20 #3
Ohhhhh, I would debate that, but I wouldn’t since I wanted her on my side and to get her help.
“She feeds everyone.” I waved off the scathing comment she was ready to give me from the venom that filled her eyes.
“She likes to feed everyone. She got free and found out she likes to cook.
She likes meal prep and people happy around her.
“Fed people are happy. They appreciate her and thank her. My mom says she hates dishes and grocery shopping, so someone she used to work with does that for them. Cool. Clare likes the meal planning and organizing for the ‘fighters’ to help. It’s not sexist. She’s making her own path and she likes it. ”
“She probably likes getting to know the guards on a personal level after being with the Shaws where they were all corrupt and would hurt her for fun after how her father treated them,” she muttered. She gave me a look to file that away when I blinked at her.
Okay, fine, she was probably good at her job but messed up with Bevin.
“Maybe, I don’t really know her because I messed up bad with Bevin and then snapped at Clare that she didn’t get to pretend to be a sister now after all these years. I know they’re repairing—this isn’t my session.”
“No, but you need one,” she said gently.
“We all do, but we don’t have anyone who won’t use it against us.
Won’t maybe make it worse. My point is that Clare understands that we need a community, not just fighters.
That’s what led me to you. Your mom is helping the same.
Brings meals and… I think she’s helping Bev learn how to be a girl?
Bath stuff to settle her magic. I don’t know. I’m on the outside.”
“I’m sorry. That really hurts you,” she said gently with a quick glance around me. It was very subtle like she was processing and thinking of how to proceed.
“Seeing auras must really help in your work,” I muttered.
“It does,” she said. “I’ve worked hard for my life. You’re asking me to give that up.”
“No, no, I’m not.” I shook my head when she argued.
“I’m asking you to pull your head out of the sand before you lose it.
” I pulled out a piece of paper I’d written a number down on.
“You pissed off Taylor and Link too much that they’ve written you off, but someone who works for Taylor said she’d read you in on what you’re really missing. That’s who got me here.”
She took the paper that had Emma’s number on it. Her eyes flashed shock, but then she swallowed, something making her nervous. She froze and studied me. “You don’t know who she really is, do you?”
I opened my mouth but then closed it. Frowning and then feeling stupid. “She’s from a top-tier family. She got out. I’m an idiot. It was right there in front of my face.”
“No, probably not, because the Emma I remember was beyond smart and capable and I bet she’s even more impressive now,” she said after a moment. “She’s well?”
So they knew each other. I gave her a soft smile. “Call her and find out. If nothing else, clearly it’s a chance for you to reconnect that I didn’t understand.”
She chuckled. “Yes, well, to survive her family, she had to play everything close to her chest. That’s not a skill you ever let go.” She met my gaze. “Free advice since you have feelings for a Shaw no matter her last name now.”
“Thanks.” I stood and chugged the rest of my water.
“Don’t wait, Leigh. At least get the truth about how bad it is so you can protect yourself better.
The war is starting and you’re too vulnerable here.
The top-tier families won’t care you’re in a condo surrounded by humans.
Some were going to snatch Bevin right out of a coffee shop in front of them. ”
She hadn’t known that or maybe had thought it was overblown because she went pale hearing that. I was glad I’d said it then. She needed to know the reality.
I thanked her and called my brother to come bring me back to his place so I could grab my gear so I could head to school. We talked for a bit and we left it good, so nothing surprised me more than finding him waiting for me with a visitor’s pass at lunch.
Something was off with him and I swallowed a sigh when he looked like he was treading lightly.
“Spill,” I finally just said as I waved for him to join me and swiped twice for him to eat too.
“I went to check on Bevin since you were worried,” he told me under his breath even with a barrier over us. “You said she wasn’t here yesterday and that worried you.” He waited until I nodded. “Wyatt slept over. I was in the kitchen when they both came downstairs.”
“And?” I hedged.
“And nothing,” he said firmly. “He even said it was about her magic and he was on the couch.” Kevin sighed when I gave him a look like why was he telling me then.
“Kel, you’re struggling. I didn’t want you to hear something offhand that could upset you.
I couldn’t handle a relationship like the one you’re thinking of, okay? I just didn’t—I’m not trying to start…”
“Thanks,” I whispered, knowing where his head was.
“Yeah?”
“Yeah, really.” I moved my arm over his shoulders and gave him a half hug on the way to the trays.
He was worried about me and didn’t want me to hear something in passing and freak out that my place with Bevin was even further out of reach. I got it.
Now I just had to keep working on fixing things with the woman I wanted.
How?
No fucking clue.