Page 24 of Women Love Wraiths

“Yeah, I think so. I’m sure Rae didn’t spare him like she didn’t spare the asshole who attacked me a month ago.”

Jenna’s head whipped back to me. “Rae? You mean that?” She pointed in the direction where Rae quietly floated, her hood still fixed firmly in place. She was as she had been until she revealed herself to me. Just a shrouded figure. “It has a name? What is it, Jade?”

It was my turn to explain. “Remember when I told you I met someone? And that they weren’t human?” I asked, lowering my voice, irrationally hoping that would keep her from freaking out. “That someone is Rae. She’s a wraith. She saved me from the fucker who caught me out here before. She took care of him just like she did Alex.”

She stared at Rae in disbelief, her voice coming in a whisper that matched mine. “You weren’t lying. Still doesn’t excuse you blowing me off, though.”

“Yeah, about that. I’m sorry, Jen. I shouldn’t have canceled on you. I didn’t know things were this bad with Alex. I thought it was a lack of attention or something. I didn’t know he was actually hurting you. I'm a shitty friend for not being there for you.”

Jenna studied her hands. “It's okay. It wasn’t like this until now. Before it was just yelling.” Her head snapped up. “Wait, you said she? How do you know it’s a she?” She slapped a hand over her mouth realizing what she said might’ve come off rude. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to put it that way, but what does she look like?”

I looked over to Rae and she slowly drew her gray hands up and pushed down her hood. Her black hair framed her cracked face and her expression was indifferent. She looked like a statue when she wasn’t moving.

A harsh intake of breath drew my attention back to Jenna. “She’s beautiful,” she said in awe.

Quickly glancing back over my shoulder at Rae, I agreed. “Yeah, she is.”

Jenna turned back to me after a few minutes of taking in the unworldly goddess that was my girlfriend. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have acted the way I did. I promise I’ll be better. I was a cunt.”

I scoffed. “I deserved it for blowing you off. I’m sorry, too. The only requirement I have for you is no more fucking cocksucker boyfriends.”

Jenna chuckled softly. “You’re right. He was a jealous homophobe anyway. Maybe I should try going back to dating women. I think I’ll stick to humans, though.”

I laughed and I heard Rae’s audible smirk behind me. “That’s okay. I’ve already called dibs on the wraith.”

Epilogue

“Ouch! Your knee is in my stomach,” Jenna groaned. “Honestly, why are we all squeezed onto the couch when that thing can fly?”

I giggled, squished between Rae and Jenna on my somewhat small couch. It could fit three people comfortably when they were sitting like normal, but we’d been piled up watching a movie. Jenna shifted more before getting to her feet.

“I’m leaving anyway. I have to work tomorrow. You two have fun doing supernatural shit or whatever you do.” Jenna laughed.

I flipped her off as she grabbed her purse and walked out my front door. Settling back against Rae, I sighed as her cold arm came back around to rest on my stomach.

Jenna finally came around to Rae and in the months since Alex’s death, our friendship was stronger than ever. She was taking time for herself instead of launching into another relationship like usual. I was proud of the work she was doing to love herself before trying to love someone else, and I was there to support her throughout it all.

“Thank you for enduring a movie tonight for me,” I said in the dim living room. “Even though you zone out, I still like being with you and Jen at the same time.”

Rae’s hand drifted from my stomach to my side to entwine her fingers in mine. “Anything for you, flame. I can bear it every now and then despite the dreadful sounds and light if it means you’re happy.”

My heart swelled with love for her. A thought flitted across my mind and I remembered my surprise. I shot up from her grasp. “Oh! I forgot something. Come to the guest room with me.”

Bounding off the couch, I led the way to my painting room. Rae floated after me and I threw a sheet over my easel as she passed through the doorway. Turning to her, I clasped my hands over my chest.

“Guess what?” I asked, wanting to play the silly guessing game with her.

She tilted her head in confusion.

“You try to guess what I have to show you.”

She looked around the room. “Since we’re in your studio, I’m guessing it has something to do with your paintings?”

I scrunched my nose. “Yes, but what about my paintings?”

“You painted yourself naked for me?” she joked.

A laugh burst from my chest. “No, silly. Although, that would be a magnificent idea. Try again.”