Warrior (Relentless #4)(47)
She didn’t look convinced, and I wanted her to see that life with our people would be rich and fulfilling. “It’s a good life. There is a deep sense of belonging among the Mohiri, and everyone who comes to live with us is happier than they were living among humans.”
Sara grew silent and pensive, and I wondered what was going through her mind. When the phone in the kitchen rang suddenly, she rushed to answer it. Based on her side of the conversation, it was her uncle calling to check on her. I noticed she didn’t mention my presence when he expressed concern about the storm.
No sooner had she hung up from his call than the phone rang again. This time it was Roland, and based on her comments, he wasn’t happy she was alone with me.
She ended the call and came back to the living room. “Everyone’s checking up on me.”
“The werewolf cares for you,” I said, earning a glare from her.
“He’s my best friend, and he has a name, you know.”
I shrugged. “We don’t make a habit of being on a first name basis with weres, and I’m sure you know they feel the same about us. It’s just how it is.” It still amazed me how close she and the werewolves were, and how protective the pack was of her, even after discovering what she was.
Her chin lifted. “Well, I am Mohiri and I have loads of werewolf friends, so you’ll just have to get over it.”
Hearing her call herself Mohiri sent warmth radiating through me, and I didn’t realize I was smiling until she snapped, “What?”
“That’s the first time you’ve admitted what you are.”
“It doesn’t change anything,” she replied crossly. But her denial lacked the force it would have had a few weeks ago.
“It’s a start.” I smiled at her, and she looked like she was going to make a retort, but she fell silent. “What else would you like to know about the Mohiri?” I hoped her curiosity won out over her determination to have nothing to do with us.
She frowned like she was contemplating what question to ask. “Who is in charge of everything? Do you have a president or a king or something?”
“Not exactly.” I explained the Council and how they met every month to discuss important Mohiri business. When she asked if I wanted to join the Council someday, I couldn’t keep the scowl off my face. “Never. I have no time for bureaucracy and not enough patience to endure the long meetings. I am a warrior, and that is all I aspire to be.” Or it was.
“Didn’t you just say you guys have lots of patience?”
“When something is worth waiting for. I care very little for political matters.”
She gave me a knowing smile. “Something tells me that sentiment doesn’t make you popular with the folks in charge.”
“They are good at their job, and they know that I’m good at mine. We differ in opinion sometimes, but we all work to the same end.”
Her hands toyed with the pillow on her lap. “What do they think about you hanging around some town no one’s ever heard of, wasting time with an orphan instead of out doing your warrior business?”
Did she really believe her life meant so little to us? To me? “You think you’re a waste of our time?”
She shook her head. “I didn’t say I’m a waste of time, but there must be other orphans who need rescuing more than I do. And since I won’t change my mind about leaving, it doesn’t make sense to stick around.”
Being near her and keeping her safe were the only things that made sense in my life anymore, but I couldn’t tell her that. “There is an immediate threat here. We were tracking vampire activity in the area before we found you; it was what brought us to Portland that night.”
My answer seemed to satisfy her because she let it go. Then her brow furrowed slightly and she asked, “Where are you from? You have this faint accent I can’t place and sometimes I think you’re speaking another language.”
“I was born in Saint Petersburg, and I lived there for the first sixteen years of my life until my family moved to England and then America. My accent is usually noticeable now only when I’m aggravated.” Which was most of the time lately.
“And what’s Chris’s story? Is he your partner?”
“I normally work alone, but we sometimes work as a team. Christian and I have known each other for many years.” As soon as I said that, I realized it might have been true at one time, but no more. In fact, I couldn’t remember the last job I’d worked without Chris.
“Christian. It suits him better than Chris.”
My lip twitched. In truth, few people called Chris by his full name, and he preferred the shorter version. “I’m sure he’ll be pleased to hear that.”
Her eyes gleamed impishly. “Well, I aim to please.”
I made a noise between a laugh and a snort, liking this playful side of her.
Her teeth worried her lower lip. “Listen, I know you’d rather be off hunting monsters even if you guys feel like you need to be here. And I know you think I’m a pain sometimes, but –”
“Sometimes?” I gave her a pointed look.
She rolled her eyes. “What I’m trying to say is that even though you are way too bossy and you can be an arrogant ass sometimes, I guess you’re not all bad.”
Surprise and pleasure rolled through me. Her statement was hardly a declaration of affection, but it was a long way from the animosity she’d shown me a few weeks ago. She didn’t see me as a mate, but maybe she would accept me as a friend. I’d be whatever she needed until she was ready for more.