Make Me A Match (The Matchmaker) (15 page)

“Yes, my lord,” Owen replied, taking hold of my upper arm
and dragging me down the stairs. Annoyed and tired of being led around like a
child, I jerked away from him. Fortunately those seats that spread across the
coliseum were empty. I couldn’t imagine what it would be like to enter this
place with an audience.

The man’s gaze drifted to mine. “Ms. Watts, I presume?
Please, come in. Do sit.” He waved a long, pale hand toward the end of the
table where there was a vacant chair.

So that was it then? This was the Consulate? I admit I was a
bit underwhelmed by them…a bunch of old men and women in robes. Still, there
was something intimidating about the entire situation. Unwillingly, I moved
toward the chair. They just sat there silently, watchful, as if they’d expected
me all along when Owen had said they hadn’t even known about my existence.

I settled at the end of the long table, feeling as if I were
on trial. Maybe I was. The torches that burned around the room only added to
the eeriness of the entire situation. Didn’t they have electricity? And Owen…he
was of no help. He merely stood in the shadows, ignoring me.

“You left without word, Owen. You broke the rules.”

“Excellent start,” I muttered softly, glaring at him. Why
hadn’t he told them? What was the big secret? Now I had a feeling I’d have to
pay for his lapse.

He slid me a glance. I’d spoken low, but he’d heard. “It
came suddenly, my lord.”

“And you couldn’t send word?” the man replied calmly, too
calmly.

“I have questions,” I interrupted, before a fight broke out.
Yeah, I was saving his butt, but I was also interested in the truth. “And I’ve
been told you can answer them.”

The man slid Owen a glance, a glance I knew too well. They
assumed I was going to be trouble. I wasn’t supposed to speak my mind. Awesome.
Apparently when we’d flown here, we’d also flown back to a time before women
had rights. Well, I wouldn’t be difficult, as long as they responded to my
questions. I rested my hands on the arms of the chair, drumming my fingers as I
waited impatiently.

“Emma, my name is Lord Falconer. The High Consulate.”

I had to bite back my laugh. Seriously? That could
not
be his real name. But
yeah…apparently it was so. “Nice to meet you.”

“And of course, please, ask away.” The man smiled at me.
Even from where I sat, a mile away, I could tell his smile wasn’t real. It
didn’t quite reach his cold eyes. They were humoring me, testing the waters to
see just how far they could push me before I’d fold like a good little girl.

I smiled back. Let them think they were in control. “I’m a
Matchmaker.”

He nodded slowly. “Yes, that is what we call your kind.”

“
My kind
. What is
exactly my kind? I mean, how did we come about?”

“Eternities ago Cupid mated with a human. Your line descends
from that mating.”

I laughed. I couldn’t help myself, it was just so
ridiculous. Yep, that’s me…totally inappropriate. I supposed I should have been
able to believe in Cupid. Why not? I’d seen vampires and demons, for God’s
sake.

The Consulate didn’t look impressed by my laughter. Didn’t
really look offended either. They were rather robotic, and I was starting to
understand where Owen got his lack of emotions.

“I’m sorry,” I said, although I didn’t mean it. “It’s just
rather hard to believe.”

“As punishment, every Matchmaker now lives in servitude,
finding soul mates for others.”

Wow, wait. Punishment? I was being punished for something
that had happened over a thousand years ago?

“So this is my punishment?” I sent a glare toward Owen. He’d
made it sound like it was an honored position. The liar. And he’d said I was
human, but was I? “And him?” I jerked my thumb toward Owen. “What about him?
Why’s he being punished?”

“When your kind was punished, the gods realized the
importance of your position.” Falconer started toward me. “Athena, feeling
sorry for your kind, produced the Protectors, to help protect you.”

“Protect me from what?”

He paused halfway to me, his hands clasped behind his back.
“There are certain Underworld beings who do not wish to see humans thrive, they
see your kind as mere vessels of energy to use at their disposal. Love makes
humans powerful, which means they can fight back.”

“Underworld beings. You mean vampires? Demons? What else is
there?”

He gave me a soft smile. “Whatever you can imagine, my
dear.”

Oh God, I had a really great imagination. This wasn’t good.

His gaze left me and he focused on Owen. “Any threat from
the outside world?”

Owen paused and I could tell he was weighing his options. He
obviously didn’t trust these people; should I? “Yes. Two demons in the States
and vampires here.”

