Crux by Julie Reece

It’s my fault he knows about the quest. Selfishness took over, so I could pretend someone cared about what happened to me. Now I’m in over my head, and so is he, thanks to my stupidity.
    “No,” Jeff answers matter-of-factly. “Obviously, the situation improves if the two work well together. On the other hand, romance is forbidden between Guardian and Wielder. Emotion clouds judgment. Goals change on the battlefield. People die for each other instead of the quest, and the mission fails. It’s happened before.”
    I curse the tears welling behind my eyes, revealing a weakness I’d rather keep hidden. “Grey, please, I’m begging you, don’t do this.”
    Jeff crosses his arms, giving me a stern look.
    Grey reaches out and touches my face. His eyes warm as his thumb runs the line of my cheekbone.
    My heart twists in my chest when I think about his perfect life in danger, and that I’m responsible. I remember Shondra, and the tears fall. “I’m not … I can’t …” The words stick in my throat like shards of glass.
    He smiles at me with an expression of sheer confidence. “ We can.”
    • • •
    I glance at the time on my cell phone: 6:30. Grey is picking me up any minute, and my nerves are screaming. I stand in the bathroom in my black, Prada techno dress and boots. I’ve been pretty frugal with Jeff’s money—except when it comes to clothes. The dress I’m wearing, for instance, Mrs. Darcy would so love this outfit.
    Arms outstretched, I move around like a horror movie zombie and worry my nervous sweating will stain this dress like the three others I’ve discarded on my bed. My legs look so skinny. Maybe it’s the tights. Too much black? I’m on the verge of taking them off when the doorbell rings.
    I pass my worthless dog stretched out on the sofa. Not a peep out of him. I’m still trying to figure out why Jeff suggested I keep him for protection as I open the door.
    Grey stands in the hall wearing dark jeans, a crisp white shirt, and navy corduroy jacket. Why wasn’t he born ugly or smelling bad? The fact he’s so hot just makes my decisions even harder.
    One side of Grey’s mouth pulls up. His eyelids lower slightly over smoldering eyes. .
    I snap my mouth shut when I realize its hanging open.
    “Mmm, thanks, you look nice, too.”
    I hate you.
    “So, you ready?” He steps into the room and closes the door behind him. “There’s no rush. My mom said anytime after seven, so we have a few minutes.”
    “Hang on a sec. I just need to get my purse. You want to sit? I’ll be right back.” I disappear into the bathroom and throw a couple items in my clutch. Back in the living room, I stare down at my escort who lounges on the couch with my dog. “Grey, maybe this isn’t such a good idea. Truthfully, I feel like I’m crashing. I won’t exactly know anyone there. What if your parents think I’m a—”
    “How can you be crashing if I invited you?” He stops petting the dog and leans toward me. “And, why are you so freaked out? They’re not going to bite or anything.” He smiles. “Scud might, but let me worry about him. I’ll protect you. That’s my job now anyway, right?”
    “About that …”
    “What about that?” His look suggests I might be cheating him at cards.
    “Never mind, let’s talk about it later.” I turn and head toward the bathroom again. I glance back over my shoulder and find he’s watching me. He shrugs and smiles. My cheeks light on fire as I face front and keep walking.
    “Was your family cool with you spending Thanksgiving with us?” he calls after me. “My mom goes all out for the holidays. We do the turkey and sides most people do, I guess. What about yours?”
    “Oh, holidays were always a little bit different,” I answer. “But I was all about the food, however it was served.”
    “Was?”
    “Oh, uh, yeah.” I wrap both arms around my waist. “I … I don’t have any family around anymore, remember? I told you.”
    “Oh, yeah, but I