,"sku":"MonsterQueenAlpha_Ebook","price":3.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0661\/9771\/7220\/files\/Monster_Queen_Alpaha_2025_ebook.jpg?v=1771357448"},{"product_id":"bramble-burn-book-1-of-the-convergence-series","title":"Bramble Burn: Book 1 of the Convergence series (ebook)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eIt's been thirty years since the Convergence, when the dimensions aligned and combined Earth and the world of Gwyllon, known in human mythology as “Underhill”. Elven castles and ancient ruins sprouted on vacant lots and merged with existing buildings, twisting into new structures. Roads and rail systems reformed, and after the rioting, starvation and death, agriculture sorted itself and food began to flow. A new government formed of elves and men arose, a society of human tech and elven magic. Tech and frost giants, race cars and elven steeds, dungeons and dragons…\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eAnd everywhere, monsters.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTree mage Juniper was twenty-three, a child of the new generation. When she found a source of magic buried in an abandoned park, she made a deal with the city. If she can stabilize the park’s wild magic, she’ll own it…if she can survive. Now she has to clear out magic spawned monsters, deal with a werewolf suitor and survive her bloodthirsty dragon uncle. She’s going to have to dig deep to subdue Bramble Burn Park.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHot but sweet romance. Does not contain explicit sex scenes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat readers are saying:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e“Fantastic Fun with Flora!”\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e“Light-hearted fantasy smattered with romance!”\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e“I love the female lead—she's a strong and no-nonsense plant mage and she makes it look easy.”\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e“Still, this is all in all a good, solid story with well fleshed central characters and a warm family quality.”\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e“You won’t be disappointed by reading this book if you’re looking for a novel plot, a gutsy heroine, and excellent supporting characters.”\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e“Absolutely love this book. Very strong female heroine. Reminds me of the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews. Highly recommend it. Clean, funny, great world building, action packed. Very original, too.”\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e“A fun, gentle almost cozy urban fantasy that didn’t escalate to world-ending stakes. How refreshing!”\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e“Bramble Burn is a good read with interesting characters and a catchy plot. The romance angle is a nice hook and I was glad that sex wasn’t the main driving force of the book.”\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e“Her writing style and detail drew me in chapter after chapter. I really didn’t want it to end!”\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch1 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #0d0d0d;\"\u003e✨\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 20px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003eRead a Sample of Bramble Burn now:\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"western\"\u003eChapter 1\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"You're a fool, girl.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJuniper Rose stared at the blasted, twisted wreckage of the former park and contemplated her mother's words. She might have a point.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe kicked the dirt with her worn work boot, her sky blue eyes surveying the scorched, salted soil. Broken glass glittered in the late afternoon light and she smelled motor oil and threadbare tires warmed by the June sun. Trash caught on the burnt skeletons of trees and old cars, and she could smell something rotten, probably carrion. The local gangs probably dumped bodies here.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBramble Park had once been a cute little park in an upscale neighborhood, five blocks long by two blocks wide. After the Convergence, a well of wild magic had opened, spawning monsters. The panicked neighbors tried to burn it, hoping to stop the critters from eating their children, and the army had used explosives. The park kept growing, quadrupling, spawning nightmares. Finally it was quarantined, the once prosperous neighborhood now a slum. The remaining residents installed bars on windows and doors and invested in guns; there were no pacifists here.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt had been thirty years since the Convergence, when the dimensions aligned and combined Earth and the world of Gwyllon, known in human mythology as \"Underhill\". Elven castles and random buildings sprouted in vacant lots, on major highways; merging with existing buildings, twisting into completely new structures; the courthouse had merged with an Elven government building. Roads and rail systems reformed, and after the rioting, starvation and death, agriculture sorted itself out and food began to flow. A new government formed of elves and men had arisen, a society of human tech and elven magic. Cell phones and frost giants, race cars and elven steeds, dungeons and dragons…\u003cbr\u003eAnd everywhere, monsters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJuniper was twenty-three, a child of the new generation of small farmers. Her grandfather was Tylwyth Teg, an elf of the forest. Her father had been mostly normal, or pretended to be, but Juniper had her grandfather's hunger for growing things. He'd tolerated her visiting his woods as long as he could, but there could be only one Forest Lord. He'd told her kindly but firmly to find her own wood. She could not go back, or he'd kill her.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Be sure to write, let me know how you're doing,\" he'd said, and meant it. After all, they were family.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHer mother paced the farmhouse while Juniper packed. Juniper had her light brown hair and lanky body, but they couldn't be more different. \"I don't know what's gotten into you! You don't see your sister or cousins leaving. Cities are dirty and dangerous, and if you were sensible, you'd get your head out of the clouds and stay here.\" She couldn't hear the call of wild magic and had dismissed Juniper's reasons for leaving. If she didn't like something, it was a bad idea, and reason wouldn't sway her.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJuniper patted her Black Adder mount, Twix, and rummaged in his saddlebags. A mix of horse and Kudu, it had a kudu tail and long spiral horns, a broad deer's head, fast horse body and horse hooves. Its bite was mildly venomous and it liked to dine on hay, bracken and small rodents. He was tireless and cheaper than a car, because gas was expensive. Convergence caused magical pulses that played havoc with geology, and magic was needed to reinforce oil wells and mines. The dark elves had cornered the market on the technology, and it wasn't cheap.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA mist rose, obscuring rusting cars, a crashed airplane and blackened ground. Parts of it had been salted, as if salt could contain magical monsters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHer hand brushed aside the deed to Bramble Park, aka Bramble Burn. She'd made a deal with the city of Spokane and gotten it cheap, on the condition that she stop the expansion. She had a year to do what no one else had done and no time to waste. She couldn't afford a hotel if she wanted to buy supplies, and she wouldn't survive a night in the open. A group of rough men openly watched her, and shadows slinked in the Bramble. Her rifle could only do so much to protect her.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe pulled out her seed collection and chose an acorn. Time to move in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Keep an eye out, Twix.\" She moved a bit deeper into the park and gently breathed on the acorn, the way one would blow on dice before a throw. She didn't believe in luck, but it helped calm her nerves. This was a big moment, and she didn't want to screw it up.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe placed the acorn on the ground and mentally plunged into the magic of Bramble Burn. A thrill chilled her. There was a river of power here, waiting to be tapped. It tested her, a wild current eager to drown her like it had done to so many others, but she knew how to tame wild magic. She channeled the magic and anchored it to the acorn.