Huntress by J L Taft Page B

the door to the bathroom tightly, she pulled on
jeans and a shirt. She was so ready to go home.
    When Trent was close she had a hard time thinking straight.
Just his presence made her forget all the other details of her life. Details
were what she lived for. They were what made her a good writer.
    She needed time to process all that had happened in the last
week. She hated that she had no control over any of it. But she was who she was
and she would never disappoint her grandmother.
    But Trent made everything difficult. Sure, she had dreamed
of finding the perfect man someday, she just didn’t think it would happen last
week.
    Now she had a whole new life and she didn’t see how it could
work between them, as much as she wanted it to.
    Stomping her foot in frustration, she took a couple calming
breaths before she went to join Granny and Trent in the kitchen.
    She ate and made small talk. The whole time she was trying
to find a way to bring up the fact that she wanted to go home without sounding
rude.
    She finally found an opening and it was on the tip of her
tongue when Eve looked at her and said, “There is a trunk upstairs that was
your grandmother’s. She left it here for you. But I want to speak to you alone
for a second.” Eve looked pointedly at Trent.
    “I’ll just go for a quick walk,” he replied as he got up and
left the kitchen.
    Eve stared at her for a long moment and Fiona wondered if
she was going to tell her to stay away from her grandson.
    But she didn’t say anything at all. She had a knowing look
in her eye that put Fiona at ease.
    “I just wanted to give you a few minutes to look through the
trunk alone,” Eve told her.
    Eve handed her an old-fashioned skeleton key and pointed to the
stairs. Fiona didn’t hesitate. She headed for them without a word. She knew
Eleanor had left her important stuff here to be guarded by her best friend.
    Fiona found what she was looking for in the corner of the
attic.
    The trunk was large, covered in dust but still hard to miss.
It was a battered brown with a curved top. Fiona got on her knees before it and
inserted the key. It turned easily and she lifted the lid.
    There was an outfit folded neatly and she pulled it out. It
was full-body leather and it reminded her of Catwoman. Underneath were several
weapons. The little silver stars she had seen last night in Grandmother’s
memories. Silver stakes, which were heavier than she expected when she held one
in her hand.
    There were other things in there but the sword that was on
the bottom caught her eye. She lifted it out and stood, pulling it from the
sheath in one smooth movement.
    The silver blade curved just a little and the morning sun
shining through the attic windows glinted off it. It felt…right.
    She held it as if she had been holding it all her life. She
twirled and slashed it through the air. She knew how to use it. Her use of the
blade surprised her but it made her feel better.
    She spun again and stepped sideways, bringing the sword
dangerously close to her hair as she sliced it back and forth around her. It
gave her an empowering sense of justice as she did so.
    “Looks like you found what you were looking for.” Fiona
jumped when Trent spoke behind her. He was standing at the top of the stairs
with his arms crossed and his gaze was intent.
    “How long have you been there?” she asked as she slid the
sword safely back in the sheath.
    “Long enough.” He stalked his way across the room and she
held up a hand to stop him.
    “I need to go home, Trent.”

Chapter Ten
     
    Trent took her home in Granny’s jeep since she wanted to
take the trunk and its entire contents with her. Granny had helped them get it
down the stairs with her special talent. Fiona could have done it herself but
Granny had been too worried about her walls getting smashed into to let her.
    The look on Fiona’s face had been more awe than surprise.
After that she had gone quiet and closed herself off. He had tried to get