38.
The question slipped out of my lips before I could catch myself. I didn't mean for it to sound like an accusation. But somehow it did. Reka frowned.
"I can return the question. But then I would be very rude," her face relaxed. "Didn't your mama tell you that you wouldn't rub a cat the wrong way? It might bite you," I narrowed my eyes at her not getting it. She grinned and got in. I reluctantly followed her.
In the dim hall was a large dreamcatcher with multicolored crystals and dry leaves hanging in the middle. An irresistible force pulled me towards it. I stopped in front of it, the scent of sage leaves wrapped around me. I brushed my fingertips over the threads. There was power weaved into them.
"It's to keep the bad ones out," said Reka from the doorway leading toward the larger part of the cabin. Warm orange light glowed around her black straight hair. She gave me a mild smile, not the usual sexy one. "Come, you're safe here," her voice was gentle. I hesitated when she disappeared behind a wall of beads curtain. I took a deep breath and regretted it. The air was thick with power. Someone or several powerful creatures resided in this cabin. Somehow, it scared me. Taking a deep breath, I marched forward.
The other room was large, thousand of candles lit the dark wooden walls. There was a bar on the right side and several small rounded tables scattered around the room. Half a dozen clients were looked up at me. I felt them and they responded with equal interest. At the nearest table sat a woman, tall thin, beautiful with long black hair. Her tan skin seemed to glow from a light coming from inside her body. Next to her was a guy, I was sure he was a vampire. But he must be younger than Dad. He had short blond hair glued to this skull. Two tables away were three women chatting in low voices. Their hair had each three different shades of red. Their eyes were odd, glowing. They smiled at me as if mocking or they knew something I didn't. Another man sat on a couch on the far side of the room concealed in shadows. He was smoking, glowing red eyes fixed on me. I shivered and quickly turned towards the bar where Reka was perched on a chair grinning at the barman.
"Renesme," she waved me to come over. The barman was handsome, tall, broad shoulders under this white dress shirt. He should be in his late twenties or early thirties. Dark blond hair tight in a ponytail at the base of his skull, disappeared behind his back. He wore a black apron on black pants. His sleeves were rolled up tanned and muscular forearms. But the aura around him was everything but human. when I settle on the chair next to Reka our eyes met. I was blown away. I've never seen eyes like those. Only at the zoo. Panther green eyes. They didn't fit his handsome tan face frames by thick brows.
"This is Aarav," he smiled, he had the same exotic air around him as Reka.
"Pleasure meeting you," he extended his hand and I took it without thinking. Instead of shaking it he leaned and kissed my knuckles. I instinctively pulled back. Reka watched with amusement as I blushed. Aarav straightened up puzzled by my reaction. "Sorry for startling you," he offered a slight bow as apologies. I peeked at Reka and she nodded like she knew some secret I didn't.
"Why are we here?" I whispered. She turned back to Aarav, cupped her face, and grinned at him.
"We are here to get drunk," he pulled two tall glasses from under the counter.
"Wait, if we are getting drunk...then who is driving us back home?" Reka's eyes were fixed on Aarav as he reached for two bottles on the shelves behind him. She didn't answer, a strange light dancing in her eyes as she literally drooled over the barman. So freaking way! It had nothing to do with my broken heart. I can't believe I her let drag me into this. Mom was going to kill me and Dad...I prefer not to think about it.