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGleeful to have a target, it grabbed the acorn and pulled it under the soil. A sprout emerged, rippling the ground with its rapid growth. A normal oak grew a hundred feet tall and four feet wide. This one widened until it was the girth of a house and soared thirty stories, as tall as a redwood. The leaves spread over the ruined park, forming a huge canopy of green.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDeep in her trance, Juniper stepped inside the hollow tree, followed by Twix, and sealed the door. Dusk was approaching, and they needed solid walls between them and the Bramble, but they also needed light. Narrow windows of thick amber formed beside the door, acting like one-way mirrors. More dotted the trunk, forming an amber spiral, and her eyes slowly adjusted to the gloom.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJuniper breathed deeply of fresh green oak, feeling the exertion. She formed a box stall with a sandy floor and took a break to remove Twix's tack. She taught the tree to draw water into a basin for him and made one for her own use across the way, adding a drain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe was trembling, so she quickly formed a crude toilet and called it a night. Exhausted, she washed and ate jerky and trail mix.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe floor was hard under her sleeping bag, but it was solid and she was safe. She slept like a log.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tree screeched in her mind, jolting her awake. Twix paced his stall, frantic with the smell of smoke.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat the garbage? Was someone trying to smoke them out? Fuzzy with sleep, Juniper tapped into the tree to see what the problem was and flinched. There were things crawling on the limbs, burrowing into the bark. They were infested with mutant squirrels!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tree groaned in pain as another blast of fire seared the bark. She peered cautiously through the amber windows and saw a pack of giant hedgehogs breathing fire, having a squirrel barbecue. They were milling in excitement at the all-they-could-eat buffet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlrighty then.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe was already dressed, so she sat on her bedroll in a lotus position and focused on the tree. \"Time to exterminate some pests.\" She let the tree feel her outrage, the need to protect and avenge. She fed it power and limbs suddenly became limber, swatting and squeezing Rottweiler-sized saber-toothed squirrels into jelly. It flung carcasses at the hedgehogs, bowling them over. While they were distracted, the roots and branches snared the hogs, binding and crushing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe magic built, and Juniper grew lightheaded. She directed the tap roots to draw on the aquifer, pulling up massive amounts of water to quench the fire ravaging her branches. Dots peppered her vision, and she strained to rein in the energy. It resisted, testing her. She dug deep and hauled up hard, forcing it to spin until it stopped fighting. Roots burrowed into the ground with a sigh and blackened limbs hardened.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSirens split the night. Dizzy, she staggered to the door and peered out the narrow window. Fire trucks and armored police vehicles screeched to a halt next to smoking carcasses. Making sure the tree was quiet, she cracked the door, her vision watery. She flinched at the glare of headlights and reached for the wall, but the light grew and punched her in the face.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe must have fainted, because when she came to, she was lying on a stretcher with a flashlight beam in her eyes. She turned her head and tried to sit up, but that made the world flare white. She gave up.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"She's awake. I can't find any injuries,\" an elven EMT reported.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Jus' tired,\" Juniper slurred. \"How's Twix? He bites.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA head blocked her view and resolved into a man's grim face. \"My name is Lt. Bjorn. I'm with Fire and Rescue. Can you make a statement?\" He had dark eyes and short dark hair and might be in his late twenties. Judging from his black Kevlar and the rifle over his shoulder, he was the Rescue. If there was mayhem, soldiers were deployed along with fire crews. They were empowered to make arrests, though mostly they shot things until they stopped twitching.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Sure. My tree was attacked by mutant squirrels. I need to make some adjustments.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe scowled. \"I should arrest you for disturbing the peace and trespassing.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJuniper gulped the sweet, salty drink the EMT handed her and was able to sit up. \"I bought the park from the city. I have the deed, so it's not trespassing.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"I'd like to see this deed.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Sure. Please bring me my pack.\" She nodded to the tree, which emergency personnel and assorted gawkers were giving a wide berth. \"She'll behave.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe looked doubtful, but approached the door. The warning snort inside made him pause.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Twix, come here,\" Juniper called, summoning the beast. He'd never let the soldier in without her.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe crowd moved back warily as he walked out of the tree. Black Adders weren't known to cotton to strangers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe lieutenant brought her pack. She rummaged in it and found the deed so he could look at it. \"I'm surprised Fire and Rescue was called out for Bramble Burn.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"You grew a tree as tall as a skyscraper and set it on fire. It could be seen for miles, and you're surprised anyone noticed?\" he said dryly. \"Sheer curiosity would have gotten us called out, if nothing else.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"That's me, drama queen.\" Her poor tree. She couldn't see around the lieutenant's broad shoulders, and the spotlights were blinding. She tried to access her magic to check the tree for damage and nearly blacked out. Spots danced before her eyes and she quickly lay back. She felt like puking. Clearly, she'd used up her reserves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Your blood pressure's low,\" the medic reported. \"We need to take you to the hospital for observation.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Nope, too expensive. I'll be fine tomorrow.\" Juniper struggled to sit up, but the medic placed a hand on her shoulder and pointed to the smoldering tree. Smoking corpses littered the ground, and splintered holes gaped in the hollow trunk. \"Were you planning to stay there?\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJuniper sighed in defeat. There was no way she could patch it up, not tonight, but a hospital stay was out of the question. \"I just need food and rest. Any chance you could drop me at a hotel on the way back?\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLt. Bjorn exchanged a look with the medic. \"Look, we have room at the station. You can bunk there tonight. We have medics on staff who can keep an eye on you.\" At her doubtful look, he added, \"Or I could arrest you and toss you a cell for a few hours. It's not pretty, but you'll get some sleep without becoming a chipmunk snack.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot much of a choice, and she was weak as wet paper. \"Fine. I accept your hospitality. Appreciate it.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"My pleasure. Now I won't have to come back later for your body.\" He left to help with cleanup.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat a grouch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"You really bought Bramble Burn?\" The medic chatted while Juniper was loaded into the ambulance for the ride to the station. \"You do things like that often?\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"First time for everything,\" Juniper mumbled. She was so tired. Maybe she'd been overconfident. Obviously she needed to tweak a few things. If she wanted to anchor the park, she'd need a safe place to crawl home to at night and a way to keep from draining her energy. She couldn't afford to be weak, or the Burn would eat her.