AFamiliarFace by Marie Harte Page B

when I wipe out a vamp.”
    His eyes widened. “Vamps where you’re going? Not too far then.”
    She snorted. “I have no idea how far. Or when, or where. You say I spent ten minutes upstairs, but I know it was more like a week in a desert and a jungle.”
    He whistled and stared at Rattler. “Wonder exactly who Rattler is, and who he’s really working for.”
    “Me too.” She hugged Sherm tightly once more and stepped away. “If I stay to say goodbye to Sheila, I’ll never leave. And I know in my heart this is the right thing for me. I love the big guy, Sherm.”
    He studied her for a moment before his lips curled into a smile. “Marriage and all that?”
    “Yep. And babies as soon as I can get my hands on him again.”
    Sherm blinked, but she caught the sheen in his eyes. “I’m going to miss you, Mallory West.”
    “You too,” she said through tears. “I love you, Sherm. Tell Sheila I’ll miss her.”
    “Will do.”
    She quickly turned and searched for Rattler. She found him across the club chatting with…her parents?
    “Mother, Father.” What the hell are you doing here?
    “Mallory.” Her mother stared unblinkingly, her nose twitching as she frowned at the stains on Mal’s cheap shoes. “How distressing to find that this…person…speaks true. You actually work here? Serving drinks?”
    Wow. Saying goodbye to her parents wouldn’t be so hard after all. “Mom, Dad, I’m leaving.”
    As if she hadn’t spoken, her father added, “Aaron has reconsidered his proposal, Mallory. He’d like you to marry him, and he’s willing to overlook your venture into trade.”
    “How nice for Aaron. Again, no. Maybe you didn’t hear me before, but I’m leaving town. I won’t be seeing you again, ever.” A small pang of remorse stung, a wave of nostalgia for the once-warm mother who’d wiped her tears and the father who’d taught her her first spell--all long before she’d proven to be such a disappointment. A lowly trade witch, the bane of their existence.
    “Fine then,” her mother snapped. “Gregory, let’s go.”
    Her father looked down his nose at her. “This is a huge mistake. And one we won’t soon forget.”
    She watched them leave. To her surprise, a huge weight lifted off her chest.
    “I could explain things if you think it would help,” Rattler murmured. He watched her closely.
    “Not necessary.” She sighed. “They’ve always been snobs and always will be. I never fit in there anyway.”
    Rattler studied her with an intensity that made her uncomfortably aware Core considered him a deity.
    “So are you really a god or what?”
    He laughed. “Me? The slave master? What do you think?”
    She looked into his eyes, really looked. The deep black of his gaze seemed fathomless, but in their depths she was startled to see what looked like galaxies and worlds beyond worlds. Waves of power emanated from his being, and a hiss of warning escaped the glittering snake tattooed on the back of his neck.
    “I think maybe I don’t want to know,” she croaked and took a healthy step back. “Where did Core go?”
    He nodded upstairs. “Your friend looked a little tired. And it’s a funny thing, but he looks a lot like me.” Rattler preened. “I look good with hair, don’t I?”
    She rolled her eyes, pleased the boss she knew had returned. “Yeah, you do. But the piercings. I don’t know.”
    He frowned. “I’ll have you know these are holy signs, symbols of absolutes and promises rendered.” Cupping her chin in his palm, he stared. “You really do love him, don’t you, Mallory?”
    “I really do.”
    “Good. He’s a fine warrior and the first truly decent leader the Talians have had in ages. I could think of no other upon whom to bestow our greatest hope.” He gave her a knowing look when she would have asked what hope he referred to.
    “Hope? I thought I was a treasure,” she joked and tried to ignore her blush.
    “You are.” He kissed her softly on the lips, and she jolted