17 - ARACHNE
EIGHT MINUTES EARLIER
Here we were, enjoying a nice dinner at Doner, one of my favorite boujee kebab spots. Where you grilled skewers over an open flame to your liking. Tonight was meant to be a quiet, peaceful outing after another stressful client.
However, once the camera flashes went wild a few seconds ago, my gut fell from my body.
Because I knew ; didn’t have to turn my head to catch sight of her tall lean figure. I knew she was here. Karma had cursed me.
“Blossom, what the fuck is going on?” I demanded, tossing my fork onto my plate with a clang . “Are you going behind my back with that oversized bird?”
My best friend didn’t respond. Well, unless you call a hearty laugh a response.
“Did you plan this? Is that why we’re here?” My follow up questions stemmed from the fact that I didn’t want to turn towards the front of the restaurant.
“Looks like she’s on a date,” Blossom replied, unknowingly tossing me into a tailspin. My lungs emptied as the lamb I just enjoyed threatened to resurface.
Ignoring my reaction, I cleared my throat. Then asked, “Why are you involving yourself? You’re the only one who knew about Christophar, this reeks of betrayal.”
“You like her,” was all my friend answered with a shrug. “You can verbally deny it, but it’s written all over your face right now, Ara. What’s so wrong with seeing if this goes somewhere?”
“That isn’t for you to decide!” I sounded shrill and despised it.
Blossom tapped her freckled chin condescendingly. “Hmm… I’ll answer for you. What is the point in pursuing the first relationship to strike your interest in over two millennia? Let’s see?—”
“She stands for everything I hate! You should honestly hate her just as much if not more given her connection to the Council. She’s going to be deployed to kill more innocents soon enough.
” I hadn’t meant to explode in public, but the remainder of the restaurant was too distracted by Athena The Great’s arrival to care anyway.
My friend painted a sad smile. I didn’t know what I hated more: That you’re being pathetic right now expression on Blossom or that the stupid and sexy mullet was here with someone else. I nearly rifted home and locked myself in my web.
When Blossom opened her mouth, I threw my face into my palms with a groan. “Have you even asked Athena her feelings about her career? Plenty of beings work for bosses and companies they can’t stand. She’s also not going to be general forever, the last only held their position for decades.”
My Nymph pest of a friend was right, I knew she was… but I wasn’t prepared to admit it. It was inexplicable, I couldn’t tell you if it stemmed from ego or fear, but I didn’t want to like the general. What I wanted was to continue despising her.
All of my reasoning started and ended there.
Which meant I needed to see her on this date. To be wrecked enough to stop feeling this… way toward her. To stab myself in the chest and twist the handle.
With a deep breath, I spun in my seat and nearly fell to the floor.
“What is she wearing?” The growl left me before I could hope to stifle it. That mini disco dress was not dinner-date appropriate. Actually, strike that. It was too tacky for anything other than a dumpster. And the white sneakers she paired it with?
Karma help us all.
When Candy, that tasteless furry, came into view, my eye began twitching. “You have got to be fucking kidding me,” I whispered, hoping Blossom couldn’t hear. But she did. Of course she did; those pointy fae ears of hers caught everything.
“They’re matching, Blossom. They’re fucking matching .”
There was no breathing through the way my lungs contracted this time around.
My vision darkened around the edges when Candy flung herself at Athena.
And once their lips met?
And that brat’s golden eyes caught mine through the window despite the dozens of beings scattered between us.
I couldn’t tell you what happened after because I blacked out from rage.