Page 45 of A World Enough

“The Abnobians attacked Danus, and I managed to escape through a portal. A group of mercenaries followed me. Vampires, witches, others. Then as two of them had me cornered, this wolf”—Camber pointed to Brogan—“jumped out and eliminated them.”

Ziggy put her hand on her heart and said, “Thank you, Brogan. We need the Map Keeper.”

“Anyway, I left, and she insisted on following me. I landed through the portal at Oipra. I didn’t know if Brogan was a plant. They’ve tried that before, send someone to befriend me, and make me feel safe, and get me that way.”

“But all I wanted was a way home. After some negotiation,” Brogan said.

Camber jumped in. “That included more chasing, and a fight in a barn.”

Brogan watched as Camber actually laughed, and her heart pounded. Stop it. She made you feel like a fool in the lift.

“How did you get away from Oipra? There’s Drazani and Abnobians everywhere.”

Camber gave a half smile and wrinkled her nose in such a cute way, Brogan thought. She didn’t think she’d ever described another woman as cute before, but the feeling filled her chest with the warmest feelings.

Camber continued, “We got into their hangar, knocked out a couple of pilots, and stole their ship. Then contacted you.”

“Camber.” Ziggy laughed. “You never cease to amaze me. I’m glad you’re here, glad you are safe, and delighted to meet you, Brogan. I’ve not known wolves from beyond our realm.”

“My planet has paranormals from a lot of your different worlds, it seems.”

“Paranormal?” Ziggy said.

Camber replied, “The groups like wolves, vampires, witches, magi, shapeshifters aren’t out to the normal population on Brogan’s world.”

Ziggy took a swig of her drink. “It must be a strange realm.”

“We like it,” Brogan said sharply.

Ziggy held up her hand. “Please, I meant no disrespect. It’s just a different and interesting way of life.”

“Do your own people have any difference from the norm?” Brogan asked.

“No, I come from an unremarkable planet, quite a ways from here, that the Abnobians razed to the ground.”

Brogan shut her eyes as she felt her stomach drop. She’d really put her foot in it here. “Ziggy, I’m sorry.”

Ziggy smiled. “Don’t worry about it. You weren’t to know. I’m now a part of the resistance, but I try to keep on the outside so I can learn information from my guests, or people who pass through, and give it to Vorka’s people.”

Brogan cleared her throat, trying to appear more friendly. “You did help us out leaving Oipra. I thank you.”

“Not at all. I’m glad you were there to help my Camber. She’s like the little sister I never had.”

Camber smiled and lightly shoved Ziggy. “Shut up.”

“See?” Ziggy had a big beaming smile. “She even beats me up and abuses me like a sister.”

It was sweet to see Camber’s relaxed youthfulness come out. Brogan supposed Camber didn’t get to be off guard like this very often.

Ziggy clapped her hands together. “So, you’d like to stay and have some time to recuperate.”

“If you’ll have us. Just a night, because we need to rescue Vorka.”

Ziggy took her hand. “You will not help Vorka by giving Davor exactly what he wants—you. Other people in the resistance are helping with that. We need to keep you safe at all costs, Camber.”

Brogan had known Camber was special, from the first breath of her scent. But it turned out she was even more important to everybody, and Brogan knew she would protect her more than anything in the world—but then, she had to go home. Those two urges were contrary to each other.

“I suppose we could keep our heads down for a few days and maybe work on finding Brogan’s home on the map.”