Make Me A Match (The Matchmaker) Read online

  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 suppos
ed 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.”

  Chapter 13

  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 he
ar 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.”