Friends with Secrets

MADDIE

“We’re finally all back together!” Thea shouted gleefully.

It was true. The fabulous five were all back together. And after all the shit that I’d been through recently, I wanted nothing more than to bask in our silliness.

There was nothing like having a glass of wine on the couch surrounded by Requiem’s best and brightest...and blindest.

“Now that Maddie’s finally left her palace in the sky,” Darshan said, “and since Zayda and Harry have graced us with their presence, maybe we can be the big happy family we always wanted to be.”

“Does that make you and Thea the mom and dad?” I quipped.

The group laughed, but I could see a bit of tension on Harry and Zayda’s faces.

I’d just learned they’d known about Darshan and Thea’s relationship before I did. Why didn’t anyone fill me in on the details before I had to stumble on it myself?

“If that’s the case, then maybe you can start to bring home the bacon,” Harry murmured. “Because hell if I can find anyone that’ll hire me.”

The one thing about our great big family, good or bad, was that everyone seemed to be dealing with a similar problem:

~Money.~

“Of course,” Darshan said. “Leave it up to the blind man to provide for everyone.”

I looked around at my friends and was surprised to find one in particular staying unusually quiet in the corner. Zayda was usually high energy with a motor that didn’t quit.

Today, however, she seemed a bit down. Maybe it had to do with Xythor? But if she found out about his secret identity as a dragon, I'm sure she would have more than a few things to tell me...so what was keeping her so quiet?

“I was thinking about applying at restaurants to be a chef,” Darshan continued.

Everyone looked at him, waiting for the punchline. His straight face told us there was none.

“Wait,” Harry blurted. “You can cook?”

“I’m blind,” Darshan replied, “I can still taste. Plus, we’ve got to do something besides sit around here and wallow in our self-pity.”

“We can all thank Maddie for that little issue,” Thea said half-jokingly.

“If you hadn’t spurned your father and forced me to break out the dragon twins, we’d still have free rides to Xander University,” Darshan added.

“Yeah, yeah, poor you,” I replied. “But it’s a good thing that I’ve got something that will help change all of that!”

I could see their faces perk up, and I was ready to be the hero. I only hoped they would be as accepting of my new employment as I’d been.

“Don’t tell me,” Harry said, “You got back with the Dobrzyckas, and we got full access to the treasure room!"

~UGH!~

I groaned so loud at the possibility I could feel the couch shake.

“I’ll take that as a no,” Zayda said from the corner.

Well...at least she was talking again.

“If it’s not that, then she must have her next mark picked out!” Darshan squealed. He had never been the happiest about my past life, but when it came to pulling us out of impending debt, he couldn't smile brighter.

“You could say that,” I teased. “I did visit our old neighborhood in the Skeleton Quarter and managed to run into our old buddy Darren. He offered me a gig to help him sell overhead.”

In one collective breath, the air in the room seemed to be sucked out.

~Oh shit, here we go.~

“She went from a penthouse to a drug den,” Darshan uttered in disbelief.

“Maddie, how could you?” Thea asked, more than a little angry.

I didn’t know what to say. I knew it wouldn’t be the best reception, but money’s money, right? Wouldn’t they forgive my cavorting once we could afford more than just some bread and milk?

And the occasional bottle of wine…

“What did they do to you?” Zayda asked sadly. “Did Loch and Hael force you to do this?”

I groaned again and shook my head.

“The only thing forcing me to do anything is fucking fate!” I yelled.

“Which I’ve come to realize isn’t going to let us get away with anything free,” I continued. “We have to work hard to follow our paths. And sometimes that means doing something we don’t always agree with.”

Zayda chuckled in disbelief.

“As long as you get paid, why should it matter? Right?” Zayda asked.

For a split second, I almost gave away the secret that would pop whatever sweet little bubble she'd built around herself.

My own friend was fucking a dragon and was ~utterly clueless~!

But I took a deep breath and tried to find my bearings.

“I mean, I'm down," Harry said.

Another wave of annoyance washed over the room.

“You can’t be serious,” Thea said. "In one day two of our best friends are now full-time drug dealers?"

“If she’s going to risk her life to make money for ~everyone~," he replied, looking at their faces, "then why not have a friend to watch her back?”

“That’ll help me a lot more than judgment will,” I added.

The others didn’t like that.

