Piece of Tail by Celia Kyle

heart and then conspired against her and if I didn't have an agreement with the human President, you would both be dead, were-blood in your veins or not, Patrick descendant of Bastet.” The were's eyes glowed in the dimly lit room. “Perhaps, she hasn't been found because she doesn't wish to be.” Sekhmet turned away from them and her message hit him like a ton of bricks.
    " What? "
    She sighed and turned around. “People, especially humans, don't usually question someone who is written into the history books as a goddess. Do mind your manners."
    He cleared his throat. “I…” he finished speaking through grinding teeth, “apologize."
    She nodded in acceptance.
    "If you could be so kind as to explain how she has come to believe that we—"
    "Not we, you,” Sekhmet pointed out.
    "Right. How can she believe that I set her up?"
    Sekhmet strolled forward and stopped in a soft beam of light. He had to admit, if he didn't want to choke her to death, she would have been beautiful to him. Long, silky black hair, softly angled, green eyes and smooth curves from head to foot. She wasn't Gina, but she wasn't a dog, either. “Your home smelled of dog."
    He snorted. “We own a dog."
    She shook her head. “No, you had a Marauder in your home, a friend of yours. The only conclusion that I, as well as Gina and her friends, could draw was that you'd set her up to be outed and subsequently captured. She has disappeared and you should consider her dead, as she considers you both."

Chapter Ten
     
    A cool breeze filtered through the trees, ruffling the leaves. Autumn had pushed through, turning the naturally green leaves shades of gold and brown. Gina loved this time of year. Cool weather and beautiful scenery always lifted her spirits and this season was no different; especially since her mood needed to be lifted.
    The screen door creaked and groaned. Gina didn't raise her head from its position. She kept it tilted back, resting on the comfy porch swing as she rocked back and forth. Her rhythm was disrupted for a moment as Ryan joined her. No words were exchanged. He simply pulled her legs into his lap and started working on her feet.
    His large hands rubbed and soothed her aching feet. After leaving Daniel and Patrick at their townhouse two months ago, she'd gone to Half-were House. Tasheka tore into her the moment she stepped across the threshold, as she'd anticipated. Meg and her mate Ben had tried to save her from Tash's tirade, but the were wasn't deterred. Not until Ryan stepped in on her behalf did Tasheka calm down.
    After hours of cussing and discussing, a decision was made. Ryan was willing to allow Gina to stay with him. The small town he lived in with Meg and Ben seemed like the perfect place to recover from all that had happened. From being sold out by a man she lo… cared for, to being nearly thrown out of yet another home, she needed a safe place to collect her thoughts. Meg's Valley was that place. Ryan offered to sponsor her in the community and off she went, her meager belongings in tow. Now, she had a waitressing job at a local diner and worked most days. And her nights… Her nights were spent mostly alone except for these quiet times with Ryan, swinging on the swing as the sun lowered in the sky. As a punishment for her behavior, it wasn't too bad. Being in a city of mostly weres , it wasn't like she could shock the town's residents. Much.
    But, she really missed Half-were house, as surprising as it sounded. She missed the honking horns of rush hour traffic and the all-you-could-eat Chinese buffet that she always went to during the week. And the hotdog vendor on the corner of 5th and Vine. And the pretzel guy. And the bright lights of the city at night and… her friends. She really missed her friends. All she had here in Bodunkville were cows and…
    "It's getting cool out."
    Gina snuggled into the corner of the swing and stretched her legs with a sigh. “Yeah."
    "It's been a few days, Gi."
    Tears stung her