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe station was a stark brick building on a city lot. It was clean inside and furnished with Government Issue furniture and castoffs. She walked in under her own steam and nearly fell into one of the kitchen chairs. The pair of F\u0026amp;R guys with kitchen duty looked at her uncertainly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"She needs to eat and crash,\" Bjorn said, placing a bowl of steaming stew in front of her. \"It was that or arrest her so she wouldn't get killed in the Burn.\" He had the handsome soldier thing down, but his harsh tone was off-putting. Did he resent saving her? Maybe he'd rather be home watching football.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJuniper ignored him. The stew fortified her enough that she could coax Twix into a box stall, calming his furious protests. He'd followed the ambulance, but they wouldn't let him hang out on the street, scaring pedestrians.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Quit, old man. They aren't going to eat us,\" she muttered, rubbing his neck. She was tempted to lie down in the hay, but Lt. Bjorn was watching. If she looked too weak, he might decide the hospital was the place for her.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe showered, but it took all she had. The bunk in the women's dorm was clean, and she collapsed on it gratefully. She had a thousand things to do tomorrow, and she couldn't wait to start the day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"western\"\u003eChapter 2\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"What did you do to the bed?\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJuniper opened her eyes and peered at the frowning woman. It took a moment to remember the attack, fire and rescue. She sat up and looked at the bunk bed, then hopped off for a better look. \"Holy cow!\" The bedposts had sprouted into saplings, rooting into the floor as she slept. The branches formed a canopy over the top bunk, shielding her as she slept. The only thing missing was a flock of little birdies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe looked at the fire fighter, dumbfounded. \"That never happened before.\" Did it have something to do with Bramble Burn? She could sense the park, even from here. Had the tree done something to tune her senses to the park's power? The tree was supposed to anchor the magic, to be the first of many \"fence posts\". She'd never dreamed that the wild energy might change her, too.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe woman snorted. \"The guys are never going to believe this. Come on, let's get breakfast.\" She waited while Juniper brushed her hair and changed into jeans and a t-shirt, then led the way downstairs, chatting as she went. \"I'm Mia, by the way. Word has it Kjetil picked you up from Bramble Park. You know, we were on the roof yesterday with binoculars watching that tree of yours grow. You're the talk of the town. No one knew if it was some kind of new monster.\" Mia had short, straight black hair and was built small but sturdy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Cher-til? Is that Lt. Bjorn's first name?\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Yep. He's one of the Norse wolves. The local pack likes to keep an eye on the city, and wolves like action, so we've got a couple on staff. Hope you like cinnamon rolls.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMia handed her a plate and introduced the day crew. There were four on duty, plus Mia, and all of them had questions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"How did you grow a tree that big, that fast?\" a large black man, Karl, wanted to know. He was responsible for the cinnamon rolls, and he had a southern drawl.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Did you know you were on the news?\" Faolán, an Irishman with black hair and a neatly trimmed goatee, wanted to know. He waved a hand at the TV. \"Not many tree mages out there.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"I'm not a mage,\" Juniper protested. \"More like a farmer.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"That's a bloody big tree, farm girl,\" Faolán remarked. \"But you can't mean to go back there?\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"I do, yes. I need to fix my tree.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Now that's crazy talk,\" Karl said. He set his coffee aside and leaned closer. \"You'll ruin all of Bjorn's hard work. What are you going to do the next time a mutant woodchuck sets your tree on fire? You can't count on rescue every time.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJuniper nodded. \"Good point. May I have some paper? I need to add it to the list.\" She took a pencil and sketched a rough tree diagram. \"You're an expert on safety. What do I need to plan for?\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMia peered at her sketch. \"For starters, you need to plan for fire. Second, you need something stronger than wood to keep the critters out. You've already proven they think of giant trees as chew toys.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJuniper drew a picture of a tree burning and stick figures running around, arms in the air. She drew a slash through it. \"Tougher skin. I can do that.\" She thought about the junk cars and made scales on the trunk. She had plenty of metal to work with. She sketched rain water collection tanks that would be hidden in the walls of the tree and added a greenhouse on top.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"What's that?\" Karl asked.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Greenhouse. I need to grow herbs and stuff,\" she said absently.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"What kind of herbs?\" he asked suspiciously.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe laughed. \"The legal kind, like saffron and chocolate. I need to make money, and I need to eat. A garden won't be safe on the ground right now.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"You can grow chocolate?\" Mia asked with interest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"It doesn't matter. It will be too vulnerable. You'll have giant grasshoppers trying to break in,\" Karl warned.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Bullet proof glass and protective shutters,\" Juniper added to her list.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"What's to stop something from eating you when you leave your tree?\" Faolán wanted to know. \"That's when you'll be most vulnerable.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Defenses, very important.\" Juniper drew a ring of thorns around the tree and studied the picture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Bramble Burn is in the middle of a tough neighborhood,\" Mia said seriously. \"You can be mugged or worse.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJuniper met her eyes. \"I could be. Twix is dangerous, but he could be shot. I could be shot. I'll have to take steps to prevent that.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Kevlar,\" Faolán suggested.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Bodyguards,\" Karl grumped.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJuniper cocked her head. \"Tenants,\" she said thoughtfully.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKarl guffawed. \"You think you're going to get renters in Bramble Burn? You're crazy, girl.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJuniper smiled. \"Could be. Anyway, thank you for breakfast. Is there anything I can do to thank you before I go?\" She looked at Mia. \"I'm sorry about the bed. I'm afraid I can't \"ungrow\" a tree, but I can pay for damages.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"What's up with the bed?\" Faolán wanted to know.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMia grinned. \"Go see for yourself. Don't worry about it, girl. It's a conversation piece. But if you're serious about helping out, maybe you could look at the back yard. It's a sorry bit of concrete, and we could use a tree or something for shade when we grill.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJuniper followed her outside and surveyed the back lot. It was cracked concrete with weedy cracks and a couple of rickety wooden tables and lawn chairs, surrounded by a battered wooden fence. She nodded. \"I can do something with this. Did you have anything particular in mind?\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe crew looked at each other. \"Nothing high maintenance,\" Karl suggested. \"Maybe a tree and some grass.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Can you plant herbs? I love rosemary,\" Mia added.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"No problem. Let me get my seeds. You can go about your work while I do this, and I'll show you what I've done when it's finished.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe was saddling Twix when Lt. Bjorn entered the stable. Thankfully the crew had grabbed her tack and saddlebags when they finished with her tree last night, or she'd be riding bareback. It was less than a mile to the park, but a saddle was welcome.