“Excuse me,” Thea said. She stood up from her chair and left the room.

Darshan quickly got up and went after her, maneuvering around every piece of rearranged furniture without stumbling.

Zayda and Harry remained seated for the moment, shifting uncomfortably.

“You’d really do that?” I asked. “Back me up with overhead even though you’d be seen as a lowlife?”

“Hell, yes,” he replied immediately. “I've already been called a lowlife too many times to count. Might as well back up the reputation.”

I gave him a hug and felt genuine relief that at least someone was on my side.

Zayda poured another glass of wine and then stood up, moving into the kitchen. I followed her and leaned against the counter, anticipating a scolding for my choices.

Instead, she just sipped on her rosé and seemed to look right through me.

“Don’t you have any more quips about Dragon Slaying or drug pushing?” I asked.

She shook her head. “You make your own choices, Maddie,” she replied. “I’ve always known that. It’s what I like the most about you.”

She gave me a slight smile, and I could feel the extra weight added by Thea and Darshan slide off my shoulders.

“Thank you, Zayda,” I said with a reassuring smile. “I really appreciate that. And you.”

“I know,” she replied, not in the least bit sarcastic.

“What about you?” I questioned. “You’re not worried about making ends meet?”

She looked away and shifted her weight. Just like I had seen in her earlier...something was definitely off.

“About that…” she said uncertainly. “I’ve started an internship.”

An internship! How the hell did she pull that one off? And why didn’t she want to share the good news?

“That’s amazing!” I said happily. “What job are you interning for?”

“Promise you won't be mad?” she asked.

I was taken aback by the question but could see the conviction in her eyes. She was seriously worried about my reaction.

I nodded my head slowly.

“I’ve been kept on at Xander University,” she continued. “And apart from taking classes, I'll be studying in a private laboratory.”

My body went numb, and my vision blurred. I was glad that I was still leaning onto the counter, or else I’d faint face first onto the ground.

“Maddie?” Zayda asked. “Are you okay?”

But I could barely hear it.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

~It was okay. Everything would be okay…~

“I’m fine...it’s just...maybe it’s the wine,” I lied as I walked toward my room.

Zayda offered a hand but I pushed it away.

It wasn’t possible.

“How could you work for the man that tried to kill me?” I asked.

Zayda shook her head, unsure of exactly what to say.

“I mean, I know he’s been a complete asshole to you,” she said. “But this is a chance for me to find out what exactly I am. I don’t know what a blood mage is, but Xander could give me some clues.”

“Great idea,” I scoffed. “Trust the same man who made pawns of my friends to try and get me to do his bidding? But ~you~ think he could help…”

“Maddie, please, I’m not going to let him anywhere near you,” Zayda pleaded

I shut my door and locked it, feeling a tremor of dizziness overwhelm me. I plopped down on the bed, trying my best to comprehend what had just happened.

~Do you...um...need anything?~ Hael’s voice called out.

I sat up, expecting to see him standing in front of me.

There was no tall, dark, and handsome man...just my empty room.

Maddie

Not anything you’re thinking of.

Hael

Don't lie to me, mouse. I’m sensing some stress and would be more than happy to oblige in releasing it…

Maddie

As you saw the other day, I’m just fine on my own.

Hael

Very well. But I’ve left a little present if you change your mind.

A small puff of mist appeared above my desk. It faded instantly, leaving a small box behind.

I moved to it, more than a little cautious.

On top of it was a small note that simply read ~Maddie.~

I opened it, and my jaw nearly hit the floor.

Holy shit!

I picked up the collar decorated in diamonds and emeralds. This must have cost a fortune. And it was worth more than anything I had ever even imagined copping.

As much as I hated to admit, Hael knew how to tug on a former thief's heartstrings.

Damn him for making me want to reach out to say thanks. But that’s all he would need to initiate something more. And the last thing I needed was Hael showing up in my room a second time in as many days.

What was his game anyway? Why was he being so patient, and not breaking down my door and dragging me back to Req Tower? And where the hell was his twin? It was strange to hear from Hael without Loch.

I tried to push my suspicions aside. I had better things to do than worry about the Dobrzyckas.

I needed to try and find a path on my own, without him giving me anything and everything I could ask for.

Though on second thought, maybe this collar could help me start on my own path. I bet it would fetch a pretty penny at the nearest pawn shop...