Zola's Pride Read Free Page A

one.

    Walker sat behind the dojo’s
small front desk and fielded another inquiry about class schedules
and rates. The phone had been ringing nonstop all morning, making it
clear just how successful a business Zola had built for herself.
    But she needed help. There was a
whole level between the ground studio and her apartment on the third
floor, a single cavernous room where clients worked out or sparred
between private lessons. Right now, it sat empty. Someone could be up
there teaching a second class. And if she had someone working the
desk—
    Knock it off, Gravois, he told himself firmly. It’s
her business, not yours.
    A particularly enthusiastic kiai drew his attention back to the floor, where Zola ran herd over a
dozen supernatural children. Most knelt in a ragged circle, fidgeting
with the abundant energy of youth, while one tiny wolf with bouncing
pigtails barreled through taikyoku
shodan so fast it looked
like a blur instead of a kata .
    Separate classes for humans and
supernaturals, another thing that had to complicate her scheduling.
She definitely needed help, and he had to remember that he was the
last person who should offer it.
    Zola murmured encouragement to the
girl as she corrected the position of her arms, then watched her
execute a few vigorous punches. “Better,” Zola said,
raising her voice. Her gaze caught Walker’s across the room,
and she smiled a little. “Up, all of you. Along the far wall.”
    One or two of the children groaned,
but they still formed a staggered line against the mirrors. Zola
moved to stand beside the desk and nodded. “Sprints. Thirty.
Boys, then girls, then boys, then girls. Go! ”
    The seven boys took off toward the
far wall, the shapeshifters outdistancing the one child who sparked
with magic instead of feral power. Zola turned her back on the
spectacle and switched to French. “I cancelled my afternoon
classes. When the little ones are gone, we’ll be able to
concentrate.”
    “ It’s a nice place,
Zola.”
    Pride shone in her eyes. “Yes.
My place. My home.”
    And he’d stumbled back into
it. Guilt raked at him, and he had to force a smile. What if her
involvement went beyond allowing him to use her contacts? If he’d
brought his fight to her...
    He’d never survive if his
mistakes hurt her.
    She read his turmoil in the fake
smile. “I wasn’t helpless, even as a girl. Whatever
comes, I’ll handle it.”
    He should have known he wouldn’t
be able to fool her. “You shouldn’t have to. That part’s
on me.”
    One dark eyebrow swept upwards. “You
think I need your protection?”
    Careful, Walker. “I think it’s my responsibility if I bring my trouble to
you.”
    “ Only if you’re better
at handling that trouble than I am.” She smiled in teasing
challenge as the doorbell jingled, announcing the arrival of the
first of the parents returning to retrieve their children. “Perhaps
we’ll see later.”
    Definitely a challenge. “You
looking to fight me?”
    “ Just a friendly sparring. I’m
sure we’ve both learned new tricks since the last time.”
    So many layers of meaning, even if
Walker was fairly certain she’d meant the words innocently.
“Can’t wait,” he murmured, lowering his gaze so she
wouldn’t see the awareness there.
    Zola slipped away to resume watch
over her charges, running them back and forth as more parents and
guardians arrived, until the front of the dojo was crowded. More than
one of the wolves cast curious glances his way, but no one approached
him, not even when Zola sent the last of her students stampeding
toward the exit.
    She closed the door and threw the
deadbolt. “The children are my favorite. They haven’t
learned to be afraid yet.”
    “ But they’re aware.”
They’d recognized him as out of place.
    “ New Orleans is safer. Not
safe.”
    Another thing that hadn’t
changed in the years he’d been gone. “My half-brother
still lives here.” Better to get that out there, to let
her think it had