Starwalker (Starborn 1) (Sci-Fi Fantasy Romance) Read Online Free PDF

toward Ula’s, she didn’t have to pause for anyone to pass or worry that she might bump into them or step around them or even divert from her direct path from point A to point B. No, the crowd parted for her. Of their own will. And wise of them to do so.
    It was almost enough to make her smile.
    Almost.
    She liked that they were scared of her. People didn’t mess with someone they were scared of. A lesson she’d learned as a childmaiden. One of many lessons learned far too young.
    Or maybe “scared” was the wrong description. Perhaps “dislike” was more proper. Hated? Loathed? Scorned?
    Whatever. It mattered not. What mattered was that no one bothered her. Ever.
    The single downside to that, of course, was that Cannalise lived a lonely existence. There was only Rowene.
    And she was so glad she hadn’t killed Row that day when she was learning how to shoot the arrows. She simply hadn’t known a guardian had been sent to her as described in her parent’s last will.
    Row was and had been everything to Canna. Mother, father, sister, brother, caretaker, counselor, disciplinarian, teacher… friend.
    Friend.
    The only one Canna had ever had. Of course there was Ula, but you could hardly call her a friend to anyone. And then there was Emmalyn, but Canna had never been comfortable around her—she simply wasn’t accustomed to that much… sweetness. Though she would kill anyone who threatened the maiden. Because Emmalyn was good. The type who would never hurt a soul, always had a nice word, a friendly smile. And only such friendliness in return would be fitting.
    End. Of. Story.
    Canna yanked open the door to Ula’s kafé and entered the building with purpose. The purpose being to scare the hellfire out of any drunken wrens.
    It only took the cold stare of her turquoise eyes to do the trick. The warning was clear: be good or be broken. Simple.
    A few wrens glanced her way and then quickly stared into their mugs as if the brew inside held the answer to the mysteries of the universe. The rest didn’t bother looking up.
    Good. The night should go well for Emma and Ula.
    She stalked past several empty tables toward the back where the kitchen was. Ula’s eyes darted to Canna but her hands stayed busy kneading the bread dough that would feed her customers this night.
    “Hello, Cannalise. How fare you this day?”
    Ula was always polite but her words were underscored with a weariness that bordered on harsh. She certainly was not gentle and sweet as her niece, Emmalyn. But Ula had been better to Cannalise than most people, feeding her as a youngster and basically just putting up with her.
    So yeah, Canna would kill anyone who threatened Ula as well.
    “I am well. You?” Canna’s voice was as cold as her stare and for a moment she wished she could sound warm and lovely like Emma did.
    “Can’t complain,” Ula answered as she pounded harder on the stiff dough.
    “Is there anything you need from me?”
    Ula sighed. Dusted her floured hands on her dark green apron. “No, Canna. We’re fine today.”
    Canna nodded. “I will return at nightfall then.”
    “No need.”
    Canna’s face was a blank mask unchanged from the second before, but inside her eyebrows were pinched in confusion. She always checked on Ula and Emma—first at noon and then at nightfall. Why would she not come?
    “I will return at nightfall,” she repeated.
    Ula walked to the farthest counter and retrieved a basket. Canna knew, packed inside, was a lunch of her homemade crackers and cheese.
    “Listen, Canna,” Ula’s tone was careful, almost… nice. “Me and Emma, we appreciate you watching out for us. We really do. But you have to stop. You are turning away my customers. Many of my regulars never come here anymore and, well, it’s because of you.”
    Still Canna’s face didn’t change, but inside… inside, she felt like crying. Which was just so unacceptable. Another lesson she’d learned as a child: crying solves nothing and makes your