Page 37 of Of Flame and Fate
“That’s understandable,” she remarks carefully. “The music is awful. My head is already pounding.”
“It’s not justweres,” I say. “There aren’t any beings of magic aside from us.”
She quiets, realizing where I’m headed. “There aren’t many preternaturals left following the war, only about a hundred thousand scattered across the globe. Not to mention, with the new threat, they’re being utilized in every way the Alliance can think to use them.”
She’s not dismissing what I’m saying. It’s more like she’s thinking out loud.
“I know,” I agree. “But even though mostwereshave migrated to Tahoe, and were accepted into the Pack, there are stilllonesout there, and Lesser witches who never made the coven cut. I don’t sense so much as a tarot card reader.”
“Is that a bad thing?” she asks, taking her time to further inspect our surroundings.
“It shouldn’t be,” I say, although I’m starting to think maybe it is.
“And you don’t sense any vampires?” she presses.
“No, but they stay close to their masters, and the music would be too much for a rogue.”
“That’s true,” she says, appearing nervous. “And no master I know listens to bands like these.”
She’s right about that.
We’re almost to the funnel cake line when a band of men with large chests, lots of tats, and even more piercings stalk toward us. We don’t exactly blend. Especially Emme who looks like a little dove amidst a flock of vultures.
The last concert we attended was Pink. I’d say it was a different crowd, one where I wasn’t worried about being trafficked or having my kidneys sold on the black market.
The man in front with a row of piercings along his forehead, nose, and chin, fixates on Emme. He makes a “V” with his fingers and flaps his tongue through the center. Yeah, I’d say this is a different crowd than we’re used to.
Emme gasps. “Did you see that?”
“I was trying not to,” I say, making a face.
She shakes her head. “I’m not sure this was a good idea.”
“No,” I agree, especially given the odd lack of magical creatures. “But it’s what Destiny wanted.” I bat away a small plume that breaks away from her hair and reaches my nose.
“You like her, don’t you?”
She’s only asking because in all honesty, I don’t trust many people, not after the way they’ve treated us throughout our lives. And when you don’t trust, it makes it hard to like.
“She’s not so bad,” I say. “Just a little lonely, like the rest of us.”
I almost kick myself for what I say.
Emme’s gentle stare trickles with sadness. Her irises are green and similar to Celia’s. But where Celia’s stare is intense, warning those who draw too close they’re about to lose a limb, Emme’s is soft, allowing her vulnerability to poke through.
“You still feel alone?” she asks. “Even though you and Gemini worked things out?”
I don’t know how to explain what I’m feeling without further diminishing what she’s going through. I do my best. “Ever since we were little, it’s always felt like it’s us, the four of us, against the world. The wolves have made it better, expanding and fulfilling our family more than I’ve ever believed possible. But despite the security and love they offer, it still feels like the majority are against us.” I shrug. “I guess that’s why I still feel we’re on our own.”
“I know what you mean,” she says. Her focus trails ahead. “Do you think that will ever change for us?”
My first thought revolves around what Gemini said and his uncertainty regarding whether most of us will survive what’s coming. But I can’t think that way, not now, and especially not with Emme beside me. She’s hope in a sweet dress and sweeter smile. I won’t allow her to lose that light in her heart, and damn it, despite the odds, I’m not giving up on us. “I think the best we can do is what we’re doing, keep moving forward and fighting the good fight.”
There’s the smile I so adore. “You’re right,” she says. “You’re always right.”
I laugh. “You don’t mean that.”
“Okay, maybe I don’t.”