Free Relic (The Brethren Series) by Deena Remiel Page B

abilities by taking a couple of steps to the window seat of her bedroom. That’s when she noticed Raphael beating upon the carcass of a massive, fallen saguaro cactus with a branch. Through the window, she heard him carrying on, but only made out bits and pieces of his rant. She heard her name in the mix and wondered.
    Why is he so angry with me ? Well, she had, after all, completely taken over his life, a total stranger. With the aggressive display of his romantic attentions earlier and her subsequent stalling of any more, maybe he had second thoughts about becoming entangled with her altogether. Maybe he’s not used to rejection and was pissed off. Whatever the cause, he’d shown her a troubling side to him, a complication she didn’t need right now.
    While Raphael made pulp out of the cactus, Serena made the slow, long trek to the front door. She walked out, sat on the rocking chair, and called Callie on her cell phone.
    “Oh my gosh! Hi! How are you? I’ve been thinking about you night and day, girlfriend,” Callie gushed. “I miss you so much!”
    “Hey, Callie. I’m feeling stronger every day. I miss you, too. I wondered, actually, if you could come by and pick me up. I need to get out of here, and I know my place is a mess, but I just need to be home right now. I’m sure if I ask nicely, the police will do drive-bys and check on things,” Serena spilled out in one frustrated breath.
    “The hospital’s letting you go already? I’m kinda surprised. But if you got the clearance yeah, I can pick you up. I’ll get Randy to close the shop tonight. No problem.”
    “Um, I’m not at the hospital. It’s a long story, but the Headline News version is that the guy who rescued me, Raphael, works for a company with a safe house. He took me there for protection. But I don’t think it’s going to work out.”
    “What do you mean? If it’s a safe house, what’s the problem?”
    He might be able to keep me safe from the bad guys, but he certainly can’t keep me safe from him . “He’s acting strangely. Like he’s different people rolled into one. One minute he’s all nice and everything’s cool, the next…well, he’s different. I think he’s having second thoughts about bringing me here. And I don’t blame him. It’s dangerous to be around me right now. I figured I’d thank him and call it a day. It’s only fair. So I’ll text you the address and directions, all right?”
    “If you think this is best, okay. Oh, about your home, Serena; you don’t have to worry. Everyone from work spent time over there fixing up the place since we knew you’d be coming home soon. We felt you shouldn’t have to come home and see any reminders of the attack.”
    “God bless you! I want you to know that if the big man upstairs hears me at all, you are the most blessed individual on the planet! I’ll see you soon.”
    Callie laughed heartily while Serena tried not to. It hurt too much.
    She dreaded the confrontation once Raphael got wind of her change of plans. If he wasn’t in the foulest mood right now, this would surely do it. But this is my life, my decision. If there is danger to be had, I will face it alone and deal with the consequences. I’ve taken care of myself and others for so long that alone is what I’m used to anyway. And besides, I’m good at it . She’d taken up more than enough of this man’s time and patience, and refused to be a burden any longer, whether he believed her to be so or not.
    Callie wouldn’t be there for at least twenty minutes. Serena took in the lush scenery around her, listened to the cacophony of birds and insects, hoping to find some semblance of peace as she normally would, but couldn’t. Instead, she felt anger and sadness. She would never have children to bird watch or catch bugs with. She’d never see her own children running in the back yard or be able to take them on hikes through the mystical mountains of her home. No, those dreams had been destroyed with a