A soft murmur of voices erupted around the table. Finally,
they were showing some emotion, although I wasn’t sure I liked their looks of
shock. I couldn’t hear what they were saying, but Owen’s response had surprised
and unnerved them.

“Owen, you may retire. I will escort Ms. Watts to her room
when we are finished.”

My heart dropped and my gaze jumped to him. Why I felt like
he was abandoning me, I wasn’t sure.

Owen didn’t move, his gaze unflinchingly on Falconer, and I
realized in that moment that he was going to decline, and then he’d probably be
punished in some way.

“Owen.” There was censorship in Falconer’s voice.

I surged to my feet. “Wonderful, I’d love a tour.”

Owen’s gaze slid to me. For one long, tense moment we didn’t
speak. I read the look in his eyes; he wanted me to behave, but there was
something more too…he was worried about me. I barely had time to understand the
emotion coming from him when he finally bowed, gave me one last glance, then
turned and started up the steps, fading into the shadows.

Reluctantly, I returned my attention to the table, but the
others were gone. No one but Falconer remained. They’d just…disappeared.

Falconer moved around the table and toward the far end of
the platform. “If you want answers, you’ll follow me.” He waved his hand in
front of the wall and a panel slid back, revealing a room of some sort. “Come
along, Emma.”

I didn’t want to go with him, I wanted to chase after Owen
and demand to know why he’d just dumped me. I wanted to know if Pet really was
his girlfriend. But with Owen gone, I had no real choice and followed Falconer
into that room.

At the threshold I froze. Holy hell. It wasn’t just a room.
No, the area was as large as the coliseum, but this one had rows and rows of
shelves full of books.

“Where are we?” I whispered.

“The library, of course.” He smiled kindly at me, and I
could sense his pride. He ruled here, and he loved it.

When he started walking, I followed, our footsteps echoing
eerily throughout the room. It was quiet…so quiet. There was no one else that I
could see as I peeked down the dark aisles.

“Knowledge, Ms. Watts. Everything you’ve ever wanted to know
about your kind. About the past. About Protectors. About everything and
anything.”

My heart slammed against my chest, beating erratically. Even
if I didn’t quite understand the importance, my body did. I never knew so many
books could exist. “And they’re all about love?”

He chuckled. “Not just love, but many are. Without love, my
dear, the world falls into chaos. It is the only emotion that ties us all
together as human beings. Real, true love. Not obsession or lust, as so many
experience.”

I’d never spoken about love with so many males. It was…odd.
Did they really believe all this romantic crap? I’m sure Lizzie would be
falling all over herself with giddiness, but it just made me uncomfortable.

“It is up to you to keep that love flowing.”

Wow, nothing like feeling the pressure. I drew my fingers
across the leather binding of a book written in Latin. “How?”

He rested his hand on my shoulder, as if he were speaking to
a child. “By making your matches.”

“How do I know who needs this love?” I raked my hands
through my hair, feeling confused and exasperated. “Do I merely touch them?
There was a man in a coffee house, and I touched him—”

“They must be ready, of course, and many humans are not
quite ready for their true love. They are too needy, too desperate for
affection. Ironically enough, it is only when you are comfortable being alone
that most find their soul mate. But yes, if they are ready, or ripe, as we
say,” he laughed, obviously finding himself quite clever. “Then it only takes a
touch. Once you’ve touched a person, the attraction will not let go. Their love
will drive you mad until you match them.”

“And if I don’t want these powers?” I dared to ask.

He pulled back and frowned, as if startled by the question.
“I’m afraid only your death can release you, my dear.”

Great, just freaking great. So I’d have to touch people I
didn’t know, have to speak with them, force them into matches with significant
others they didn’t even realize existed. It was insane, and the fact that I’d
been making a living by breaking up people wasn’t lost on me. Oh, the irony.

But I could handle it. I could handle anything short-term.
Soon I’d get used to my powers, learn not to touch people, although I wouldn’t
admit that much to Falconer. I supposed I could handle all of this for now. As
soon as I got answers, as soon as I was ready to stand on my own, I was out of
here.

We turned and started back toward the door. “Once I get used
to my powers, will it be safe to return home? There isn’t any reason why I
can’t match in Michigan, right?”

Apparently I’d startled Falconer again, for he paused and
looked at me like I’d just told an inappropriate joke. “My dear, this is your
life now. I’m afraid you can never return home.”

