Page 26 of Dark Witch Resurrection

The morning sun was climbing across the sky when Marina and Peter stepped out of the house, her hand tucked in his. The village was stirring to life, but the people she saw on the paths were not on their way to work. Given their sporty attire, they were on their way to some exercise facility, some fast walking, others jogging or cycling.

"Does everyone here start their workday late?" she asked.

"Most clan members work from home." Peter led her down the winding path. "So, they can set their own hours." He smiled. "And some don't work at all and engage in creative activity that is not commercial in nature. Every clan member gets a share of the profits the clan enterprises generate, and if they are okay with a modest lifestyle, they don't need to work." He leaned closer to whisper in her ear. "Guardians are very well paid, and I've been promoted twice already, and my pay increased accordingly. You don't have to work if you don't want to. You can be my pampered sex slave."

Marina chuckled. "As tempting as that sounds, I want to work and have my own source of income. I also want to meet people and not be chained to your bed twenty-four-seven." She smirked. "Although, I wouldn't mind that occasionally…"

Teasing aside, Peter might not always be around. He might tire of her or find his immortal or dormant truelove mate, and she needed to save for a rainy day.

It was a conclusion that Marina didn't like giving too much thought to, but she was painfully aware that she'd also once harbored the belief that her ex would be her forever one. Love blinded people to reality, and she wouldn't make the same mistake twice.

Peter kept introducing her to the people they were passing by, but there was no way Marina was going to remember all the names and faces. There were so many, and they all blurred together in a whirlwind of beautiful smiles and greetings.

The good thing was that no one had sneered at her or looked down their noses at her.

Finally, they arrived at the village café, a tiny building the size of a small train car with many adjacent outdoor seats. There were umbrellas over the tables, which probably served more to provide shade than to shield people from rain.

As the smell of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods wafted to greet them, Marina's stomach growled in anticipation.

"I wish I could stay and have breakfast with you." Peter squeezed her hand. "But all I can do is introduce you to Wonder, and then I have to run. My meeting starts in less than fifteen minutes." He pulled a card out of his pocket and pressed it into her hand. "Use this to pay for stuff in the café."

"I have money." She patted her pocket.

Peter shook his head. "You can't pay with money here. Only with the card."

Marina nodded. "Should I wait for you here until after your meeting?"

"Yes, but don't wait for me to have breakfast. I want you to eat, and when I come back, you can have coffee with me." He leaned down and kissed her cheek. "I hope to return bearing gifts."

He was getting her a clan phone, one of those fancy ones with internet access so she could read and watch movies.

"Yay!" Excitement thrumming in her chest, she lifted on her toes, wound her arms around his neck, and kissed him hard.

With a groan, he kissed her back, held her tightly for a few seconds, and then pushed her away. "I can't be late. Onegus will have my head." He turned toward the little booth where two gorgeous brunettes were serving customers. She knew Wonder, who had married the big redhead, but she wasn't sure she had seen the other one on the cruise. "Talk to Wonder. She's the one in charge."

"Okay."

He cast her an apologetic look. "I'll come find you as soon as I'm done." And then he was gone, striding down the path with his long legs.

Marina took a deep breath and walked over, but there was a long line of people waiting to be served, and she felt awkward about approaching Wonder and distracting her from her work, so she stood in line and waited until it was her turn.

"Marina," Wonder greeted her with a friendly smile. "Welcome to the village."

Marina was surprised that the female knew who she was. "Thank you. I was hoping I could talk to you about a job here."

Wonder grimaced. "I'm a little busy right now, but if you take a seat, I'll come to you when it gets a little less crazy here."

"Okay." Marina started to turn.

"Wait." Wonder stopped her. "Did you have breakfast yet?"

Marina shook her head.

"What can I get you? Do you want coffee, a Danish, a sandwich?"

It felt so awkward to be served by the immortal. "Coffee would be nice. And a Danish too, and a sandwich." She smiled sheepishly. "Peter has nothing in his house, and I'm famished. We just got here yesterday and didn't have time to go grocery shopping."

Wonder gave her a sympathetic smile. "Don't worry. I'll take care of you."

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