A Warrior for Her

1 FATES MY CURVY ASS Emma’s eyes widen painfully. “Libby! Your girlfriend – she’s – she’s a vampire!” Jo hisses. “Chérie. Has your best friend bothered to tell you she is a fae?” My girlfriend spits the word like it leaves a bad taste in her mouth. What? A what? My head bounces back and forth between them like I’m following a champion ping pong match. She’s a…and she knows…how did…what? Confusion swirls around as I try to make sense of what’s happening. Jo had barely walked into the restaurant when Emma turned to greet her, all of us smiling expectantly at this first meeting. And then out of nowhere, Jo goes all full-on vampire: red eyes, sunken cheeks, and glistening points resting on her bottom lip. And Emma! My gorgeous, girlie, joyful best friend dropped into some kind of serious fighting pose, like she knows what she’s doing. And now she’s glaring at Jo with such contempt! So instead of my best friend and girlfriend having the long-awaited introduction I’ve been looking forward to, it’s…this? No. Jo has to have it wrong. My best friend since middle school isn’t a fae. I mean, I’d know, right? Not that I have any idea what a fae even is. Is it the same as a fairy? I mean, I’ve read the fairy tales, and watched the movies. Of course, that doesn’t mean I believed any of it. On second thought, I could almost believe Emma was a fairy godmother – Disney-style. That tinkling laugh and all that glorious blond hair? But Jo is acting like being a fae is a bad thing! Like, Grimm brothers bad. Gods! I so don’t want those gruesome stories to be real. And come on, Emma already knows about vampire? Heck, I’ve only known about vampire for a couple of weeks, and I’m dating one! I mentally roll my eyes at myself. Duh! If Emma’s some kind of fairy, she’s not exactly human herself, is she? But no. This is crazy! There must be some mistake. Unfortunately, neither of them is backing off. No denials come from Emma’s lips. Rather, my friend looks scared. Like, really scared. And Jo just looks scary. And pissed off. Emma’s eyes dart everywhere at once. She pats the air as if trying to shush Jo. “Shh! Ohmygod! Don’t say it! For heaven’s sake. Just. Just don’t say…that word again. Okay? Please.” Jo barks a laugh but then her glittering eyes narrow. “What are you so afraid of? What are you up to?” What? No! Emma, tell Jo she’s got it all wrong! But they just keep glaring at one another. Gah! To think I wasted all that time and energy worrying about how to explain away the injuries I sustained the second time Jo’s vampire father kidnapped me. Leave it to me to obsess over something that never even happens. In my defense, despite the healing a little vampire blood gave me, I’m covered in long scabs from a wickedly sharp knife he wielded, and makeup could do just so much with the black eyes and bruising remaining from his lightning-fast punch. For a terrible second I’m back there in the putrid cell of the militia compound. Oh, now is so not a good time for this. I pinch the flesh between my thumb and index finger, hard. The pain succeeds in grounding me, and my vision clears. I shoot a worried look at Jo—she’s been really upset by how much the trauma has affected me. But Jo doesn’t even react to my near panic attack. That’s not good. That really isn’t good. Jo, please don’t hurt Emma. Please. Worried about witnesses to this scene, I glance around the walled-off lobby. Thankfully it’s the kind of swanky restaurant that doesn’t want people who are waiting for a table gawking at seated guests. Not even a hostess stands at the station. I can’t remember. Was she there when Jo walked in? Did she see Jo’s red eyes and fangs? Gods. I have been so excited for our double date. Finally, my sister of the heart and the woman I love would meet. And I could see if the man Emma is dating deserves her. At the moment, I’m just glad he’s still in the bathroom and not here to see this. Emma looks for all the world like she’s spoiling for a fight. I had no idea my friend even knew how to throw a punch. Jo? Well, there’s no denying the predator is in control. Unfortunately, it’s not the first time I’ve seen her this way, though in truth, I’ve only seen her like this once before. The day she showed me the truth, and then it was only a flash to make me believe. Now? Her deadly focus is trained on Emma. Jo, please. I