Page 44 of Destined to Fight

Kelly laughed, not able to help herself.

“Jesus Christ.” He ran his hand through his hair again.

“I’ll take it that you did. Good thing you’re a vampire. It’d likely fall off if you were human; that woman’s had more passengers than a New York taxi.”

Kade walked away, shaking his head.

Ginna led Kelly past the dining hall and around the way to a full bar. It was completely stocked and functional, just like a bar in a restaurant.

“They’ve got everything here, don’t they?” Kelly said.

“Oh child, they have so much more. I’ll take you on a tour after dinner.”

Kelly laughed. Ginna looked like a grandma, but she had the humor of a much younger woman, and she was tenacious too. It was clear she didn’t care what others thought and took charge in any situation. “You know your way around?”

“I do now.” Ginna plopped a mixed drink in front of Kelly, not having asked her preference, and came around the bar to sit next to her. “Tell me what’s on that mind of yours.”

“Well, now it’s the fact that Kade just held a woman up by her neck and threatened to cut off her head.”

Ginna waved her hand through the air. “That’s nothin’, just typical vampires. Well, maybe not the death threat, but they tend to be more violent than other races. What was on your mind before all of that?”

Kelly sighed. She’d never had a close friend to confide in, so it didn’t come naturally.

“Get it out, girl. Holding shit in will never get you anywhere, and I guarantee you have bigger problems than whatever you’re worrying about.”

“I think I’m confused about Kade. From the first moment we touched, I’ve felt safe with him. He keeps sending weird messages, though. He’s sweet one moment, then cold to me the next. When that woman showed up, he”—she stuttered, searching for words—“he, I don’t know what was going on. He didn’t kiss me, but his lips were on my neck and something was happening between us.”

“Honey, that was not a woman, that was a tramp, and she isn’t a threat any longer, so let that shit go. As for Kade’s mixed signals, he’s just another clueless man. Age doesn’t seem to fix that problem even in Arcane men.”

Mixed signals was right. “I’ll try to forget about it all, thanks.”

“Be mindful of what goes on with him, though. It sounds like there is something between you, something you may not have much control over. Arcane often stick with their own kind, and dating between races can be frowned upon.”

“What is this, the sixties all over again?”

Ginna scoffed at her. “What do you know about the sixties? But yes, their ways are outdated when it comes to that. Kade is a fine specimen of a vampire, and I’d say he’s probably worth it if what’s happening turns into more. Just be cautious—yet another thing to add danger to your life.”

“Seems to be my thing lately. But thank you for the heads up.”

“What else?” Ginna asked, raising her eyebrows in expectation.

The woman was relentless.

“It’s almost Christmas. My dad is back home, and I’m not going to get to spend it with him. I know it seems stupid, but he’s the only family that matters to me.”

“Not stupid at all. Family is important when you’re human, and after you’re bonded, you’ll have a new family that’s just as important. I’ll see what I can do.”

“No, no, Ginna, there isn’t anything anyone can do. It’s too much to travel from Scotland to Dallas in such a rush.”

“Never say never, Rookie.” Ginna raised her glass to Kelly. “Cheers.”

Kelly did the same and their glasses clinked. “Cheers.”

“Your lesson for tonight is to stop letting emotions cloud your judgment. Find me, or Fabian, and talk it out if you have to. Or go take it out in the training room, but do not let it rule your mind.”

“Right. Gotta work on that.”

“Yep.” Ginna stood to leave the bar. “Let’s go join the men for dinner.”

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