I stiffened. Owen had said he’d live where I lived, which I
took to mean I could live anywhere. “But…never?”

He shook his head. “Never.”

Owen

She was angry. I could sense her ire pulsing through the
castle like a storm about to explode, and I knew why. Falconer had told her the
truth. I’d already had my chat with the man, who had reprimanded me for leaving
without permission, and he’d explained Emma’s surprise.

I’d known what she thought, but I’d put off telling her the
truth hoping she would grow to appreciate the place. Still, there was only so
much guilt I felt, for everything had been done for her own safety. Besides, as
much as she couldn’t seem to get it, matchmaking wasn’t about her. This was
about the greater good.

I appeared in the training room, a large gym with mats, and
leaned against a marble column. It’s not like I’d been avoiding her, I’d had
people to meet with, ruffled feathers to smooth. I crossed my arms over my
chest, partially hidden from view as Emma paced the large training room. I
hadn’t seen her in three days, but it felt like a bloody month. I’d hated
leaving her with Falconer as he’d escorted her about the castle, but I’d also
needed to talk to Jotham and Seb. Unfortunately, speaking with them had led to
nowhere; they knew about as much as me.

Something wasn’t adding up here. How had the demons known
about Emma before me? Had someone betrayed us? Hell, I was suspicious of even
the Consulate. But then I’d been taught to protect her, to look for any threat,
be suspicious of everything. Perhaps it was just that…a reaction to my
training.

“Nice, but this time keep your elbow higher.” Josh strolled
the mat, his gaze pinned to Emma. They walked in a circle, facing each other
like dance partners. I frowned, annoyed. What were they doing?

Petunia suddenly appeared next to me, the slightest whisper
in the air indicating her arrival; I knew her energy well. “Josh is training
your Matchmaker?”

As if on cue, Emma smiled at Josh, a flirty, teasing smile,
a smile she’d never given me. A smile that made my gut clench. They were
certainly having a bloody grand time.

“No. Of course not, he knows better.”

Emma lifted her arm higher, the saber an extension of her
hand. She looked elegant, even though she wore jeans and a gray fitted T-shirt.
Then again, she could be wearing a burlap sack and my body would still react.

Josh merely looked like a cocky bastard in his white fencing
gear. “You ready?”

She nodded.

I frowned. Ready for what?

Josh moved forward.

Hell, the man couldn’t be serious? I shoved away from the
wall, my body stiff with outrage. Never had I even heard of another Protector
training, or even socializing, with a Matchmaker who wasn’t his.

“You sure?” Pet said. “Looks like he’s training her to me.”

Even as I realized how irrational my emotions were, I
couldn’t seem to stop the anger from coursing through my body.

“There you go,” Josh encouraged, swiping the sword toward
her, just barely missing Emma’s stomach. Good God, the woman was accident-prone
enough as it was; they didn’t need to bring weapons into the situation. My
anger grew. I didn’t know what the hell they were doing, but I’d had enough.

Hands fisted, I stalked toward them. “Josh,” I snapped.

Josh paused, obviously startled. “Owen, how are you? I was
just showing Emma some training moves.”

Of course he was, the bloody bastard. “Perhaps it would be
best to train your own Matchmaker.”

Josh’s smile grew tight. He was attracted to Emma; I could
see it in the way he stood, could see it in his gaze. His Matchmaker was a
woman in her nineties, and Emma was…well,
Emma.

He saluted me with his saber. “She asked for help, and I
obliged.”

“Maybe if I didn’t feel so ill-prepared,” Emma said, turning
an icy gaze toward me. “I wouldn’t have to ask for training.”

“It’s rude to train with another Protector,” Pet said. She
was coming to my defense, but it didn’t help. If anything, the flush in Emma’s
cheeks told me Pet’s interference had only made her angrier.

“And if your trainer is MIA? What does one do then?” Emma
snapped. “Sit around and wait for some freaking vampire to attack and pray for
the best?”

“You wish to train? Fine.” I shrugged off my jacket and
tossed it to the ground. With my gaze pinned to her, I rolled up the sleeves of
my white shirt. Why I was so furious, I wasn’t quite sure. Maybe because I’d
been busting my arse to keep her safe and instead of being grateful, she was
flirting with Josh. I turned my gaze to the man. “Josh, I’m sure you don’t
mind.”

Josh tossed me the foil. “Not at all.”