think as loudly as I can, hoping she will listen to me. Please don’t hurt Emma! Please! My stomach churns with fear, and the beginning of a headache stabs behind my eyes. Emma grits her teeth. “Stop it. You stay out of my head.” Jo snarls. “Then tell me what you are so afraid of.” “Not on your life, blood sucker. Though it would serve you right if—” I nearly jump out of my skin when I hear an excited voice behind me. “Well, hey there, you must be Jo. Hi! I’m David.” Spinning, I fearfully watch his approach and wonder how long he’s been privy to this little scene. I’m relieved to see the innocently expectant smile on his face, as he extends a hand to Jo. Oh, no. Her fangs! But I needn’t have worried. His arrival galvanizes the pair to break their standoff. By the time I turn back around, Jo, looking human once again, glides to my side. However, she pulls me to her so hard I stumble, bracing myself with a hand on her hard abs, my cane knocking against her shin. I almost feel sorry for her, but she kind of asked for it. Even if her sharply possessive behavior makes sense. I just wish I understood. Jo’s acting like Emma poses some kind of danger, but I know her. I think? Gah! Do fae and vampire really hate each other this much? They shake hands and Emma shoots David one of her dazzling smiles. He drapes his arm across her shoulders, and then she turns her attention to me. I easily read my friend’s concern, her fear. She must see my shock – we know each other so well. At least I thought we did. I can’t know what else Emma sees on my face; I really don’t know what I feel. My head is reeling. It’s excruciating to have to act normal now. Jo presses a kiss onto my hair, and I draw in a deep breath of her unique evergreen scent. It helps to calm me. Knowing David is watching us all, I steel my face into as neutral an expression as I can manage. “David, you know how it is—no one is good enough for my best friend, and, well, we were kind of sizing each other up, you know?” Emma’s laugh sounds forced, and her eyes plead with me to go along with her charade. What choice do I have? I’ll play along. After all, I have a few secrets of my own. I plaster a smile on my face. “I must say, I find it fascinating to finally meet Libby’s best friend.” Jo’s voice doesn’t betray her feelings, though judging by the tight grip around my shoulders, I know it must take colossal effort for her to sound so calm. “I have heard much about you, Emma. Obviously, there is more to you than even your very best friend in the whole world could tell me.” I feel a surge of gratitude for Jo coming to my defense. Whether it’s warranted or not remains to be seen. Her arm tightens around me, telling me she senses it. And probably my confusion, too. David beams at Emma. “Yeah, she’s great, isn’t she?” His arm still around her, David looks to me. “Emma tells me you two met about the same time we did. Isn’t that something?” On some level, I can certainly appreciate his attempt to lighten the mood. With effort I force my emotions aside to deal with later. “I think you’re right, David. So, I met Jo at a bar, of all places. And the two of you met in a grocery store? Is that right?” My temple throbs with the effort to sustain a semblance of normalcy, when all I want to do is start jumping up and down demanding answers. “Sure did! I don’t know what came over me. I’ve never done anything like it before, but when I saw her at the other end of the aisle, it was just as if lightning struck.” The look he gives Emma is filled with adoration and she finally meets his eyes, her face softening into a smile. Shoot. Is he only interested in her looks? I’d hoped he was different. She’s had such awful luck dating. Disappointment for Emma wars with my other emotions in a confusing mix. I stare at Emma, trying to see hints of what I’ve apparently missed all these years, but all I see is my best friend. Feeling surreal, my mouth moves on its own. “That’s nice.” Jo’s voice softens slightly. “I know what you mean, David. I noticed Libby from the other side of the nightclub. I was wondering how to meet her when the fates intervened.” Despite the tension, I have to choke back a laugh. Fates my curvy ass. I fell into Jo. Literally. Out of habit I catch Emma’s eye to share in the joke, but jerk my gaze away before we make eye contact. Gods. She’s a