Exton

Raina quietly backs out of the room and reaches for her cell phone. She had seen Rowan with Traeger earlier and hopes she isnt interrupting anything. She texts and asks her to come right away, its an emergency.

Rowan arrives within a few minutes, “Whats wrong? Whats happened to Star?”

Leading Rowan behind the bar, Raina leans against the wall and tells Rowan what she accidentally overheard. “I wasnt trying to spy on them. Nick said Erik told him to find me, I just stepped in the door and couldnt help but hear her. What reason could they possibly have for doing this to her? It makes no sense. And the comment about her father. She doesnt even know who he is...”

Rubbing her forehead and trying not to cry herself Rowan says, “I dont know. Goddess, I knew it was bad, but she would never tell me. And what happened to her mother.....” her voice trails off and the women are silent for a few minutes. “Can you ask Monty for a glass of something she will drink? She likes raspberry wine. Maybe the best thing for her now is to sleep. She must be exhausted, but I dont think taking her home and leaving her alone right now is a good idea, and thats what she will want to do.”

Raina nods and returns shortly with two glasses. She hands the one for Star to Rowan and watches as she sprinkles a small amount of greenish powder in it. Then she holds her hand over murmuring a spell. “Just to keep away the nightmares.”and she hands the glass back to Raina... ”Ill wait here. If she sees me she will want me to take her home.”

Raina nods and knocking lightly on the door enters with the two glasses of wine.

“Hi, I thought you guys might want something to drink.” She hands Erik one of the glasses and kneels next to Star with the other. “Look, I brought you some of that wine you like....”

Star slowly raises her head and looks at Raina, and Raina remembers too late that Star is an empath and is going to pick up on her feelings.

Star reaches out and softly touches Rainas cheek her eyes the color of apricots and full of hurt and confusion, “Tears? Why?”

Swallowing hard Raina tells her “Because I... I mean we... care about you.”

Turning to Erik Star gently reaches out and touches his cheek. “You too?”