Starwalker (Starborn 1) (Sci-Fi Fantasy Romance) by P. Jameson Page A

fitting.
    Emma broke the silence. “Yes, I think that is a good idea. She would only worry herself if she knew the details. I will say nothing.”
    Canna nodded, her gaze going back and forth between Gill and Emma. “Has all been well here?”
    “Oh, yes,” Emma said quickly. “I couldn’t sleep so I came down for some tea. I made a wee mess of things, is all.”
    Canna’s inquiring glare swung to Gill and stayed there. He held her gaze, not willing to back down under her scrutiny. After all, he didn’t like her that much and cared even less about her opinion of him. In fact, in Gilleth’s eyes, she had only two things going for her: that she was Breckken’s Heartbeat and that she had helped save Emma tonight.
    Emma cleared her throat awkwardly and Canna looked away.
    “I will see you tomorrow then, Emmalyn. Send word if you are in need of anything. I shall be available to you.”
    “Thank you again, friend,” Emma said.
    Cannalise froze. Just went rigid, as if she was an ice sculpture.
    Gill looked around wondering if she’d sensed some danger. But there was nothing. He cocked his head and stared at her unmoving form: blank face, stiff shoulders, defensive stance. Was this maiden always ready to do battle? Always so wary, so… afraid ?
    Yes, she was afraid.
    And that was funny because Gilleth had always thought her fearless. But no, she was afraid of the little things. For example, something about Emma calling her friend had sparked this reaction.
    She seemed to pull herself together, nodded and left the same way she came.
    Gill followed her out.
    “Hey, wait.” But she marched on, ignoring him. “Excuse me, Cannalise.”
    She turned on him so fast he almost fell backward trying to avoid smacking into her.
    “What do you want?”
    Well. Let’s just get right to the point.
    “I want to know why you wish Emma to keep quiet about the Helix.”
    She stared back at him, unmoving, but countered with a question of her own. “Why was Emmalyn crying?”
    Damn. He didn’t want to talk about that with her. It wasn’t her business. His mouth pressed into a hard line.
    Canna sneered, stalking off. He followed, finding it challenging to keep up.
    “I’m trying to keep her safe. I need to know what’s going on. Why don’t you want Ula to know about the Helix?”
    “It’s like Emma said. Ula will worry herself.”
    “Yeah, right.  I know Ula just as well as the next person. She’ll see that Emma’s okay and not think twice about it. She’s not the worrying type.”
    “Emma will be safe. Don’t fret.” 
    “Don’t fret?” He grabbed her by the arm.
    Big mistake.
    In a quick move, she twisted her arm around his, grasped his wrist, and bent his hand forward so he couldn’t move it even a notch. Then she applied pressure and searing pain ran from his fingertips to his shoulder.
    With a voice like steel she warned, “Do not ever touch me. Understand?”
    Gill glared at her. She was so unpleasant. So completely hostile.
    “Do. You. Understand?”
    “Yes,” he rasped.
    She released him with a shove, but he wasn’t done with her.
    “I see through you,” he scoffed. “You care about her or you wouldn’t follow her around making sure she’s okay. And I saw the lie in your eyes when you suggested she stay quiet. All I need to know is why you wish to keep the details of the attack from Ula.”
    Canna stopped her march but didn’t turn around. Her hands landed on her hips while she glared at the ground.
    “Why was she crying? You tell me that and I’ll tell you about Ula.”
    So that was how it was. Tit for tat. Fine.
    “I believe she was crying because… because her feelings were hurt.” That was part of the truth.
    Canna’s head snapped up and those all-too-knowing eyes bore into his. “What did you do?” she hissed.
    He was momentarily stunned. “I did nothing!”
    Not true. He had ignored Emmalyn for multiple centuries, lied to himself about his feelings for her, and effectively convinced