Page 31 of Issued

I don’t talk about my heritage much, but when I do, people usually misunderstand. They thinkEmeewas either a charlatan or a crackpot. I brought the necklace to show and tell one year, shortly after her death. Everyone in class laughed at me and called me the Wicked Witch of the Northside.

My classmates may have given me a hard time, but it could have been worse. My old classmate, Ally, was half Korean and half black. She grew up in a primarily Asian neighborhood and the parents on her block wouldn’t let their kids play with her or touch her without making them wash their hands afterward with bleach. Looking at Ally made me feel lucky. It was also a silent reminder to keep the things I considered the most special and interesting about me to myself.

I grip the turquoise stone that hangs on a simple braided leather cord and houses my family’sOngon, or ancestral spirit. According to Dad, it held all the spirits of every shaman within our family. It was passed down from mother to daughter, and it’s meant to protect me and give me wisdom. But does it work?

I turn the stone around between my fingers. “I’m not sure.”

Marge reaches over to squeeze my hand. “Well, it must be working so far, otherwise you wouldn’t be here.”

Jim says something in that smooth growl of his that vibrates right down into my bones as he pulls out his chair and takes a seat next to me, but I miss the words. Dinner finally arrives but instead of devouring the meal like I want, I pick at it instead. Especially with those evil bitches watching every move I make. And the way their husbands stare at Jim and me, it’s as if we’re the newest museum exhibit. A spectacle of sorts.

I want to support Jim. But the pressure of worrying about every little thing I do with all these eyes on me is suffocating. Still, I can’t fail. It’s my duty as his wife to make sure he looks good in front of his superiors, no matter what I feel. The same way my mother put on her game face when she hosted one of the precinct’s holiday parties even though she had the flu.

A boom of laughter thunders out of Jim’s mouth, and my breath catches in my throat. Wow, I didn’t know he even knew how to laugh. But he’s good at it. In fact, he’s the kind of guy who throws his head back and slaps tabletops when he laughs because the sound is too big for him to hang on to. It’s a bright, honest sound. Infectious. It brings a smile to my face, and I sway toward him as if there’s physical warmth to be found in his honest mirth.

I start giggling, and he turns to catch my eye. There’s a moment of shared silence before we’re both laughing at one another. I laugh until I’m red in the face and short of breath.

The band starts to play again and I stand then grab Jim’s hand and pull him up from his chair. “Dance with me?”

The corner of his lip quirks up, giving him a lopsided smile, and he nods. We make our way onto the dance floor and Jim pulls me close to him. The violins kick in, then the piano, and finally the slow and sure beating of the drums.

We dance and spin around the floor, my dress billowing out and the lights twinkling with every step. I soak in Jim’s scent, his strength, and the pressure of his warm hand on the small of my back. The music twirls around us like thread and I rest my head on his chest.

I think I’m falling for my husband.

The music slows and I lift my head and look into his soft green eyes. Forget think, I absolutely am falling for my husband. I lift up on my toes, inching my lips closer to his. Instead of pulling away, Jim lowers his head, his lips about to meet mine.

“Senior Chief Stephens.”

Jim straightens and twists to face the man standing at our side. “Captain Redding.”

Redding. I’ve heard the name before. Crap, this is Jim’s commanding officer. I straighten just like Jim did and wrap my arm around his waist.

The older gentleman angles his head to me and smiles. “You must be Taya.”

I gently nod. “Yes, sir.”

Captain Redding’s gaze bounces between the both of us before he shakes his head and laughs. “Appears the program actually works. And to think of all the pushback you gave me, Stephens, for forcing you into the program. Reconsidering only staying in it for a year?”

I glance up at Jim. Then a bright flash blinds me. Then another. And another.

My head jerks sideways as I scan the room. Another flash goes off and finally I spot the photographers. My muscles tense and the air rushes from my lungs.

Oh, God.

I suck in another sharp breath and close my eyes as my heart beats so hard it threatens to explode. If I end up in the papers, Marco can find me. What if Santoro wants me dead? Another flash goes off and my eyelids snap open.

The photographer is facing us.

Jim pulls me tight into his side. “Sir, it was great seeing you. But I believe our ride is ready to leave. Hope you enjoy the rest of the evening.”

Captain Redding nods to the both of us and makes his way into the crowd. Jim ushers me out of the building and into the cold air. When the cool breeze hits my face I take a deep breath. Jim’s hand grips my upper arms as if to steady me. “Taya, are you alright?”

I stare at him, unable to speak. Concern etches into his features. I can’t tell him. For sure, he’ll want to leave me. The man faces enough danger every day. No way he’ll want to stay married to me after what happened to my father at the hands of my best friend.

“Is everything okay?”

Jim and I turn our heads to face Marge. Sucking in a breath, I force out an answer before they push any further on the subject. “I didn’t eat much, plus it was a lot... the worrying about doing the wrong thing. Then the camera flashes did me in for some reason.”

---