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"You did the back yard,\" he said with a tinge of admiration. His eyes swept over her, as if seeing something new. \"I had no idea it could look so good.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe smiled. It hadn't been hard to line the lot with hedges and sprout a climbing oak. It had a branch that would be perfect for a porch swing, and she'd made a bench extend from the trunk for extra seating. The lot was lined with a sturdy hazelnut hedge and she'd used the roots to break up the concrete into pavers. Irish moss grew thick and green in the cracks. She'd planted an herb garden and cherry tree, too. \"It was my pleasure.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"You could make a fortune in the landscape business. Why put your life in danger over a burned out park?\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe sounded like her mother. \"You wouldn't get it.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Try me,\" he challenged.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe sighed and petted Twix over the stall wall, swatting when he tried to nibble. \"I'm not like your average Jill. I need to feed, and I need to grow things. Big things. Without them, I wither and die. Bramble Park has what I need to thrive.\" She struggled for words. \"It has the right…current.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe didn't look impressed. \"What were your other options?\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAffordable forest sites didn't grow on trees. She scowled and opened the stall door to tack up. \"Why? Trying to run me off?\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"I'm trying to save your life. Bramble Burn spawns monsters the way bunnies pop out babies. You'll fight every day you live there, and the gangs will eat you alive.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe didn't answer, because he was right. To tame Bramble Burn, she'd need every ounce of power and divine grace she could muster. She bridled Twix and led him from the stall. \"I appreciate the hospitality.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"You're leaving?\" He walked her out of the stable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Yes. I need to get to work.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe was silent for a moment. \"Karl said you had some ideas to make the tree safer.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Yes.\" She hesitated. \"The first steps are still dangerous, but I have to start somewhere.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Do you think you can do it?\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Yep.\" She mounted up.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe looked her over thoughtfully, his eyes still dark. Was he worried about her? \"Will the tree be done today?\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe shook her head. \"It will be two days at least, but it will be easy to close the holes today. I'll have some protection while I work.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"I see. Do me a favor; sleep here tonight. I'd rather not be called out to the Burn again.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe looked away, considering it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"You more than earned it with the yard work. Beside, you've given the crew something to talk about, and you already marked your bunk.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHis smile made her heart beat faster, but she didn't need romance right now; too much to do. She tried to sound casual. \"Okay. Just for tonight. I won't need it after that. I appreciate the offer.\" It would be good to have a place to rest tonight, and she would be dog tired.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Cool. See you then.\" He stepped back and let her ride away.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe gangs watched her as she trotted up to the Burn, and this time the neighbors stared, too. She kept an eye on them, but her senses were busy on the tree and the immediate vicinity. The tree rustled with pleasure at her approach and assured her there were no monsters inside. She hurried past the burned carcasses and into the tree, sealing the door. The first thing she did was help the tree repair the bark so she could work safely, though she wouldn't take that safety for granted. The Bramble had taught her an important lesson, and she would watch her back.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe settled Twix in his sandy stall and helped the tree \"breathe\" away the smoke stink. She didn't want to be distracted while she worked.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe next bit was harder. She stood in the center of the floor and thought about her battery. She knew the theory of how to make one, but she'd never had access to a power source like Bramble Burn. It took a river of power to make, and it was dangerous. If she got cocky, the battery could explode, taking her, the tree and Twix with it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJuniper took a breath and centered herself. The well of power was there, eager to play. It wanted a job to do, and Juniper taught it exciting things. It jumped to do her bidding with the subtly of a runaway train, and she had to coax it to pay attention. She wanted to show it something intricate, but it fought to run wild, showing her images of monsters and crazy carnivorous plants. She ignored the suggestions and waited like a patient teacher, slowly building a matrix to contain the energy. A staff rose from the tree's heart like an exotic stalk, formed of oak heartwood. Amber \"fuel cells\" twined around the staff, sinking deep to form beautiful designs. The cells hardened, accepting a carbon infusion that made the staff three times harder than steel, nearly unbreakable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJuniper gently grasped the staff and detached it from the tree's heart. When not in use, it would appear to be ordinary wood with dull brown markings; no sense advertising its value. Not that just anyone could use it: only someone who could harness the power of Bramble Burn could wield the staff.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe was lightheaded when she finished, so she sat and ate the cinnamon rolls and bacon Karl had packed for her. She admired the staff, stroking the smooth surface. She'd need to make a saddle sheath so she could ride with it. It would be awkward, but she couldn't leave it lying around. Besides, the staff wasn't just a tool, it was a weapon, and she needed all the help she could get.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe was ready to head to the station when the tree sensed a disturbance. She looked out the one-way glass and frowned. Why was there an elf on her doorstep?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe stepped outside, leading a saddled Twix, and carefully looked the boy over. In his late teens and lean, with short dark hair, the kid looked cautious, but hopeful. His worn t-shirt and jeans were clean and he wore beat up sneakers. He was armed with twin machetes, a cheap but effective weapon, and very necessary in this neighborhood. If he had a gun, it wasn't in plain sight. Tucked in his waistband, maybe?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"What do you want?\" She saw no reason to be friendly yet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"My name is Grigori. I'm looking for a job. I heard you might need protection.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Is this a shakedown?\" she demanded, temper rising. She wasn't paying the local gangs a dime, and they would regret asking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"No! I'm looking for honest work.\" He glanced at the park. \"You've got a lot of heavy lifting to do.\" He looked her over quickly, as if gauging her strength. \"I'm not afraid of dirty jobs.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe considered him. Up close, she could tell he was only half elf; his shoulders promised to be too wide and he was a bit short for an elf. Also, his ears were pointy, but he had broad features, attractive, but not pretty. \"You want to work in Bramble Burn.\" Times were hard, true, but was he crazy? Her eyes narrowed. Maybe he was a felon or a user and couldn't find work. \"Are you high?\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"I don't use.\" A muscle jumped in his jaw. \"I'm clean.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe gestured with her staff. \"I don't have any money.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe nodded to the abandoned cars. \"You have tons of scrap metal. I know a guy. What if I sell it for you, get it towed? Would you split the money?