Eryx is part of a team of scientists charged with monitoring and protecting relocated animals on a privately owned planet. When sensors indicate poachers, Eryx leaves base to confront them, only to lose his way in a sudden snow. After trudging to a nearby observation station for shelter, he comes across an unexpected intruder.<br><br>Smuggler Leander flies an old, sometimes unreliable ship. When the engine starts to fail, he attempts to set down on the nearest planet where he’s stashed supplies, but his descent turns into a crash, and he’s forced to take shelter wherever he can.<br><br>The two can’t possibly trust each other, but storm projections show they’ll be stuck together for days. Worse, the poachers aren’t letting a little inclement weather stop them, and they’re armed and ready to kill. Can Leander and Eryx put aside their differences and save the animals -- and themselves -- before something disastrous happens?

Under Snow and Stars

The door shut behind them and they passed by a series of storage compartments in the rock before entering a kitchen area. It was tiny, and Eryx marched Leander through to the next section, which was open and multi-purpose.


The poacher stopped and let out a whistle. “This is nicer than my ship.”


“Then I’m sure you’ll enjoy your stay.” Eryx pulled the vet table away from the wall and into the middle of the room, then stepped back. “Get on it.”


“What?” Leander looked at Eryx, confusion and slight amusement on his face, like he couldn’t believe what he was being asked to do.


Their eyes met. Eryx was determined not to look away, to stare this man down. Leander had brown eyes, captivating in that they perfectly echoed his expression. He was Chinese, and his hair from the front looked nearly as messy as from the back. He wasn’t quite smiling.


“Get your ass on the exam table,” said Eryx.


“It’s metal. It looks cold as—”


Chapter 6