Free Rise (War Witch Book 1) by Cain S. Latrani

in her life, and he's the best she’s going find."
    "No," Chara raged. "I won't, and you can't make me!"
    "Chara, let me deal with this," Diem warned.
    "To the Hells with that," Chara barked. "I don't need a man! I don't want a man! Maybe, Mom, I like fucking girls!"
    Silence fell over the common room. Diem and Kate stared at her in shock. Lucy stared at her in horror. The patrons stared in confusion. The warrior stared in amazement.
    Daniel stared in appreciation. The warrior decided she would have to punch him for that later.
    Chara's face slowly changed from anger to shock at what she’d said, to terror at what her parents now knew about her. Clenching her fists at her side, the young woman glared at the floor for a long moment, and then looked back up, an expression of defiance and determination settling in.
    The warrior found herself smiling at that. The woman, for she was no girl, had some fire to her after all. She couldn't help but like her more for it.
    After what felt like an eternity of silence, Kate finally found her voice, asking in bewilderment, "Why would you want to do something like that?"
    "That's your first question?" Daniel blurted. "Cause it's awesome, obviously."
    The look his parents gave him sent him sinking back into the corner, mumbling apologies. The warrior felt for him a little. Maybe she wouldn't punch him too hard.
    "Chara," Kate finally managed. "I don't know why you would want to hurt me like this, when all I'm doing is trying to look out for your best interests."
    "I'm not saying it to hurt you, Mom," Chara replied, voice tight and strained. "I mean it."
    Kate gave a weary sigh. "No, you don't."
    "Really?" her daughter asked with an edge of anger. "Fine. I'll prove it."
    Before anyone could react, she turned, grabbed Lucy, and kissed her so deeply and passionately, the other woman turned to mush in her arms. Even when she let her go and faced her parents again, defiance burning bright in her eyes, Lucy simply swayed and smiled.
    "I think that's about enough of that," Kate warned, voice thick with rage. "Go to your room and stay there until I say you can come out."
    "No," Chara shot back. "I won't. It's time you knew the truth about me, and what I want from life."
    "I am not going to listen to another word of this," Kate snapped out, tone sharp and clipped. "Do as you are told."
    "Make me," Chara challenged.
    Despite her better judgment, the warrior realized she needed to intervene. She wasn’t simply a fighter, but a Cleric as well, and the rift in this family she’d come to care for was more than she could stand. Moving quickly, she stood by Chara, resting a hand on her shoulder and offering Kate a gentle smile.
    "You," the woman said in a long, low growl. "You stay out of this."
    The warrior held up a hand, trying to placate the mother before touching her fingers to the mark on her forehead and gesturing to both Chara and Lucy.
    "I want you out of my inn, this instant," Kate told her. "Pack your things, and be gone. Now."
    "Kate, wait," Diem said, trying to stay calm. "She's right. The Gods have always taught that love is love. If this is Chara's heart, we've no right to stand against it."
    Kate turned on him in shock. "Don't lecture me. Our daughter will have a husband, and a family. It's our way, and it has been since the dawn of time. As her parents, we have every right to stand against it. This... whatever it is, is just her way of trying to punish me for not letting her run off and act as a tramp!"
    "And what if it’s how she really feels?" Diem asked.
    Kate's face hardened. "It isn't. Enough of this. Chara, go upstairs, or so help me, I will drag you there and lock you in your room until your wedding day. As for you, warrior priestess, you’re no longer welcome here. Now, get out."
    With that, Kate spun on her heel and stormed into the kitchen, slamming the door behind her. The warrior's face fell as she realized she had failed. With a scream, Chara pulled free of her and raced