Page 109 of The Broken Aztec Princesses

“What do you want to know?” I asked.

“Everything! A couple of days ago, you and Chris looked like you wanted to kill each other, and now you guys look like you want to eat each other.”

I blushed. I didn’t think anyone had noticed when we were annoyed with each other. So, I started telling her all about the women who kept showing up while we trained, and our fight over the rabbit.

“You shouldn’t be out there alone. I saw that thing, Vi. It was killing a bobcat,” Bells interrupted.

I glared at her and she stuffed popcorn into her mouth with a smile, so I kept going. By the time I was done, Bells was on her stomach, sighing happily.

“Well, look at you go! Didn’t think you had it in you to make the first move!”

“I didn’t, either,” I answered.

“Cade was right. Chris is good for you. He’s changing you.”

I shook my head at her words.

“He’s not changing me. He’s helping me change myself. He encourages me to become someone who can live in the world again.” Bells smiled sweetly at me, and I blushed again. Then I changed the subject. “And what about you, missy?”

“What about me?”

“‘Cade was right?’ You two have been talking about me and what else?”

It was Bells’ turn to blush and I grinned. I knew something was going on.

“Well, we kind of... we’re not dating,” she answered. “We kind of skipped that part.”

“You mean you guys are...”

“Since the full moon. Lots of it,” Bells giggled, and I thought this was the first time I’d heard her happy. There was a twinkle in her eye that had been missing for so long.

I hugged her.

“I’m so happy for you, Bells. If he makes you happy, you guys cou—” I stopped when Bells shook her head.

“I’m not thinking about that far ahead, Violet. I’m not Cade’s mate and he’s not going to be here forever. I’m just enjoying this for what it is: two people enjoying each other’s company for the time being.”

I wanted to frown, but I didn’t want to ruin tonight, so we continued watching the movie.

“So, what’s going on with Elim?” Bells asked after a little while.

“What about him?”

“Come on, Violet. You should have seen how worried he looked when you were unconscious. He didn’t even care that Chris almost killed him. He just wanted to make sure you were okay. I swear, he was practically crying after you guys left. I don’t think he’s hated being a vampire more than he did that morning.”

“I—he might like me, but I—he’s a great friend but that’s all I see him as,” I answered.

“Does he know? About you and Chris?”

“Yeah, I told him last night when he and Chris had a friendly spar.”

“Ohhh,” Bells looked like pieces of the puzzle were finally clicking suddenly.

“What?”

“Well, it just... it makes sense now why he was so stubborn about being useful, then talking about hating being a vampire and never being among his people.”

My heart broke for the Elim. I figured he was lonely here with everyone working during the day. I’d been trying to be his friend, but that’s all I thought I could be for him. I hoped he found his mate soon. Guardian Moon would be the perfect place for him to do so. There were so many people from all walks of life and species.

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