\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe raised a brow. If he could do it, it would save her a lot of trouble and earn badly needed cash. \"Maybe. You got any references?\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe shifted. \"My mother works at a salon. You can ask her boss about me; I've done some odd jobs for her…look out!\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe spun to see what put the look of panic on his face and cried out as Twix shied and knocked her over. She rolled with the impact so she wouldn't land on her staff and hissed as broken glass cut her shoulder. This was no place to roll in the clover.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwix screamed in anger, twisting as he tried to throw off the huge saber tooth house cat clinging to his rump. Before she could rise to help, an orange striped tabby jumped for her ankle, jaws gaping. A machete swished, and the cat fell on her leg, spurting blood.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJuniper swore and scrambled up, ready to beat a cat to death with her staff, but Grigori stabbed the last one with a lightning fast thrust. A frantic glance showed Twix stomping the one who'd played rodeo to paste. Warm, wet blood soaked through her boot and jeans as she surveyed the dead mutant cats, each as big as a bobcat. She shuddered, knowing it had been close.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrigori wiped his machetes on a corpse, looking smug. \"That could have been bad.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHer eyes narrowed as she considered whether he might have sicced the cats on her to prove a point, but she couldn't see how. He looked like a typical cocky teen, proud of his prowess.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnfortunately, the incidence proved a point. \"You're likely to see a lot of more of that and very little money, working for me. But you're hired.\" She checked Twix and decided to treat his cuts at the station. It was best not to ride him now, when he was hurting, or she'd risk worsening the injury. She started walking. \"I can always fire you if you annoy me.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"What about the bodies? They'll attract scavengers,\" Grigori pointed out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Ugh, right! Give me a minute.\" She was exhausted, but her \"employee\" could use a demonstration that she wasn't a complete dud. The staff helped a lot, and the amber glowed as she told the oak to pull last night's bodies, as well as today's fresh kills, into the ground for compost.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrigori took a respectful step back, warily watching the ground.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe smirked, feeling better, and led Twix away.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrigori matched her stride. \"I'll try to get the tow truck out here tomorrow. We might have to check the cars for varmints, though. Maybe we should smoke them out.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe shrugged. “Whatever. Just don’t burn down the park.” Her sock squelched, and she grimaced at the tacky feeling of drying blood. “Where did you learn to do that?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe shrugged. “Dad took off, so we learned to defend the house ourselves. No loss.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Who’s ‘we’?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Mom, two brothers, two sisters. I’m oldest.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“You got a trade in mind?” she asked.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe looked at her. “I’m working on it. I want my own salvage yard someday, maybe a welding shop.” He said it defiantly, as if he’d been mocked for it before.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe laughed. “Yeah? I’ve got lots of junk. Knock yourself out.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe made it to the station at dusk and waved goodbye to Grigori. She still didn’t trust him, but time would tell.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“You made it back,” Lt. Bjorn observed. He was stirring gravy in a pan, the brisk motion doing excellent things to his biceps. He wore his black military pants and a black t-shirt that stretched over his carved chest. He had to be fit for his job, and it looked good on him.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe turned off the burner and looked her over. “I smell blood.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Yep. I was attacked by a mutant kitty. Fortunately, my teenage sidekick reduced it to sashimi. He’s half elf, and he likes junk cars.” She rambled when she was tired, and today had been a heck of day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“You’re bleeding, too.” He breathed deeply and walked around to look at her shoulder with disapproval. “May I?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Sure. I already glued Twix back together.” Coming from a farm, she had lots of experience cleaning and treating wounded animals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe grimaced as he gently peeled back the sticky cotton to examine the cut. “It stings, but I don’t think it’s too bad.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Take a shower and rinse it out, and I’ll get the unicorn glue,” he said gruffly. Named for miraculous unicorn flower and made of natural botanical ingredients, the glue had amazing healing properties and numbing agents.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwenty minutes later, Juniper sat at the table with a cup of cocoa while he dug the remaining glass fragments out of her shoulder. It sucked getting dressed, but at least the tank top and jeans were clean. “I appreciate this, Bjorn.” He smelled good, and despite his grouchy demeanor, he had a gentle touch. She had to work hard to remain casual.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Call me Kjetil. I think we’re well enough acquainted now,” he said dryly, dropping a glass fragment in the bowl next to him. He set the tweezers aside and put a towel under the gash as he rinsed it with saline. “I don’t think you’ll scar; the glue is good stuff.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe almost shrugged, but thought better of it. “It doesn’t matter; I don’t see my shoulder.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Don’t be in a hurry to collect battle scars; you live in Bramble Burn now. There’s plenty of time to build a collection.” He applied the glue and cleaned up his mess. “I work hard to keep the damsels out of distress. You give macho types like me the vapors.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe grinned. “I’ll keep smelling salts on hand.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe snorted and went back to making dinner. “Why Bramble Burn? With a talent like yours, you could live anywhere. Why the most dangerous place in the city?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“I’m not trying to prove anything, if that’s what you’re wondering.” She didn’t want him to think she was a nut. “I’m a quarter elf, and there’s some weirdness in my father’s line. My grandfather and I have a thing for plants; we need them like you need food. A garden’s not enough, and the farm wasn’t big enough. I need my own space, my own trees, and the Burn called to me.” She’d felt it for years, the need growing until it was a compulsion. Her mother never understood, didn’t want to understand, so she’d stopped trying to explain. “We need each other, the Burn and I.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe looked into space, imagining her dream. “You’ve seen what I can do. Imagine a park filled with trees like the oak. I can make things you’ve never dreamed of.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe didn’t say anything as he set two plates on the table, waving her to sit when she would have helped. He placed a pot of rice and a pan of green beans, sweet potatoes and ham in gravy between them. “The others are on call, so we might as well dig in.” He took a bite and said, “The guys said you were beefing up security on your tree.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Tomorrow,” she affirmed. “This is good.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe nodded. “I’d like to see what you’ve done. I’m curious about your tree; it’s not every day I meet a tree mage.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“I’m more of a farmer,” she demurred. “What’s it like being a werewolf?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe frowned. “That’s a bit off topic.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“And off limits?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“No, but you should learn subtly if you want to change the subject.