Unfortunately, Althea suspected that the woman’s emotions weren’t the ones in question.
“You know, that whole ‘I like her a lot—maybe even love her’ part strikes me as your main problem. I can’t help you with that, Larry. I can’t read you. Never could.”
“But you could read her, couldn’t you? If your mother could read people instead of animals, I’d ask her, but she can’t, and you’re the only empath I know. Won’t you at least try?”
“Can’t you tell from her scent?”
“You’d think that, wouldn’t you? Normally, I should be able to tell the difference between love and lust. But her scent is…confusing.”
As far as he’d traveled to find her, Althea really couldn’t say no. Not to Larry anyway. She blew out a resigned sigh. “Where is she?”
He winced. “Um, would you believe she’s on Rhylos?”
I should’ve known…
“Oh joy,” she said with a groan. “You know, this would’ve been a whole lot easier if you’d brought her along with you.”
Larry gaped at her with dismay. “I couldn’t very well tell her why I was bringing her here, could I?”
“Well, no,” she admitted. “Although I’m sure you could’ve come up with some sort of excuse.”
“I would have, except she’s really busy at the orphanage right now—did I tell you she works there with Onca and Kim? That’s how we met.”
“I see.”
She did, actually. After Onca, their friend and fellow Zetithian, retired from the sex trade and married Kim, they’d turned the old Zetithian Palace brothel into a shelter for homeless orphans. Needless to say, the needs of those children far outweighed her own.
“Okay,” she said. “I’ll do it.”
For more Cat Star Legacy,
check out book one in the series
Maverick
On sale now
Acknowledgments
My sincere thanks go out to:
My loving husband, Budley.
My awesome sons, Mike and Sam.
My talented critique partners, Sandy James, T. C. Winters, and Nan Reinhardt.
My keen-eyed beta reader, Mellanie Szereto.
My long-time editor, Deb Werksman.
My fellow IRWA members for their enthusiastic support and encouragement.
My insane cats, Kate and Allie.
My sweet barn cat, Kitty Cat.
My trusty horses, Kes and Jadzia.
My peachy little dog, Peaches, who dearly loves to come along whenever I mow the pasture.
But most of all, I’d like to thank my wonderful readers who kept asking, “When will you write another Cat Star book? We need to know what happens to the kids!”
About the Author
A native of Louisville, Kentucky, Cheryl Brooks is a former critical care nurse who resides in rural Indiana with her husband, two sons, two horses, three cats, and one dog. She is the author of the ten-book Cat Star Chronicles series, the Cowboy Heaven series (two books and one novella), the Soul Survivors trilogy, the four-book Unlikely Lovers series, and several stand-alone books and novellas. Mystic is the second book in her Cat Star Legacy series. Her other interests include cooking, gardening, singing, and guitar playing. Cheryl is a member of RWA and IRWA. You can visit her online at cherylbrooksonline.com or email her at [email protected].
Nightchaser
Star Wars meets Robin Hood in USA Today bestseller Amanda Bouchet’s genre-bending, sci-fi/fantasy romance!
Tess Bailey: the galaxy’s Most Wanted.
Captain Tess Bailey is in deep trouble. She and her crew are on the run, pursued by a tyrant who’ll take them dead or alive. Tess’s best hope is a tall, dark, and much-too-appealing stranger, Shade Ganavan…
Shade Ganavan: arrogance, charm…and that special something that makes you want to kick him.
What Tess and Shade don’t know about each other might get them killed…unless they can learn to trust each other before it’s too late.
“Amanda Bouchet blasts off with a series that’s full of heart, humor, romance, and action.”
—Jennifer Estep, New York Times bestseller
For more Amanda Bouchet, visit:
amandabouchet.com
The Kingmaker Chronicles
Amanda Bouchet’s bestselling, award-winning fantasy trilogy
An NPR Best Book of 2016
An Amazon Best Book of 2016 and 2017
A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of 2016 and 2017
Catalia “Cat” Fisa lives disguised as a soothsayer in a traveling circus. She is perfectly content avoiding the danger and destiny the Gods—and her homicidal mother—have saddled her with. That is, until Griffin, an ambitious warlord from the magic-deprived south, fixes her with his steely gaze and upsets her illusion of safety forever.
“A heart-pounding and joyous romantic adventure.”
—NALINI SINGH, New York Times bestseller
“Simply brilliant.”
—Kirkus Reviews starred review
“Utterly breathtaking!”
—DARYNDA JONES, New York Times bestseller
“Give this to your Game of Thrones fans.”
—Booklist starred review
For more Amanda Bouchet, visit:
amandabouchet.com
Also by Cheryl Brooks
Cat Star Legacy
Maverick
The Cat Star Chronicles
Slave
Warrior
Rogue
Outcast
Fugitive
Hero
Virgin
Stud
Wildcat
Rebel
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Mystic Page 32