The Cost of Betrayal

Chapter Forty-five

Evelyn looked around nervously. She didn't know where she was just that she had escaped her father's stupid arranged marriage. On her birthday to boot! When was he going to learn? She pushed the thoughts of her father back. She knew that he meant well but, she had more important things to worry about right now. The slight rumble in her stomach told her she needed to eat, and that was going to be hard to do here. She was sure she stuck out like a sore thumb, her hair and pale skin were vastly different than the people that now surrounded her. Not to mention her gown, she rushed away from her party with barely a bag of clothes. The temperature change was drastically different as well, she was used to cooler mountain weather and here it was dry and very warm. People were shopping in the large open-air market she had popped into. She searched the crowd for someone she felt she could trust.

"You must be new here," a gentle voice came from behind her.

Evelyn jumped and turned, "Yes, I am," she looked around nervously. "Is there a hotel nearby and maybe someplace to grab a bite to eat?" Her mind raced, why would someone approach her? Did her father already find her? She wanted to be the one to approach them. She lifted her finger to her mouth and bit at the fingernail. Her etiquette teachers would be flipping a table if they saw her doing this.

Maura smiled, her white teeth glinting in the sun. "I'll do you one better, you can stay with me and the restaurant I work at is hiring. Can you wait tables?" She could feel the nervousness oozing from this poor woman. Who was she running away from? And why? She shook her head, first get this woman to safety.

Evelyn bit her lip nervously the action exposing her sharp canines, "Uh, I think I could."

Maura had felt the difference in the young woman as soon as she saw her but the teeth were a dead giveaway, "Are you okay to be out here like this?" she asked, her voice low so as not to draw any more attention to the beautiful creature in front of her. She could see how they were so alluring. She leaned in and whispered, "I know what you are."

Evelyn's eyes widened, "How?" she asked worriedly.

Maura winked and looped her arm around Evelyn, she whispered, "Magic." She smiled warmly at the vampiress, of course even if she looked barely out of her teens, she could be hundreds of years old. Vampires were tricky like that. "First thing's first, my place to change you into something more comfortable. Then to the cafe, I work at for something to eat."

As they walked through the crowded market, Evelyn took notice of a painful wince that crossed her new friend's face. "Are you okay?" she asked.

Maura's expression looked tired, but she quickly shook it off. "I'll be okay." There was nothing anybody could do for her. He would never accept the rejection she had fired off at him. Especially after seeing him get all touchy-feely with whomever that other woman was.

They made their way to Maura's apartment where Evelyn changed into a pair of shorts and a t-shirt, her silver hair pulled into a tight ponytail.

She examined herself in the mirror, she walked out of the bedroom and turned around in front of Maura, "Better?"

Maura smiled and nodded, "Better." Maura stood and winced as the familiar pain seared through her again, making her pause and clutch her stomach.

Evelyn frowned in worry, "Are you sure you're going to be okay?"

Maura smiled weakly, "Nothing we can do," she shrugged. She was touched by Evelyn's kindness but had to brush it off. "Now, you're in hiding right?" Quickly changing the subject away from her and back to Evelyn.

Evelyn nodded, "Yes, from my family. Is there a potion or spell or anything that you can do to help me?" She almost hated doing it to her father, but she needed the space. She had to prove to herself that she was independent. That she could handle anything and she could do it alone. And she knew that Maura was a witch, she could smell it.

Maura smiled, "Of course, I can." She went to the kitchen and pulled together a potion to shield her friend from whoever she was hiding from and from any danger that could arise from her being there. "Now, let's go get something to eat."

Evelyn could tell that whatever was bothering Maura she didn't want to talk about, so she left it alone. For now. "So, where are we going?" Evelyn asked. She was taking in her surroundings and making mental notes of everything. She was surprised that for as hot as it was, how covered many of the people were. They walked down the crowded streets, past the place where Evelyn appeared.

"Oh, just over here," Maura pointed, her voice holding a tinge of relief as the cause of her pain finally eased. Why wouldn't he just accept it so he could move on? She didn't want this, and she surely wouldn't take his treatment of her. She knew her worth, and he wasn't it.

Evelyn read the sign out loud, "Oasis Nous?"

Maura nodded, and then looked at Evelyn, chuckling slightly as she realized that Evelyn didn't know where she was, "You don't know where you are, do you?"

Evelyn shook her head, a bemused smile spreading across her lips, "Nope. I was just escaping my father's plan and ended up here," she shrugged as she looked around.

Maura's smile broadened, "Then let me be the first to welcome you to Jade Oasis. There is a small community of genies that live here." She pointed her head towards the door, "Now, let's get you something to eat."

Evelyn smiled as they entered the building, the aromas of the restaurant filling her nose. She could make out the delicious aromas of cooking spices and herbs that mingled with the meats and baking naan bread. The women entered the waiting area of the restaurant and it wasn't long before a handsome man strutted over to the table.

"Hello, Maura," he greeted, practically undressing the brunette with his eyes.

"Hello John," she smiled.

He looked Evelyn up and down, she was beautiful. "How's my favorite woman?"

Maura chuckled, "John, you know I'm taken."

Evelyn stored that bit of information in the back of her mind since she didn't notice anything that indicated this fact at the apartment they just left.

Maura forced their attention back to Evelyn, "My friend here is staying with me for a bit, and she'll need a job." She drew John's attention to Evelyn, which wasn't hard, she was stunning.

John put his hand out, "Nice to meet you." The pause was evident, he was waiting to be introduced.

"Evelyn," she provided, reaching out to shake his hand. "Nice to meet you." She smiled broadly, she couldn't help but feel cautious around him. Something was making senses tingle with him.

"What can I get you guys to eat?" He looked from Maura to Evelyn, doing his best to pretend that he wasn't intrigued by the newcomer. He wanted to get to know her since Maura would never cheat, nor would he ask her to.

Maura thought for a minute, "Saniyet jaj, and Evelyn will have beef kebabs."

John nodded, "Awesome."

"Oh, hang on, she'll eat them as rare as possible." She wasn't surprised by John's reaction, he ate his meat so well done it could be considered cremated.

John was confused but placed the order asking for the kebabs to be rare. The cook joked, "What is she a vampire or something?"

While the women waited for their food, they got to know each other better. Each asking questions and setting boundaries.

Evelyn thought before her next question, "So, he hurt you pretty badly, didn't he?"

Maura swallowed, and looked down at the table, "I can't talk about it now."

Evelyn nodded in silent agreement, she'd leave it for now. She lifted the delicious beef kebab to her lips, the blood dripping from the bits of meat and onto the plate. Once she polished off the meat, she use a piece of the nan bread and sopped up the blood from the plate. She would need to find a blood bank if she was staying. And she wanted to.