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Okay, new subject. Let’s talk about you. If I let you into my tree, I’m inviting a member of the pack, which isn’t the same as inviting the nice F\u0026amp;R guy who let me stay the night. I don’t know what the pack would do with the information.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe blinked. “We already have a good idea. You’re not exactly subtle.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe shrugged. “I’m a private person. Territorial, even.” Maybe not as bad as her grandfather, who sometimes let trees eat trespassers, but strangers and crowds were difficult. Her mom forced her to attend all kinds of functions as a kid, thinking she’d outgrown it, but she never had. Parties were noisy, which hurt her ears, and there was too much stimuli. Also, people’s body language often didn’t match their words, and that made her leery. She didn’t know how to play with kids her age, and adults often talked about shallow, unimportant stuff.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a kid she couldn’t explain it; as an adult, she understood it was normal for a highly gifted, very intelligent person. Her brain was different, hungry, and that was fine. Despite her mother’s worries, she was perfectly normal for who she was.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat was another reason she needed Bramble Burn; a book and a sunny garden were hard to beat. That was the end goal, but having a challenge to keep her mind busy was priceless.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“I don’t think anyone’s going to fight you for the Burn, but fine. I like being a wolf.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWerewolves didn’t turn into wolves, although they could communicate with them. They became man-wolf hybrids with superior reflexes and strength. They couldn’t speak in the hybrid form, so they used sign language. They’d been on Earth long before the worlds merged, hiding among the human population. Since the world was already in chaos, it seemed like a good time to reveal their race.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe knew all that, and she didn’t have anything against them. She admitted she was irritable that the attraction she felt wouldn’t go anywhere. They could reproduce with elves but not humans, though they usually married within their species. Besides, inter-species dating could be complicated.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFool that she was, she knew all that and still baited him. “I don’t mind letting you run through the woods when I’m finished, but the tree is for me. Maybe a man, if I have one someday.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe raised his brows. “How very wolf-like of you.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe shook her head. “I told you, my line is odd. I’ve made peace with it.” She washed their dishes as he silently cleaned the kitchen. He was probably mad, which was for the best. She was very, very busy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe was deep in meditation the next day, working on her tree, when Grigori showed up. He’d caught a ride with a tow truck driver, guiding the nervous looking man to the closest junk car. The driver stayed put as Grigori hopped out to check the car.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJuniper sighed and disconnected. She was dreamy, in no state for company, but a deal was a deal. She joined the men, nodding to the skittish driver. “Hi. Checking for varmints?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Yeah. He won’t pay us until he’s sure there’s nothing alive in there.” Grigori picked up a rock, presumably to chuck it at the car.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe held up a hand. “I’ve got this.” Still deeply connected to the tree, she sent a pulse through the staff. Oak roots pushed from the soil, lifting the car and slowly rotating. They shook the car upside down, causing a clatter of old cans, trash and a family of ordinary mice to rain down. Satisfied, she put the car back down and looked at the slack jawed driver. “Money?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe guy shut his mouth and fished cash from his flannel shirt pocket.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Pleasure doing business with you,” she said, giving Grigori half. “I’ll see you tomorrow; I’m busy today.” She turned away.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Are you high?” Grigori called.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“What?” she asked irritably.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Your eyes are dilated,” he said smugly, no doubt enjoying throwing her comment back in her face.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe shook her head in disgust. “You interrupted my meditation, kid. Scram! I have a tree to remodel.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“You added on,” he commented, nodding to the aerial roots that formed a bump out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Twix needed a stable,” she said, offhand. She was itching to finish her project and in no mood to chat, so she hurried inside and sealed the door.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrigori and the driver hooked up the car, working fast. The driver didn’t want to linger, and he suddenly stiffened and stared. “What the…?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrigori blinked as tree roots snaked over an old army truck. The roots glowed green and the truck shrank, absorbed by the roots. Astonished, he watched the gray sheen of metal crawl up the trunk, slowly coating the bark.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe driver thumbed his dirty ball cap back and shook his head. “Kid, the money’s good, but this place is weirder than granny on crack. You’re going to have to find another driver from here on out.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrigori shook his head. “No guts, no glory.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“You’re nuts, kid.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIron climbed the tree until it sheathed it completely. Spectators (people as far as a mile away, some with binoculars) watched as a golden bulb sprouted on top. It slowly grew to the size of a house, developing stained glass panels supported by amber ribs. The garden themed art on the panels was translucent, but prevented anyone from seeing inside.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“What’s she thinking?” Grigori muttered. “Anything could break that glass.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs if in response, the curled sepals, or the pointy leaf things that sit under flowers to protect them before they bloom, uncurled, becoming iron shutters that covered the bulb. The iron dome looked like leaves of brushed steel. Water shot from the bulb’s top in a geyser and settled into a living fountain. It lasted a minute before drying up.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrigori shut his mouth. “Oh.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDozens of vines grew from the tree, dangling within easy picking distance, each with an acorn on the end. The acorns had a flattened base and ranged in size from mug to canister. The men took a wary step back, but one of the acorns followed Grigori and swayed invitingly. The words, “Open me,” appeared on the acorn.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe driver took a big step back. “It’s for you, kid.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrigori shot him a look, but reached for the nut. It easily detached from the vine, and he found the cap was a screw top. Instead of a nut, there was a buttery, semi-solid oil. On the inside of the cap, it read, “Acorn oil. Good for cooking, frying or fuel.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSince Grigori hadn’t exploded, the driver crowded in for closer look. “I’ll be danged.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn acorn swayed in front of the driver. Print appeared on it, too. “A gift. If you’re willing to return, I’ll give you more next time.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe driver accepted the acorn, but said, “Thanks. I’ll think about it.” He admired the acorn and admitted, “My girlfriend likes to collect canisters. She’ll go crazy over this one.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrigori waited until the guy left and said, “You doing okay? That was something, lady.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSilence. He waited a long moment and wove through the hanging acorns until he reached the steel-sheathed door. He banged the acorn knocker, a little worried. “Are you all right, Juniper? Answer me!”