Kat was surprised. “Thanks.”

“Move and I’ll bring it in.”

“I’m Kat, by the way.” She stepped aside and waved her arm. “Come on in.”

“I’m Sunshine.”

The tall feline New Species was pretty. “I love your hair.”

The woman turned and flashed a smile. “Thanks. It’s natural.”

That surprised Kat. The woman’s tresses had to be at least six different colors. She didn’t mention that it reminded her of her neighbor’s pet or that she could guess what breed of cat they’d gotten her DNA from. She’d never look at Calicos the same way again.

“I know the layout. Most of these cottages have the same floor plan.” Sunshine walked into the kitchen and placed the tray on the counter. “Are you okay? I figured Darkness must have done something really bad to ask me to deliver food. He’s frightening.”

“I’m great. There was just a little mix-up at the gate.”

The woman arched her eyebrows. “We were attacked and you made the bad guys go kaboom!” She grinned. “Everyone is talking about it.”

Kat had to admit she hadn’t thought about much else since she’d been shown to the cottage. Men had died. They had planned to do harm but that didn’t mean she wasn’t going to have some issues to deal with. The report she’d have to write when she returned to her office would be a nightmare. She would also want to look up their backgrounds. It would probably help ease some of her distress about the incident when she checked their priors.

“Great.” She hoped her sarcasm didn’t come across.

“We got lucky. None of ours died, although my friend Breeze was trapped under part of the ceiling. It collapsed on top of her.”

“Is she okay?”

“Yes. Breeze is tough. The roof actually fell on top of the desks but she’d hit the floor first so it didn’t crush her. She just needed a shower once she got home. The males took over the only working showers so all the females on duty came to the dorm to get cleaned up. She was just angry that it happened.”

“It shouldn’t have.”

“The main gates are closed. They are going to have crews come in tonight to work on them but it’s going to take at least two days.”

“That’s fast.”

“Money talks, bullshit walks.” Sunshine beamed. “Is that the right saying? We pay out a lot of money by having contractors working around the clock when we need something done fast.”

“You nailed it.” Kat wanted to change the subject. “Do you know anything about the classes I’m supposed to start teaching tomorrow?”

“Of course. I’m signed up.”

“Where are they going to be held? No one said.”

“The bar. It’s big enough to house everyone who wants to come.”

That surprised her. “I’m holding class in a bar?”

Sunshine opened cupboards and removed a plate. “It’s not like the ones in your movies. We dance there and they mostly serve caffeine. That’s an amazing thing.”

“Dancing?”

“Caffeine.”

Kit grinned. “I’m partial to it myself.”

“Most of us don’t drink alcohol. It tastes horrible and with our metabolisms it’s tough to get and stay drunk.” She curled her lip and revealed her fangs. “I don’t see the draw in it. Alcohol makes you lightheaded and stupid. Where is the fun in that?”

“I’m not sure. I’m not much of a drinker myself.”

“Good. A lot of us signed up for your class. We rarely have human guests who hold classes. Everyone is excited but I should warn you that some of the males will be there because you’re female.”

Kat opened the fridge. “Do you want a soda?”

“No thank you. Do you want me to leave?”

“Stay. I enjoy the company. Why are guys coming just because I’m a woman?”

“Some of them are looking for mates. Justice strongly discourages them from talking to the protestors or the mate hunters at the gates.”

“Mate hunters? What are those?”

Sunshine took a seat at the counter. “Females who show up looking for one of our males to mate them. Most of them are a bit…what is that saying? One nut shy of a full bag of peanuts?”

Kit laughed. She opened the lid on the tray and stared at the biggest steak she’d ever seen. It had to be over twenty ounces. “Wow.”

“You don’t like meat?”

“It’s enough for two. I can’t possibly eat all that.”

“Good! I’m hungry.” Sunshine slid out of her seat and took out another plate. “That is if you don’t mind.”

“Nope.”

Sunshine found silverware, cut the steak in half and passed one of the plates to her. “Here you go.”

Kat sat at the counter and opened her soda. “Thanks. So tell me more about these mate hunters. I’m curious.”

“They flash their br**sts at us. I walk the wall by the gates and they can’t tell which of us are male or female. I’m tired of seeing boobs.”

It was funny. “I bet.”

“As if a little breast flashing would be enough to drive our males into a sexual frenzy. Maybe if they tried that at the Wild Zone. Some of our males there would go for it. Those humans would be so sorry if they lured one of those males into taking them home.”