The last of the trio scrambled to his feet, fading back into the storm at the threat of a fair fight.After making sure that the muggers would stay out... for a while, Pete bent to examine their victim, who was struggling to a sitting position."Easy, there. Let me help you." He lifted her to her feet. "Are you all right?" I think so." She looked at him doubtfully. The distant street lights drew out pale highlights from her golden hair, and her eyes were a deep, clear blue against the light tan of. ” I laughed at his nerve, but I found myself deeply wanting to follow his instructions. I had always been attracted to forceful, direct men who commanded respect. Matt definitely knew what buttons to press (literally and figuratively) to get my attention. But there was no way I was going to wear a vibrator on my way home. I shook my head and drove off campus. A block later, my messenger lit up again. “Pull over when you reach the convenience store at Fifth and Walnut. Go in the bathroom. Insert. We let the fools go and sheathed our weapons. Lillian walked over to my right side and we entered the palace.A snooty man in frilly clothing demanded to know why we were there and when he learned who we were, he sputtered and ran off. A few minutes later he ushered us into a throne room and my opinion of the Dran lessened even more. There was not supposed to be a throne room, as there were no kings or kingdoms. It appeared that this Dran did not care and was taking measures to become a king in. She knew she would always have memories of Frank, a few good, mostly bad. But that was as it should be. To forget the hurt and the pain, that was the way it was supposed to be too.She glanced across the tent to her unfinished packing chore. Sooner or later, she would have to rise and complete the task and start back home.Home? She shook her head. There was no home waiting for her now. If she knew Frank, she would find all her things waiting for her on the front porch, as would Phil and Karen..