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA moment went by before the door silently opened, revealing the well-lit, airy interior. Tall, narrow stained glass windows lined the upper walls, and there was an arch leading to Twix’s stable. The floor was polished oak, and a platform bed sat in a corner. Burled wood shelves and a counter made up the otherwise bare kitchen, and the sink consisted of two sunken wooden basins with a wooden spout and knobs. A partition hid what he presumed was a bathroom, for he could see a rain-type shower fixture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJuniper slumped in the middle of the floor, her face ashen. Her staff lay next to her, a length of dull wood. Swearing, he hurried to help, supporting her when her knees tried to fold. He got her to the bed, absently noting the mattress was made of a canvas-like, buff colored fabric and filled with something oddly springy, like coconut fiber. “You overdid it, didn’t you?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Trail mix in my pack,” she whispered, and he hurried to grab it. She ate with an effort, gradually regaining color.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe handed her a canteen. “You look like crap.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe closed her eyes and lay on the naked mattress. “I miscalculated, ran out of juice. Was too much fun.” The desire to keep going made her ignore her body’s warning signals. Like a child, she played too hard and crashed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe couldn’t afford to crash in the Bramble.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe laughed without humor. “Great. Do you need a doctor?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Good question,” a dark voice said from the door. Grigori whirled, his machetes out to confront the man. “Who are you?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJuniper scowled. “Kjetil. What are doing here?” Once again the hot soldier had dropped in while she was at her worst. Would it kill him to wait until she was on her feet? She might not be interested in pursuing him, but she had a normal woman’s vanity. She didn’t want him to see her as weak.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe ignored the question and came closer. “Relax. I want to check her pulse.” He looked at Juniper with displeasure. “Before she tries to die on me again.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“I’m not dying,” she protested. Everyone was a drama queen. “I work hard, that’s all.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe guys exchanged glances, and Grigori sheathed his blades.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKjetil checked her wrist and looked at her eyes. “There’s probably a news team on the way. You’re headline news tonight…again.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe sighed. “I’ll lock the door.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe frowned. “You aren’t staying by yourself.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“I’m too tired to argue. What’s the point of making a fortress if I don’t use it?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“I hate to agree with him, but he’s right. Like I said, you look like crap,” Grigori said helpfully. “I should stay with you.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKjetil stared at him.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“I’m working for her,” Grigori said defensively.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKjetil looked at her, and she suddenly remembered telling him that the only one who would get inside her tree was “her man”. She scowled. “I’m employing him, but nobody needs to stay. Did you see what I did? I’m no lightweight.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Maybe when you’re healthy,” Kjetil said calmly. “Did you wonder why I’m here? I got called out to check on the “disturbance”. My superiors want to know what’s going on with this tree, and they aren’t the only ones who’ll wonder if you’re a threat. My team’s outside.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe groaned. “I have a headache. Can we talk about this tomorrow?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“The elves sent investigators, too. Should I tell my team let them in?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“What do you want?” she growled, recognizing blackmail when she heard it. She was tapped, but she had enough juice to eject him and seal the door if she had to. After all, he was trespassing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Sleep at the station tonight, and you can come back tomorrow.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“No.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“I can stay,” Grigori offered.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Let Mia stay,” Kjetil countered. “You know her. She won’t mind, and I’ll stop bothering you.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe flung an arm over her face. So much for privacy. “Fine! Whatever. But nobody else.” It was her property and apparently horticulture was frowned on. What next? Was the city going to charge her with building code violations? Her head pounded in protest when she tried to ponder the implications, so she gave up.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrigori waited until Kjetil left to make arrangements. “So, you want me to come back tomorrow?” He sounded miffed. He probably thought she should have let him stay, but really, how well did she know him?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOf course, she barely knew Mia, but she picked her battles. “Fine, but I don’t know what you’ll do yet.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe shrugged. “I can get another car, maybe.” His eyes narrowed in calculation. “Or maybe I can find a way to sell your acorn oil. How much do you want for it?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe sighed. Somebody save her from teenagers with work ethics. “Check the stores, see what cooking oil is going for.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe left, deep in thought; probably going over marketing strategies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Hello, Juniper! I hear we’re having a girl’s night. I hope you don’t mind, but I ordered takeout. It’s Korean, but we can get pizza if you prefer.” Mia shut the door, put her jump bag on the kitchen floor and her big gun on the counter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJuniper opened one eye. “Korean is fine. Are we heading into a gunfight?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMia grinned. “I’d rather have one and not need it, than need it and not have it. Nice digs. The guys are green that I get to see your tree and they don’t. There are reporters outside, by the way.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“I heard. Maybe the squirrels will eat them.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“We can only hope. Mind if I look around?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe couldn’t get into the greenhouse; the floor was sealed, and there were no valuable plants yet. Even if she did, she probably wouldn’t know saffron from safflower, and she wouldn’t see anything important on this floor. “Fine.” Juniper rolled over and drifted, not quite napping. She was too exhausted for sleep, but she still jumped when Mia announced dinner. Blurry, she sat up as Mia put a takeout container in her lap.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“They had bottled juice; I remembered you like apple, and you could use the electrolytes.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Thanks.” Juniper wolfed down the daikon salad and shredded potatoes, then tucked into the pot stickers and fried lotus root.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“If I’d known you liked the sides, I would have ordered more,” Mia commented. She ate a bite of bulgogi and chased it with kimchee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Sorry. I should have left you some,” Juniper said guiltily. “Thanks for getting it.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“No worries. I bought plenty, and I don’t see a fridge here.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“There isn’t one yet. I planned on getting a cooler.” She blinked. “I suppose I can make an old-school ice box and buy enchanted dry ice, too. I haven’t had time to think about cooking gear.” The elves said magic was another kind of science, but that hadn’t impressed most humans. Magic was a good word for things people didn’t understand. All most people knew was that elvish dry ice lasted weeks and kept steak cold.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnfortunately, meat and ice cost money. She’d have to be careful to budget what she had, and steak was out of the question.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“No wonder. You realize this is incredible, right? You even have running water.