Page 5 of Valkyrie Unknown

And I couldn’t tell these women a single bit of that, because they lived in a world where magic belonged in fairytales and wolf shifters were for movies and books, and they wanted to find that one perfect, magical vagina they could devote eternity to.

Fuck, my cynicism was winning out. I wouldn’t be fun if I slid into that.

“You need the tail to go with your ears.” Tori’s announcement caught me off guard. She yanked her shirt up, exposing half her stomach and the bottom of her boobs.

I didn’t want to know if any of the few other people on the street were reaching for their phones. I tugged down Tori’s shirt again. “I’m okay without the tail.”

“No you’re not.” Tori fumbled with her belt buckle and managed to undo it with minimal effort.

“You’re really not,” Jaycee said. “You’re sad. Tails make everyone happy.”

Did they? They were fun to tug, if they elicited a groan in the bedroom. “It clashes with my outfit.” Was that a legitimate excuse? I had no idea. My jeans were meant to be baggy enough to move in, but the fabric dense, to act as a lightweight armor.

“Pink goes with everything.” Tori yanked the belt off with a grunt and held the woven pink strap up in the air, the fuzzy tail half-sticking out like a distorted hunting trophy. She shoved it at me. “You have to wear it with the ears.”

I couldn’t be irritated with the request, as ridiculous as it was. I’d only be one of them a little longer. Instead of arguing, I wove the belt through the loops on my pants and fixed the tail into place as best I could.

Gwen leaned in to straighten my headband. “There. Pretty ginger kitty.”

“Pretty. Pretty.” Jaycee clapped.

I rolled my eyes, but I was smiling. Most of my life, I’d been on the run with my mom. Hiding. Moving the moment she thought someone might have found us. That made it hard to make friends, let alone keep them. The closest thing I had to companions were the masters who taught me various fighting styles, wherever we went.

Like Rayne, the elf who made my magical daggers. Who taught me to use them. Who I dared callfriend.Who was cut down in front of me, and who I had to watch bleed out while her killers walked through a door and vanished before I could retaliate.

Fucking fae.

“Ouch.” Tori’s yelp broke me from the memory

Shit.I was gripping her arm too hard. I forced a smile. “Sorry.”

“Are you all right?” Jaycee was serious again.

“I’m good. I promise.” I really was. In this moment, these were my friends.

Less than fifteen minutes later, we’d reached the place they were staying, and I waited outside their room while they unlocked the door. “Are you sure you don’t need a ride back to Salt Lake tomorrow?” Gwen asked.

I nodded. “Positive. I’ve got a job further west.” I didn’t, but I’d find something. Or I’d stick around here for a little while. This seemed like a good place to find new clients.

Tori threw her arms around my neck, startling me. “Thank you. You were awesome.”

“No problem.” I squeezed back and tried to be kind about extracting her from me. “Have a great wedding.” I reached for the ears. “And you should take these back.”

“No, you keep them.” Tori nudged me away playfully. “You make a good kitty.”

Whatever.

But the brief exchange warmed me.

I made sure they were secure in their room, and then headed to the lobby. After a brief conversation with the nighttime security guard, I had a promise to keep an eye out for them, and my job was done.

Usually I could ride the high of a night like this for a few days, living in that warm, fuzzy, not-so-lonely zone.

Tonight the pit inside was already back. Why?

Probably the Berserker. Well-hung fucker. Maybe I could go back to the club and see if he wanted a nibble.

Bad idea.

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