That’s not creepy at all.
Finishing my frigid but unhelpful shower, I frown when I notice the open chest at the end of my bed. It’s now filled with fighting clothes, weapons, and a few dresses. There are even a few sweaters from my realm and an extra blanket.
I almost squeal at the sight.
I’m entering my clean-girl era.
Freshly dressed in leggings and a cozy sweater, I make my way down the corridor, looking for the others. I feel bad for worrying them yesterday. I know they were trying to help. And while Rosie didn’t say a word this morning, will Damien and Magnus be more vocal? Will they be mad? Or even worse, will they give me covert pitying glances?Either way, I’m already worked up about how embarrassing it will be to see them.
And who knows if Sin is going to be in his usual bad cop kidnapper mood or if he’s going to play nice. The guy is giving off some Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde vibes.
I’m crossing my fingers for jerk-face Sin.
Voices filter down into the hallway, and unsurprisingly, I follow them to the dining hall. I’m just going to quietly assume this is where they hang out when they’re not working.
There’s a full house tonight, crowded around the table. Sin, Rosie, Magnus and Damien are all at their usual spots, and my chair is empty. But at the head of the table, opposite Sin, there’s someone new.
She’s tall and willowy, with dark skin that contrasts her long silver hair. Her hair frames an oval-shaped face in tight ringlets. She turns to me, and I swallow, trying not to focus on her opaque black eyes.
The woman smiles knowingly at me. “Hello, Vivian.”
Clearing my throat, I move to my own chair and take a seat. I don’t need to ask who this woman is. I already know.
“Hello, Morgana,” I answer, willing my pulse to take a chill pill.
One of her eyebrows twitches up, but she doesn’t correct me.
“It’s good to see you up and healthy. My informants mentioned you were injured when you arrived. I trust you’ve found your accommodations satisfactory?”
She’s sounding a lot like a politician, the way she’s dancing around the whole kidnapping business. That’s not promising.
Still, I give her a tight smile. “It’s been very nice, thank you.”
I have no desire to get on this woman’s bad side. Especially considering I’m hoping she won’t kick me out of her realm and send me back to Leon.
Which begs the question, how do you ask a stranger if you can live with them without sounding weird? I was not prepared for this. I should have thought to write a speech or make cue cards. My inner organized, socially awkward goddess panics.
Rosie turns to me and mouths a quick ‘thank you’ before looking back at Morgana. “Like I was telling you, Morgana, Vivian thinks she might want to stay here longer than anticipated. That’s not a problem, is it? She’s a valuable addition to our team. She saved my life this morning.”
Bless Rosie’s soul.
Magnus and Damien look thrilled at the question, while Sin just looks bored. There’s a charged energy in the air, though, and the way the others look between me and Morgana, it’s like they’re waiting for a show to start.
I can’t imagine why. I’m not prone to theatrics. Except for the time I threw a knife at Sin.
Or the time I threw a book at him.
Or the time I yelled at him.
Respectfully, though, he deserved it.
“Our little enigma has finally decided she doesn’t want to leave,” Magnus notes before Morgana cananswer. “How positively delightful. I look forward to continuing to spend time together,” he finishes with a seductive tone.
Damien winks at me. “He means WE look forward to spending more time together.”
I flush, trying to think of something clever to answer. But a loud crack from beside me distracts me from their comments. I look at Sin questioningly, only to find him flexing his hands. He’s back to looking murderous.
Before I can comment on whether supernatural creatures are at risk of arthritis, Morgana answers Rosie, “I have no issue with you staying as long as you’d like, Vivian. But I believe you should make an informed decision. There are things you don’t know that may weigh heavily into your decision to stay with us.”
