3013: STARFALL

  3013: The Series

  Laurie Roma

  The 3013 Series

  3013: MATED by Laurie Roma

  3013: RENEGADE by Susan Hayes

  3013: CLAIMED by Laurie Roma

  3013: STOWAWAY by Susan Hayes

  3013: SALVATION by Laurie Roma

  3013: MENDED by Kali Argent

  3013: TARGETED by Susan Hayes

  3013: CHAOS by Laurie Roma

  3013: ALTERED by Kali Argent

  3013: FATED by Susan Hayes

  3013: GENESIS by Laurie Roma

  3013: REVOLUTION by Kali Argent

  3013: PRIMAL by Laurie Roma

  3013: OUTLAW by Kali Argent

  3013: ALLEGIANCE by Laurie Roma

  3013: FEVER by Kali Argent

  Novellas

  3013: SYNERGY by Laurie Roma

  3013: ASYLUM by Kali Argent

  3013: SCARRED by Susan Hayes

  3013: EXODUS by Laurie Roma

  3013: BROKEN/3013: TRINITY by Kali Argent

  3013: KISMET by Laurie Roma

  3013: REMEDY by Kali Argent

  3013: SPELLBOUND by Kali Argent

  3013: UNITY by Laurie Roma

  3013: JUSTICE by Laurie Roma

  3013: STARFALL by Laurie Roma

  3013: STARFALL

  As the trusted manager of the sanctuary in Zion, Jais Starr carries a heavy load of responsibilities on his broad shoulders. Not that he minds it. Protecting Exodus is more than just a simple duty, and keeping his friends and family safe is an honor the Krytos doesn’t take lightly.

  When an unknown female falls into his arms with no memory of who she is or where she came from, something tells Jais that her story is far from simple. Her mere presence could be a threat to all he holds dear, but he is overwhelmed by a fierce need to protect her…no matter the cost. Can he keep his fallen star safe, or will their love fade before it can truly shine?

  3013: STARFALL

  Cover design by Black Butterfly Designs

  Copyright © 2023 by Laurie Roma

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission, except for the case of brief quotations in reviews and articles. Criminal copyright infringement is investigated by the FBI, and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

  All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental. It is fiction, so facts and events may not be accurate except to the current world the book takes place in.

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  3013: STARFALL

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Titles By Laurie Roma

  Dedication

  For everyone who asked for Jais’ story.

  Prologue

  The world had changed in the year 3013.

  Earth rebuilt their civilization after the Alien Wars ravaged the planet and an unknown virus nearly wiped out the entire population, but nothing could ever bring back what once was. A new age of mankind was born, but some of the edicts set forth for humans to survive have become obsolete in the ever-changing universe.

  What fate has in store is uncertain, though, one constant is clear. In a cosmos filled with endless possibilities, love is the ultimate prize. Warriors from every species search the stars for love, and they will risk all to fight for those who hold their hearts. But danger is always present when worlds collide. As new challenges arise, all the known races must adapt and learn from their allies. However, not all desire peace, or to live in harmony.

  And as a new year dawns, the battle for the future has only begun…

  Chapter One

  The night was filled with an abundance of stars and silence.

  As Jais Starr strolled down the dark path leading away from the side entrance of Exodus, he appreciated both. After a long night of being surrounded by endless noise inside the crowded bar, silence was exactly what he needed. The blessed quiet allowed him to clear his head, and he finally felt like he could hear his own thoughts.

  The glittering starlight illuminated his way across the paved courtyard and into the shadowy garden maze. The elaborate labyrinth was a recent addition to the sanctuary that guarded the way toward the residential buildings. Although it was a complex design, Jais could have made his way through the maze blindfolded.

  It would be a problem for anyone unfamiliar with the area, though.

  Since the maze had been created with magic, there was no chance of an intruder finding their way to the other side. Instead, they would be disoriented and restricted by countless dead ends until they were finally dumped right back where they’d started.

  That made it the perfect deterrent to keep outsiders away from restricted areas.

  Jais had to admit he had been a little freaked out the first time he’d witnessed the maze shift and trap someone inside of it. Honestly, it had looked like the greenery had simply devoured the person. Watching that had given him a few uneasy moments, and he’d been relieved when the poor soul had appeared back at the entrance, looking slightly terrified and confused.

  That was how it worked…most of the time.

  There were warnings posted, but for some, that wasn’t enough to stop them from trying to venture inside the maze. Some thought it was fun to try to trick the magic, while other drunk idiots just didn’t know any better. Thankfully, those with impaired senses were usually kicked out immediately. However, individuals who came to the sanctuary with nefarious intentions were given a very different ending.

  They simply disappeared.

  While it might have seemed quite heartless, Jais wasn’t too worried about what had happened to those who tried harming the residents at the sanctuary. Anyone who tried deserved to find out just how dangerous Dragon Warrior magic really was.

