only ask out of concern for an old friend. Did you not embrace the change?”
Illistar shook his head, gesturing to the space around them. “Someone’s got to look after them,” he explained, referring to his patrons. “Besides, you know I’ve never been one for the shift.”
He was lying of course. He craved it—looked forward to it. Illistar had always shifted at the same time she did. The bar was owned by two of the xaran, each one watching it one month at a time. Last month would’ve been Skyler’s turn to look after it, but, if he had, she couldn’t understand why Illistar hadn’t joined her along with the others.
“How did you do it?” Tara asked, placing her elbows on the edge of the counter.
“Keep from changing?”
Tara nodded gently.
“By keeping my distance from the other xaran.” Illistar ran a hand through his salt and pepper hair, his blue eyes reflecting the bar’s dim lighting. “I had to close the bar for a day or two.”
Tara nodded. She knew their ability to shift and jump planes depended solely on their sexual desires. By removing temptation, Illistar must have been able to keep from shifting.
“You look well for missing a month,” Tara said.
More than well, in fact. Tara crossed her legs, ignoring the fact that she and Illistar had shared a few moments of their own during the cycle before last. He was older than most of the other xaran. Tara breathed in his earthy scent, her eyes feeding on his well-formed biceps—the same ones he’d used to claim her as his bonded mate.
Only on the other plane. The relationship she and Illistar shared within the shadowed realm was out of necessity. A bonded pair was stronger than those without a mate. Healthier. It was rare to see an adult xaran without a mate, but that didn’t mean they loved one another.
“It takes time to look this good, I assure you,” Illistar purred, breaking Tara from her thoughts. “So, what will it be?”
“You know what I like,” Tara said, placing her hand under her chin. “I’m mostly in here to get warm.”
Illistar nodded, his eyes moving from her frame to someone standing behind her. “May I help you?”
Tara turned her head away from the man brushing against her right side. He ordered his drinks and left.
“You sure you don’t want to get out of those clothes of yours?” Illistar teased, handing her a small soda.
“That depends.” Tara smiled at him. “Would you join me?”
“Mmm, your scent is rather appetising this evening.”
Tara’s body tensed, her brown eyes falling to her lap. Her body pulsed under his gaze—his attraction. Illistar knew as well as she did that the xaran were sexually driven during the new moon. And he’d likely take advantage of the fact if she let him. It would take time for her body to cool down.
“You shouldn’t be here,” Illistar warned, his voice firm. “Not with the new moon still upon us.”
“The humans don’t know.”
“No, but I do. It’s risky, Tara. And the xaran in this room don’t need to smell your sexual urges to come on to you. Any lass that comes through that door is fair game to them.”
“And you know as well as I do that the new moon makes one feral. Let them try, Illistar. I guarantee anyone that does will feel it in the morning.”
Illistar nodded at that and went to turn away. “Enjoy your drink.”
He gave Tara a final, warning glance. Finish your drink, gather your clothes and leave. Tara knew her closeness bothered him. Even though this was his month to remain on the plane with the humans, that didn’t mean the new moon wouldn’t affect him. After not seeing Illistar at the last Awakening, she was certain he wouldn’t be able to resist his urges this time around. It would be best for them both if she took care of herself and left before the night was through.
Tara eyed her drink, plucking a single red cherry from her Coke. She sucked on it before squeezing it against the roof of her mouth. She might not have