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJuniper shrugged. “Thanks. If I’d known it would invite hordes of gawkers, I might have done something smaller.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Really?” Mia looked skeptical.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJuniper grinned. “Okay, maybe not.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“I always thought it would be cool to live in a tree,” Mia mused. “Even the elves build houses. I’ve never heard of anyone who could do this.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJuniper went to the counter and dished some noodles, slurping them expertly with disposable wooden chopsticks. She didn’t have much silverware, so maybe she’d make some of these and save money. For that matter, she could shape spoons, too. “Yep. Now I just have to do it a hundred times or so.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“What! That’s crazy. This tree nearly killed you twice. Why would you try again?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe food was helping, but Juniper was still exhausted. “That’s how I’ll keep the Bramble from expanding. I’m going to pin it with trees. The roots should anchor the magic, keep it confined to the park.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Should?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJuniper shrugged. She wouldn’t know until she tried. “None of the other trees will be as elaborate, and they won’t all be houses. This one had to be strong.” She didn’t want to become monster chow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“It’s still dangerous. So much can go wrong, and there’s no guarantee you won’t push too far again. You need someone to watch you, or an alarm or something.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJuniper tilted her head thoughtfully. “I don’t think a person could tell when I was running low on juice, but there might be a monitor of some kind. Not that I could pay for it.” She didn’t have a trash can, so she gathered the empty cartons and took them to the wooden toilet. She tossed them in and told the tree to mulch them as it would any waste. Presto! It turned the paper into rich, odor free earth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMia followed her, carrying an empty drink carton. “That’s incredible! Can I try?” She tossed the paper in and grinned when it mulched. “I’ve never been impressed by a toilet before.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJuniper smirked and showed her a slot in the wall that produced a steady stream of soft, buff colored paper. “Then you’ll love the endless toilet paper. No more being trapped on the throne without a shred of dignity.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMia laughed. “That’s genius! Too bad you couldn’t market it.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePleased, Juniper returned to the bed and gestured for Mia to seat herself on the end, since she didn’t have chairs. “Like I said, the money will be in stuff like ginseng and truffles. Do you know what truffles cost? Luckily, I can manipulate fungi and accelerate plant growth. I just have to find a market.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMia sat Indian style and listened intently. “So you really are a farmer.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Pretty much.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMia looked around, admiring the living walls and one-way window “glass”. “I guess you can grow any food you like. That will help the grocery bill.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJuniper stifled a yawn. “Yeah, but I like bacon. Besides, grain needs to be cut, threshed and ground, and you have to bake the bread. I want to buy my bread, because I don’t have time to cook if I’m growing trees. I’m a businesswoman, not a pioneer.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“That makes sense. So it’s not ‘Bramble Burn, then world domination’?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJuniper snorted. “You can keep the city. I’m a perfectionist, and trying to manage a city full of people would drive me crazy.” She suspected her answers would go further than Mia, and that was fine. Everything she said was true.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe was replaying the conversation as she drifted off, so it was on her mind when she sat up with a jolt at the tree’s alarm. At first she thought the city council might be after her, and she pictured men in suits waving papers, and her system flooded with dread. After a moment she realized something was burrowing under the roots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe sagged in relief. Thank God, it was only a monster! Lawyers scared her.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMia must have been a light sleeper, for she woke when Juniper sat up. She sounded surprisingly coherent for the wee hours. “What is it?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Something’s under the tree. Just a minute.” Juniper focused on the roots and found a large grub burrowing toward the floor. With a thought, she instructed the tree to squish it, and any of its friends that might visit. She lay back. “We’re good. I took care of it.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSince the windows were shuttered, it was pitch black, so she couldn’t see Mia’s face, but she heard the rustle and presumed Mia settled down. Juniper was awake now, and she thought about what small thing she could work on to help her sleep, something that would make the tree safer. She tinkered a bit, and smiled as she drifted off. 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When Fern takes a job with a clan of ice giant bachelors, she brings more than elbow grease to the table—she just might save their home, their hearts, and possibly the chickens.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"center\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e The Convergence had changed their world. Years ago, Earth and the fabled elven world had melded, causing earthquakes, raising sunken islands and unleashing monsters. The catastrophic disaster disrupted every facet of transportation, agriculture and caused widespread death. When the shaken citizens of both worlds finally sorted things out, roads got fixed, farms and factories started to produce, and oil and natural gas once more fueled the nations. The world ran on a mix of magic and science, allowing dragons to rule the skies and satellites to dominate space.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"center\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThese days, resources were focused on infrastructure, communications, manufacture and monster control. Meat and animal products were especially rationed. It took a lot of manpower to protect herds of animals and helpless, delicious chickens from hungry monsters. WW2 memorabilia and rationing posters were back in circulation, as people were encouraged to “grow your own” and “have a monster garden”. Etsy sold framed posters of Rosie the Riveter, people were encouraged to “made do and mend”, and homemaking was a full-time job again.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"center\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhich is why Hakon and his brothers were struggling. Women were naturally superior at homemaking; at least Fern thought so. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"center\"\u003eFern’s apartment is wreaked by monsters and she’s fired the next day. With nowhere to go, she’s grateful to accept any job...even if it’s working for a family of ice giant bachelors. They’re nice enough, if dreadful slobs. Thankfully, it’s nothing a fire hose and elbow grease won’t clean.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"center\"\u003eA member of Fire \u0026amp; Rescue, Hakon doesn’t have time to breathe, much less clean. Not only is the new housekeeper a talented cook, she makes his house a home. She also comes with unexpected magical talents...\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"center\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eAmerican pie and monsters. Ice giant cattle ranchers and goblin bankers. 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Instead, a snapped throttle cable strands her and twelve-year-old frost giant Frode seventeen miles from home, in a blizzard, with wet boots, a dead phone, and a dampener bird that's shut off her magic. As the temperature drops and hungry monsters start circling the treeline, Ria learns what it means to be the one who needs rescuing — and that sometimes surviving the night just means trusting the right person to handle it. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eA quick, cozy-tense trip back to the Aze family's world between full-length Convergence books. \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eContains no graphic scenes. 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