Double fuck.
SEVEN
A TRICKY SORT
Vivian
“Well, isn’t this sweet?”
An unfamiliar voice drags me from my sleep.
Disoriented, I blink into the predawn light, my initial confusion quickly dissipating as the now-familiar scent of hay washes over me. Shifting slightly, my confusion returns upon the realization that my pillow appears far more comfortable than it should, given my predicament.
I freeze, blinking at what is obviously an open stall door, my gaze immediately drawn to the pair of legs standing within the doorway. I slowly lift my eyes up, careful not to move my head in the hopes that I won’t disturb my pillow.
At first, my gaze collides with a set of sparkling green eyes, the smug expression on her face gleeful. I then look to her companion, frowning slightly as I try to decipher if she’s an unusually small woman or if he is just a giant. I immediately see that the sharp contrast doesn’t end there. He’s peering around rather grumpily, but she elbows him in the side, and he turns his grumpy gaze onto her, the corners of his mouth turning up slightly, as he says something incoherent in response.
“Hey.” Her low whisper draws my attention back to her face, and I find her staring at me. And then she whispers, “Wanna pull a prank on Zion?”
My eyes narrow, obviously uncertain of her game here. Then I smile a bit, slowly working to extricate myself from the arm Zion has over my shoulder. I manage to slowly slide myself down until my head hits the hay beneath me. I wiggle away before carefully sitting up and then standing.
Then I stand there rather awkwardly until, finally, the woman motions for me to come closer. I hesitate briefly, but, having no other real option, I close the distance between us, stepping out of the stall and then turning back to face the door as she carefully slides it closed. She latches the door, reaches into her back pocket, and pulls out a padlock. She secures the padlock on the latch and then smiles proudly as I frown and say, “You just carry padlocks in your pockets?”
The man beside her laughs as he retorts, “Oh, you never know. Camilla is a regular bag of tricks here.”
She smiles brightly, obviously not at all offended by what could easily have been taken as a criticism. “I have found that one can never be too prepared.”
The man gives her a fond look as he replies, “You are pretty handy when you want to be.”
Her eyes widen, and somehow, her already bright smile brightens even further. “And handsy, right?”
She waggles her brows at him, and he raises his at her. “Come now, Camilla. We’re in mixed company.”
Camilla turns her eyes back to me, but her smile doesn’t falter. “I don’t know. She looks the sort to misbehave.”
Frowning, I laugh rather hollowly and then ask, “And who might you be?”
Camilla immediately sticks her hand out. “Camilla McDonough.”
Tentatively, I lift my hand to hers and then return her firm grip as she pumps our clasped hands up and down. I move to release her, but she holds my hand a bit more firmly, all humor falling from her features as she says, “Are you friend or foe?”
Now I raise my brows and blink between her and her companion and then back to her as I reply, “I think that depends on who you are.”
Camilla squints at me briefly and then nods toward the man beside her. “This is Kaian. Don’t let his general grumpy demeanor put you off. He’s really an old softie under his crusty exterior.”
Kaian’s lips twist briefly, and he shakes his head as he turns his serious gaze on me and responds, “No, I’m not. The crusty exterior is accurate.”
She gives me an impish smile, shaking her head as she mouths, “He’s lying.”
Kaian sighs deeply, his arms crossing over his chest as he gives her an affectionate, disgruntled look. Again, I look between them and then ask, “Are you two married or something?”
“No,” Camilla retorts just as Kaian says, “Not yet.”
Now, she gives him a dirty look, and his expression turns smug. They stare at each other for a few long moments, obviously having a silent discussion between them. I shake my head, muttering, “I’ve not gotten enough sleep for this.”
After one final glare, Camilla turns her attention back to me. “You’re stuck with me today.”
“What? Why?”