“You don’t have to do this, Owen,” Petunia whispered. “Come
on, let’s just go.”

She reached for my arm, but I brushed past her. For not the
first time in my life, I truly felt the urge to hit another man. Since coming
to the Consulate, I’d fought many times, but there had been no passion behind
it. The punches I threw had merely been part of the job. But now…hell, I felt
that scrawny street kid clawing his way to the surface. Josh must have sensed
my annoyance for he moved back, out of arm’s reach.

I tightened my grip around the hilt and lifted the foil.

“Try to keep up,” she said, her gaze hard and biting.

I bowed low, then lifted the sword. With her gaze pinned to
mine, she found her first stance. I knew in that moment she had fenced before.
I was surprised, when I shouldn’t have been. Nothing the woman did should have
surprised me anymore.

She advanced first, but then I knew she would. Yes, she was
impatient. It was yet another weakness. I easily counterstroked, forcing her
back a step. Her eyes took on a determined glint. Surprisingly, she spun around
and swiped wide, barely missing me. I lunged back just in time.

From the sidelines, Josh chuckled. “You’ve got a match all
right, Owen.”

Resisting the urge to curse at the man, I focused on Emma.
Her eyes were sparkling with determination and success. She thought she’d won.
I’d show her just how quickly the tide could turn.

I thrust toward her, but she came up to block the stroke,
and our swords clanged together. “Where did you learn?”

“Gym class. One semester.”

I stepped closer, closer, forcing her back toward the wall. One
semester my arse. She was good, but not as good as I was. I’d been fencing
since I was a child. She stumbled, lifting her sword to block my strike but I
didn’t relent. I forced her back until she hit the wall. The surprise upon her
face was priceless. She lifted her sword, our blades clashing. Closer, I
stepped, those crossed blades the only thing standing between us. So close, my
breath stirred the loose tendrils around her flushed face.

“It would be wrong to underestimate me, Emma,” I said
softly, just loud enough for her to hear.

She didn’t respond. I’d finally left her speechless, and for
one long moment I merely stared at her, savoring the moment. Forgotten was the
room, Josh, Petunia, and our argument. Only we existed, the emotion and heat
between us.

“Well done,” Josh called out, interrupting. “Well done,
indeed.”

I stepped back. Emma remained pinned to the wall, a look of
confusion in her eyes. She felt the emotions, everything I felt, and she
understood it as little as I did. I turned and tossed the foil to Josh, who
caught it easily.

“Shall we, Emma?” Josh said. “I promise to go much easier on
you.”

I didn’t wait to hear her response, but started across the
room, leaving behind my jacket and my ward. I couldn’t stand there and watch
them flirt; I might actually have to hurt Josh. I heard their swords clang
together, knew they would continue to practice. I was easily forgotten as she’d
moved on to her next victim.

“You showed her,” Petunia said with a grin. She’d picked up
my coat and stood there holding it out, daring me to take it. She was right,
I’d won, but I no longer felt any sense of victory. I started to reach for the
jacket when a sudden sharp pain ripped across my bicep.

I stumbled.

Emma. She’d been hurt.

“Owen?” Pet frowned. “You okay?”

In a blink I disappeared. The world went black for a moment.
Then light burst to life as I reappeared on the mat, directly in front of Emma.

“Owen?” Her wide gaze found me. “Tell me you didn’t just
appear out of thin air.”

I ignored her question and focused on her arm that she was
cradling to her chest. The brief sting I’d experienced was gone. But it was
obvious her pain wasn’t. “What happened?”

“You can teletransport?” she demanded.

“Emma, you’re hurt. Can we please focus on that for a
moment?” I glanced behind her to see Josh standing there, looking pale and
unsure, a fencing sword in hand.

“What the hell happened?”

“I…I was just trying to help.”

Idiot.
“Damn it,
Emma.”

I latched on to the sleeve of her shirt and yanked it up. A
red line marked her perfect pale skin. Blood dripped down her forearm and
splattered to the mat. The sight made me sick, and angry. My hands trembled as
I rested my fingers on her arm.

“I’m fine. It’s just a small cut.”

“A small cut? So small that I felt the sting all the way
across the room?”

“Owen,” Petunia said, pausing beside us. “You felt her
pain?”

I didn’t respond. It was none of her damn business.

“It’s fine,” Emma said. “It’s no big deal.”