  Absently, he reached out and gently brushed his fingertips over a few of the leaves on the wall of the maze. It had taken him a while to get comfortable doing so, but now it was a habit. He considered it a greeting of sorts. Like a thanks for letting him pass unharmed and for not eating him alive or burying him in a shallow ditch somewhere.

  But that wasn’t the only reason he did it.

  Whenever he touched the leaves, it allowed the maze to sense his energy. Immediately, the shrubbery in front of him shifted, giving him a direct path to the exit. He appreciated the shortcut, though his steps remained unhurried as he continued down the dark pathway.

  When he finally stepped out of the protection of the maze, the cool night air swirled around him. Although it had been fairly warm out lately, the temperature had dropped considerably over the last few hours. He had forgotten to grab his jacket on his way out, so he was only dressed in a sleeveless black tunic, leather pants, and his favorite pair of scarred boots, but the chill in the air didn’t bother him.

  Well over seven feet tall, Jais was a solid wall of unyielding strength and muscle. His blood usually ran pretty hot, and after being stuck inside the packed venue all night, and the cool breeze felt good against his heated skin.

  Since it was just before dawn, most of the residents that weren’t on the night shift were safely tucked away in their quarters. There were a few lights visible in some of the windows in the high-rises, but most of them were dark or dimmed by privacy screens.

  As Jais glanced up at his own suite of rooms, he felt a lowkey urge to head straight up to bed. Not that it would do him much good. He had been going through a rough patch of insomnia that kept him awake even if he was dead tired. He’d always had trouble sleeping, but lately, it had been getting worse. It took forever to quiet his mind down, and sometimes, it took days for him to finally succumb to the fatigue.

  Once he actually managed to fall asleep, it took considerable effort to wake his ass up again. It was bad enough that he’d had to install extra soundproofing to his quarters to ensure his personal alarm didn’t wake up everyone on his floor. He was pretty much dead to the world unless he blasted music into his ears, or the magic-laced emergency alarm signaled.

  Giving up on the thought of sleep, Jais pulled a thin metal case out of his pocket, then slid one of the cigars out of the dual holder. He lit the cigar, puffing on it until the tip turned a bright, cherry red. While medical advancements had minimized most of the damaging effects of smoking, it was still considered an otherwise bad habit.

  These days, most people favored synthetic blends, but Jais only smoked the real deal. Since it was a rare indulgence, he didn’t mind spending the small fortune in credits it took to procure the genuine tobacco he preferred.

  Blowing out a thick cloud of smoke, he started walking again, making his way toward the outer rim of the property. Since there was a powerful combination of magic and technology protecting the entire sanctuary, there was no longer a need to physically guard it. Still, a few of the residents liked to patrol the grounds before they retired for the night. Jais was one of those few, although he admitted to occasionally using it as an excuse to skip out on some of the end-of-night cleaning as well.

  As he continued down the da
rk pathway, Jais thought about how much had changed since Exodus had first been established in Zion. He had grown up with Rogan and Lucian Adaro, the owners of the sanctuary, on New Vega. It had been the only Krytos-owned space station in the known universe at the time. That had meant something special to them, especially since their home world had been destroyed.

  Their families had always been close, and they had formed a strong pack together. While their upbringing hadn’t been the same as it would have been if they’d been born on land, they had striven to keep their customs and heritage alive. Jais, Rogan, and Lucian had developed into young warriors under the watchful eyes of their parents and the rest of their pack, but they had always rebelled against completely conforming to tradition.

  When tragedy had struck, and Jais had lost his entire family in the same battle that had claimed the lives of the Adaro brothers’ parents, everything had changed. Jais had been lost, like a ship drifting in the endless void of space. No matter how much he’d tried to snap himself out of it, he’d been utterly consumed by his sorrow.

  Trying to ease their shared grief, his friends had suggested they leave New Vega and build a new life for themselves somewhere on planet. It was then that he’d finally found a new purpose. He had failed to protect his family, but he could dedicate his life to guarding those who came to the new sanctuary.

  And so, Exodus had been created.

  After careful consideration, they had chosen to settle in Zion, the most unique city on Earth. Zion had survived the years of war and turmoil practically unscathed, making it an interesting blend of the past and the future. That combination was appealing, and even as the city changed, it was a principle that was still upheld.

  When Rogan and Lucian had initially acquired the property for the sanctuary, they had only been granted permission to purchase the old art museum as long as they had promised to preserve the historical value. The building had been a landmark, and the exterior structure had been an architectural treasure.

  While the foundation of the structure had been in decent condition, the interior had required a complete renovation. It had been stripped of its valuables long ago and used as a shelter during the war, so they’d basically had a blank canvas anyway. It had taken a shit-ton of hard work and perseverance, but they had managed to make the sanctuary something to be proud of.

  As Exodus had expanded over the years, they had built new structures on the vacant lots adjacent to the museum and had refurbished other old buildings in the surrounding area. Over time, the sanctuary had become a vast compound spread out over several full blocks right along the coastline.