fae. My best friend has been lying to me all this time. What else has Emma lied to me about? Kept hidden from me? “Your table is ready if you would follow me?” The hostess’ smile looks a bit strained, and I force down my bitterness like bile. Seemingly clueless, David twirls Emma in a circle, eliciting her surprised laugh. Jo loosens her hold enough that I can walk easily, and we trail them to the table. Jo’s breath tickles my ear. “Chérie, just think it and I will take you home. I am sorry, but I am reading you until we leave.” I meet her gaze and don’t have to force a smile. This is one of those rare times I can honestly say I’m grateful she can read my every thought and emotion. As we settle, the hostess tells us the specials. I’m too upset to follow her practiced litany. My appetite took flight, and I can’t focus enough to read the menu, much less figure out something to order. I cannot fathom how we’re going to get through this meal. As the hostess walks away, Emma stretches across the table and holds her arm out to me. I meet her pleading gaze. “Libby, would you come to the little girls’ room with me?” At her words I freeze, and my vision grays. Crap. Crap. Crap. I swallow hard. Just two days ago I was taken at gunpoint in the hallway outside of a restaurant bathroom while Jo waited at our table, oblivious. Fingers of fear shiver down my spine, and I fight off a second wave of panic in too short a time while stars dance in the periphery of my vision. Jo proves her focus is on me when she lays her hand on my thigh and squeezes gently, grounding me. I take a couple of intentional breaths. That isn’t now and my guards won’t be taken by such a surprise again. My heart still hammering, I meet Emma’s tense gaze knowing full well that I will give in to her. Sure enough, her beseeching look gets to me and I find myself starting to push back my chair. Jo jumps to her feet and pushes in her own chair to help. When I gain the aisle, I lean heavily on the cane, my knees feeling weak. Jo bends to me and I strain to catch her words. “The guards are all on alert and we are all listening. Aella will keep a close watch.” Relief exhales out of me, her words making me feel stronger with the knowledge that they have my back. Grateful, I raise my head for a kiss and Jo obliges nicely. Cupping my face, she looks me in the eye for a long second. I nod, understanding her reminder that she’s ready to whisk me away at the slightest indication. Then she levels a look of such malevolence on Emma, I cringe. My hands barely shaking, I fall in behind Emma to the ladies’ room. Aella turns from the mirror when we walk in, and Emma lets out a small squeak. I can understand why. I just met Aella earlier this evening, and I’m still in awe of the half-vampire, half-ancient warrior who guards Jo. Even without stilettos, the statuesque woman would be imposing. Intricate black ink coats both bare arms in stylized depictions of predatory animals from shoulder to wrist. Spiked mahogany hair frames a square-jawed olive-toned face, and the short black dress shows off muscular limbs. Ice blue eyes glittering red now, she gives Emma a steady look, before turning to bow formally to me. “I’ll be close, Miss Libby.” The vampire is gone before I can even acknowledge the respect she just showed me, not to mention the message she sent Emma in doing so. Aella wasn’t surprised to see us, and she didn’t react to Emma being a fae. Guess she and Jo have been talking mind to mind. Propping the cane beside me, I settle my hip against the lengthy sink counter, reassured by Aella’s nearness. I take another bolstering breath and cross my arms. “Okay, Em. I’m here.” Her wide eyes on the closing door, Emma sputters. “She’s—she’s a vampire, too. And she called you Miss Libby. She’s one of your guards, isn’t she? They—all your guards are vampire, aren’t they? Of course they are. How did I miss that?” And without taking a breath, she switches topics. I’m so used to it, I don’t even react, though the pitch of her voice is higher than normal. She spans the distance between us with pleading hands. “Libby, I’m just so sorry. I’m sorry I never told you. And, I’m oh so sorry you found out in this way. But it doesn’t change anything, I promise. I’m still me. Gosh, if I had any idea… Please. Please understand. I—I couldn’t tell you. It isn’t my decision