Protector by Cyndi Goodgame

questions, then you have sixteen to go?”  Her face paled and I took the initiative, “Or I could take a turn?”
    I waited and when she never responded, “Plane or train?”
    Her voice cracked, “Train.”
    “Really, why?”
    “Well, a train can possibly stop anywhere on the tracks, a plane can only land where it is clear for a landing.  I prefer an absolute more than the possibility of no survival.”
    I studied her everything, analyzed her reasoning, “You ’re afraid of dying?”
    “ Immensely!”  ... terrifies me somehow, except when his arms are wrapped around me.
    “And you ’ve never told anyone?” I heard her clear as a bell now.  Shoot!  She blocked me out with the dang ring in her hand.  “Even though you heal?”
    She nodded her head for a long time, so I curbed her with my own need for her to know I was new to this, “Thank you!”
    “For what?” she curled her adorable face sideways.
    “My trust with your secret.”  Next!  “Movies or stargazing?”
    She didn’t dignify with an answer.  Guess I just wanted confirmation.  We were outside after all.
    “Grapes or strawberries?”
    “Grapes with cheese.”
    “Interesting.  Red or green?”
    “Do they come in blue?” She was flirting with me .  “Seedless,” she offered opposite of what should be answered.
    “Wine, red or white?”
    “White.  I like the way it rainbows in my glass.” 
    Yeah, the total evil chick role was just a part of her.  She was more like a stained glass window.  Many facets of one piece that all add up to perfection.  I started pulling out the goods.
    “How did you know?” she shyly asked drawing many conclusions about the things I knew.
    On one knee, I remained silent as the best defense.  The less she was mad at anything, the better.
    “Why were you born here, at my gardens?”
    I watched the zigzagged patterns swirl around in my glass in front of her and  spoke, “I was born a Valkyrie.  Here.  In the same place as you.”  She did a short intake of breath.  “Remember your father knew about me?”  I pointed to where the sun is in both of us.  “We were born on the same night, your brother, you, and I.  And when my mother died she left the same kind of letter that the gods had deemed enough for us.  He killed himself (because of her probably) and left me behind.  I stayed and grew up two floors down below you.  The Vampire Lord turned me in an attempt to protect me from the fate that the three of us were destined to but it was leading right into what would all play out anyway.  Your father helped him.”  They just let me get there on my own.
    She opened her delectable mouth, but I slid one finger against her soft lips to stop her words.  The action brought shivers to my spine.  I continued once she calmed a little, “This may all come out jumbled up, but I have never spoken it aloud.  My father turned me for various reasons (not just for the reason I wanted which was her).  I lost my place in the Val court that day.  I only returned the day your father summoned me and asked for my help only to fulfill the original destiny back to its place.  Since my sired father was dead (at sixteen), I was left alone to make a decision that was already in the making.  I didn’t have any decision to make after that first night with you.  I knew.”
    “I ’m sorry.”  Anastacia stammered sadly.
    “For what?”   Why would she be sorry?
    “For all that you went through.  No one should have to question where they belong or lose the ability to choose what or where or how you want to go.” 
    “Thank you, but I did choose.  And so did your brother.”
    “Szar?” she wasn’t expecting that.
    “He chose to be taken, beaten, and withstand malnutrition for your safety.  He is truly courageous and admirably underestimated.  He will be a great leader.”
    “Were talking about my brother?” She dragged out the part that would indicate her brother far from the truth she