  While the Alliance was still officially in charge of Zion, Rogan, Lucian, and their Dragon Warrior mate, Jade Vyper, were the real power center of the city. They helped ensure all of the races continued to live together in harmony and were treated as equals. Everyone felt safer and more secure with them in control, and that was why Exodus was so popular as a general hangout and a safe haven for those in need.

  Over the last several weeks, Exodus had been operating on extended hours, opening early and closing late to accommodate a massive influx of patrons. Everyone in the city had been celebrating the creation of the cure for the virus that had been left behind in the aftermath of the war with the Zyphir. After years of trying and failing to procure a treatment for the infertility that had plagued a large portion of the population, the new owner of Hart Pharmaceuticals and his Xenon mate had finally made a breakthrough.

  Now, a new era was beginning.

  The creation of a cure was a big fucking deal, not just for humans but for all the races. It was only right to commemorate the achievement, but no one had expected the celebration to last this long. Most of the staff at Exodus had assumed the festive mood that had taken over Zion would calm down soon after the cure had started being administered.

  But to everyone’s surprise, that hadn’t been the case.

  It had been several weeks now, and the party atmosphere was still going strong.

  After some urging, Rogan, Lucian, and Jade had left a few weeks ago on a long overdue vacation. If the Adaro brothers had kept postponing their first official meeting with Jade’s mother and fathers, her family definitely wouldn’t be pleased. Neither would Jade, for that matter. She had been looking forward to visiting her parents and introducing her mates to them. Since Rogan and Lucian would do anything to please their mate, they had packed up their pet argos and left on their voyage.

  In their absence, Jais had been tasked with managing the sanctuary. As the manager of Exodus, he was used to keeping things running smoothly at the bar. But he’d never realized just how difficult it was to keep the entire sanctuary running. Rogan and Lucian had always made it look so damn easy when it really wasn’t. And now that they were mated to Jade, the three Dragon Warriors could fix any issues in the blink of an eye.

  Magic really did make everything easier.

  With them temporarily gone, there were so many things that required attention on top of regular work duties. Even though the entire staff was pitching in to help, there was always too much to do and too little time to do it. Jais had promoted a few new managers to handle different areas, and they were handling their new responsibilities with skill and enthusiasm.

  However, the sanctuary as a whole was still understaffed.

  Business was great, but everyone was tired and overworked, and the strain was definitely starting to take its toll. They certainly weren’t hurting for credits, so there really wasn’t a reason to work so damn hard besides their own perverse masochistic tendencies. They had already made the decision to cut the extended hours and switch back to their normal schedule, but that wasn’t enough.

  They all needed a damn break.

  Now, he just had to figure out how to give it to them.

  Chapter Two

  Jais’ steps slowed as he sensed someone disturbing his solitude. The footsteps on the pavement barely made a sound, but the muttered curses destroyed any hope of a stealthy approach and instantly gave the identity of the intruder away.

  Trip Rage was a Helios shifter and one of Jais’ closest friends. As Trip stepped out of the shadows, Jais barely held back a laugh. Trip’s mate, Emma, had recently been trying to get him to wear more color, and the puffy bright pink coat he wore showed that she had succeeded.

  The two males were opposites in a lot of ways. Where Jais had dark features with inky black hair and eyes, Trip’s hair was a mix of brown, gold, and red, and his eyes were the striking amber like most of his race. Jais had seven or eight inches of height and a good sixty pounds over his friend, but Trip was just as well-defined. He was simply more compact and leanly built.

  While Jais was pretty easygoing and friendly most of the time, Trip was a mixture of rage and bullshit on his best days. He was sweet and considerate toward his mate, but everyone else was still fair game as a target for his sharp tongue and asshole attitude.

  “I like the new coat.”

  “Bite me. I can’t help that my mate loves me and worries about me getting cold. Speaking of…” Trip tossed a black leather jacket at Jais as he fell into step beside him. “You forgot this inside.”

  “Thanks. See, I don’t need a mate when I have you.”

  “Again, bite me.”

  Glancing back in the direction his friend had just come from, Jais clenched the cigar between his teeth as he shrugged the jacket on. “Don’t tell me you actually went through the maze. I thought you hated going in there.”

  “I don’t hate it…exactly. I’m just not a fan.”

  “Sure,” Jais stressed out the word mockingly.

  Trip was totally freaked out by the magical maze, not that Jais could really blame him. It was slightly unnerving. Still, he thought Trip’s fear was pretty freaking hilarious considering the Helios shifter had been born in the middle of a jungle.

  “I thought Helios were supposed to be one with nature or some shit.”

  “That fucking maze eats people. The other day, I saw some of those damn vines dragging someone into the ground. Into. The. Ground,” Trip repeated with an expression of pure revulsion. “Just…poof. The damn dude was gone. Buried alive, just like that.”