Razi has been digging into the past of the Alliance for years, but now she has found the Oefric origin world she has a problem. The world is disintegrating at an alarming rate so if they are going to find the origin of this species, they have to work quickly. Ailan and Eckhar are her assigned assistants and despite their being unfamiliar with dig sites, they have one other trait that irritates her, they claim that she is their own. A fall and interference from a determined AI change her attitudes toward her new mates in a way she cannot deny.
This short stories is great for those who have been reading the series as it reveals the origin of one of the species. We also get a poly mating and a AI. Good stuff.
Here we have a Terran Times book that reveals the Oefric origin story. Our heroine is an archeologist of sorts. She is placed on a recently re-discovered planet and it is in the process of self-destructing. Her two Oefric assistants are not what they seem--they're her mates, at least that's what the Oefric have determined. The planet they're on has a surprise for them, more for her, and it pretty much compels the action and mating. What the AI does to her--!!! Ick.
Interesting story. The origin as revealed is even more interesting. Won't go there.
Firstly, I want to mention the Author's Notes at the end of each story. Most I've found have some explanation of or description of the story. Well worth the read. The shapeshifters are one of my favorites of her books. I don't care for the cranky heroines but I guess they all can't be even tempered like yours truly. :)
It was a good story. The characters were all well written I like how we get to see some of the characters from previous story like Gwen and her partner. Shifters a Terran that is set on finding answers as a historian of the Alliance add in some funny AI and your bound to get some good time. The Author's note at the end were fun to read as we get some info.