The Vaga Read Free

other than to be who you are. Do you understand that, Ellie?’ He reaches across the table and places his warm hand on mine. ‘You are Elena Cole—a kind, smart, strong, loyal, and courageous young woman. Always remember that.’
    He waits for my silent acknowledgement before he pulls his hand back and looks off across the courtyard, taking in the faces of those milling about with newfound suspicion.
    Magi growls low in her throat.
    ‘What is it, girl?’ I ask.
    ‘I think you have company,’ Uncle Jo says, moving his hands subtly to the back of his pants.
    Across the courtyard Blake comes walking towards us. His tanned skin glistens in the midday sun, the light bouncing off his muscular legs. His smile widens as I make eye contact.
    Oh crap
!
    ‘Will you put that away,’ I hiss, knowing Uncle Jo has his hand firmly wrapped around the hilt of his dagger.
    He gives me a tight-lipped stare before slowly sheathing it.
    Magi gets up on all fours and positions herself in front of me.
    Exasperated I say, ‘Oh for the love of Pete, will you two stop. He isn’t here to hurt me.’ I stand up as he nears.
    ‘Is that his name? Pete?’ Uncle Jo asks, watching Blake’s every step with wariness.
    ‘What?! No…ugh, please just be normal alright? For me, just once, can we all just not act like…like...’
    ‘Hi, Ellie.’ The way my name rolls off his velvety voice causes me to flush.
    ‘Hi, Blake. How’s training going?’ I manage to ask, my hands automatically going into my pockets to hide the fact that they’ve just broken out in a nervous sweat.
    He smiles. ‘Well, it’s going. Not sure I’m as focused as I should be.’ His eyes lower to my lips.
    Oh geez
!
    Magi takes a step towards him. Telepathy with a dog has its pitfalls, especially when the opposite sex is involved.
    ‘She still doesn’t like me, hey?’ he says, making sure to keep just enough distance to keep Magi happy.
    ‘She’s just…protective is all.’ I pat Magi’s head and silently tell her to back off.
    Uncle Jo clears his throat. I don’t miss the cue.
    ‘Oh, sorry. Blake, this is my uncle, Jo Olsen.’
    Blake holds out his hand. ‘Nice to meet you, sir.’ There is an awkward pause before Uncle Jo grabs his hand.
    They are well matched in size, but I see Blake’s arm falter slightly under the pressure of my uncle’s strong grip. The corner of Uncle Jo’s mouth curls upwards.
    I roll my eyes. ‘So, are you guys getting ready for the game on Saturday?’
    Blake’s brown eyes twinkle. ‘Are you coming?’ he asks a little too enthusiastically.
    I glance quickly at Uncle Jo, noticing that his temples are pulsating. ‘Uh, maybe. I’m not sure what we’re doing yet. Sounds like it should be a good game though.’
    ‘Yeah, we need the win to make it to the finals, so it should be a close game.’ He pauses, his eyes roaming over my face with interest. ‘Anyway, I didn’t want to interrupt you and your uncle over here. Just wanted to say hi, that’s all.’
    ‘Oh, well that’s okay. Um…I might see you at the game then.’
    He lowers his gaze and nods his head, knowing that I probably won’t be there, as I never turn up to these things. My lifetime commitment of staying under the radar has become the norm among any and all social situations.
    ‘That would be great.’ He gives me a hopeful look before saying, ‘Nice to meet you, Mr. Olsen.’
    ‘You too, Blake,’ Uncle Jo replies, lowering his voice just enough to come across as the alpha male.
    I cringe at my uncle’s behaviour.
    ‘Bye, Ellie,’ Blake says quietly as he brushes past me, flashing me another sexy smile.
    My stomach does a flip. ‘Bye,’ I say, my voice a little shaky. What is wrong with me?
Get it together
.
    When Blake is out of sight Uncle Jo folds his arms in my direction. ‘What was that?’
    ‘What?’ I answer defensively.
    ‘Oh, you mean the sexy guy who’s hot for Ellie?’ Phoebe squawks so loud the entire cafe can hear her.
    Where the