to make. I never wanted to keep it from you. But I—it—it’s complicated.” I force a laugh. “It’s complicated? Gee, ya think?” I shake my head, attempting to clear the deepening sense of alternate reality, but it only serves to make my head throb. I don’t even know what we are talking about. Was she ever going to tell me what she is? Her best friend? I feel my shoulders tighten as I draw my arms in closer. “Em, you couldn’t tell me? All these years. I’ve told you everything and you never…For crying out loud, I don’t even know what it means! What you are!” Dropping her hands, she stares at me a long moment, her eyes sparkling with unshed tears. Her voice lowers, and the intensity in her gaze speaks to her own state of mind. “I wish—but I can’t tell you, Libby. I’m so sorry. This doesn’t mean…I just can’t. There’s too much at stake or I never would have kept this from you. You have to believe me, if I could have, I would have shared this with you years ago. You’re my best friend. But…I just can’t take the risk. I won’t. And please. Don’t say, well, what I am. Out loud. I can’t explain why. Just trust me, it could be very bad. Please, Libby. Give me a chance. I have to—I have to ask.” Questions swirl around my head. Why can’t I say fae out loud? Who does she have to ask? What’s at stake? What is the risk? My emotions mix with my growing fatigue and increasing pain, creating a nauseous miasma in my gut. “You were the constant I could always count on, Em. Always. I don’t understand this. Any of it. What else have you been lying to me about? Did our friendship even mean anything to you?” Emma grips my upper arm, tears streaming. “Libby, oh my gosh! I can’t believe you’d think that. I never lied to you about anything! Not once. I mean, except for not telling you…this. You’re the best friend I could ever ask for. You’re the sister I never had; I love you. You have to believe me. You know me, Libby. Nothing has changed. I swear. I’m still me. You can still trust me. This is the only thing I’ve ever kept from you, I promise, and I didn’t tell you about this because—” “Because you can’t. It’s complicated. Got it.” I shake off her hand and turn to leave. “You obviously know about vampire, so you left that out, too. You aren’t even human? I need time with this, Emma.” I turn back to her when she grabs my arm, again, and a shudder runs through her. “Libby, be careful. Vampire—they’re dangerous. Really dangerous. You can’t believe what they are capable of, their strength. And they are manipulative liars! They’ll say anything, do anything to convince you. Oh, hold on. Wait a second.” Horrified, she points at my bruised face and the cuts on my arms. “Did Jo do this to you?” I yank my arm out of her hand, anger spiking in indignation. “Jo would never do this to me. She came clean to me about what she is. And believe me, I have no illusions about any of them. I know exactly what vampire can do—a couple of them saw to my education. But I am safer with Jo than I am with anyone else. Anyone.” My anger dissolves as fast as it came on and just as suddenly, exhaustion weighs down my shoulders. What am I doing? How did this happen to us? Turning away from the stricken look in her eyes, I take a deep breath and address the door. “We have been there for each other for nearly 15 years, Em. I love you.” I choke back a sob. “So, we will give each other time. I have to trust that you have reasons for keeping all this from me. Now you need to trust that I know what I am doing and that I’m completely safe with these vampire. Let me know when you are ready for a real, honest talk.” Aella falls a few steps behind me as I walk to the table, barely holding it together. The effort it takes makes my healing cheekbone ache. I don’t have to work to arrange my face into something convincing. I feel horribly sick to my stomach. “I’m sorry, David, but I don’t feel well. Jo, take me home, please.” Jo is already on her feet and dropping a few bills on the table before I even finish speaking. David jumps to his feet while Jo murmurs something to him and wraps her arm around me. I don’t see Emma again as Jo guides me out, Aella close behind. I catch a flash of red hair in the lights as my bodyguard Stan materializes from the shadows to join us. Victor, his partner, arrives from the other direction to escort our party to the car.