I hadn’t meant to admit I could feel her pain, but the words
had slipped out. Hell, I didn’t need Petunia uncovering the bond I had with
Emma. “When you put your life in danger, you’re not the only one who could get
hurt.”

“Of course.” She pushed me away and shoved the sleeve back
down. She looked upset, although why, I wasn’t sure. Damn, I wished I could
read her thoughts.

“Can you heal her?” Josh asked.

“We aren’t supposed to,” Pet said, annoyed. “Not with minor
things, you know that.”

“I don’t need him to heal me,” Emma snapped. She spun around
on her sneakers and started for the door. “It’s a little scratch. It will
heal.”

She slammed the door behind her.

“I’m sorry, Owen,” Josh said. “She begged me to train her.
Said if she had to be stuck here, she should at least know how to protect
herself.”

Yes, right. I knew it was more than that. Josh couldn’t
resist a pretty girl. I glanced at the door where she’d disappeared. Besides,
Emma would never beg anyone for anything. “She’s angry.”

“She’ll be fine,” Petunia said.

Josh laughed. “Well, yeah, she’s angry. You basically said
the only reason you don’t want her injured is because you don’t want to feel
her pain, not because you actually care.”

I flushed, annoyed. “I didn’t.”

Josh shrugged. “Women are difficult, Owen. I forgot that you
didn’t have much of a childhood.” Josh placed the foil in the bag. He hadn’t
been found until he was eighteen. He’d had a childhood. I had been ten. I knew
I couldn’t read humans well, especially females, but I sure as hell wouldn’t
admit as much to Josh.

“Just apologize. Believe me, it’s the easiest way.”

“Why should he?” Pet pouted, crossing her arms over her
chest. “He didn’t do anything wrong.”

Ignoring them, I disappeared. We couldn’t go on this way; I
had to make peace with Emma. I reappeared in Emma’s bedroom.

“Crap!” Emma cried out. I turned to face her. She was
clutching a robe to her body. I had the sinking feeling she wasn’t wearing much
behind that robe. “Dang it, Owen. You can’t just appear in my bedroom. Ever
heard of boundaries?”

“I didn’t mean…” I paused, rubbing the back of my neck, not
sure what to say, afraid I’d make things worse.

She sighed and quickly pulled her robe on, giving me a flash
of a camisole and pink underwear. “Just forget it. Leave me alone.”

How I wished I could. But I couldn’t. I was stuck with her,
stuck with the feelings she produced. “I didn’t mean that I don’t want you to
get hurt.”

“I know,” she said, tightening the belt of her robe.

“No.” I raked my fingers through my hair. I might not have
known much, but I knew women were bloody difficult. You couldn’t just say what
you meant, because somehow they always took offense. “I mean I don’t want you
to get hurt because I don’t want to hurt.”

Her brows drew together. “What?”

Hell. I wasn’t even sure what I was trying to say anymore.
“I don’t want you hurt because I care, okay?”

The surprise upon her face quickly fled. A slow smile spread
across her lips. More of a smirk, really. I had to resist the urge to step
back. “Owen, are you saying you like me?”

I frowned.

Her grin widened.

I crossed my arms over my chest. “Perhaps at times I don’t
dislike you.”

She quirked a brow and crossed her arms, matching my stance.

“I’m your Protector,” I started. “It’s my duty…”

She rolled her eyes.

I nodded toward the bed. “Just lie down.”

“Wow, you expect a lot for a compliment.”

I frowned. It was her way of dealing with her emotions, to
joke. At times it was useful, but sometimes, like now, I wished she’d be
serious and own up to her feelings. “I want to heal you.”

“No.” She shook her head. Her grip on the robe tightened. “I
won’t have you take my pain. It’s not right.”

Not right? What did this have to do with right or wrong? It
was a job. My other Matchmaker hadn’t cared. “The blood’s already soaking
through your sleeve. You need to be in good health, Emma. It’s my job to make
sure—”

She threw her arms wide. “Enough with the job thing
already!”

I grew silent, waiting. What was the real issue here? I knew
her reluctance was more than ethics. I also knew if I pushed her, she’d close
up like a clam.

She paced to the large windows that looked out onto the city
below, framed by billowy white curtains. She’d been placed in one of the better
rooms. Large and spacious, it was decorated in various shades of white. Antique
furniture, a typical French elegance. She belonged here, but she didn’t even
realize it. She had no idea how beautiful she was, no idea how intriguing.