She’s quiet for a long while, and I mentally urge her to give in. “Count,” she finally says.
“Okay. Close your eyes.” I step towards the door. “No peeking.”
“Wait,” she calls out, halting my progress. “You can’t go outside my room.”
“Why not?”
“Because...” She’s preparing an argument, but I don’t let her.
“I’m hiding now. Close your eyes and count.” I don’t stick around to let her talk herself out of it. I stand in the hallway and listen to see if she’s going to do it. When I hear her start counting, I start moving. I walk down the hallway, trying to take into account her chair while I search for a hiding spot.
“I’m coming.”
I quickly dart into the next open doorway, which just sohappens to be Rauk’s room. I curse myself but move through the room quickly. I head towards his bathroom but stop at the last moment, not knowing if she’d be able to maneuver in there easily. Knowing I’m running out of time, I race over to his bed. I hear the wheels on her chair getting closer, and I race to the other side of his bed and drop to the floor. The end table and bed hide me from view unless she comes over to this side. I hold my breath when I hear her wheel into the room, but then she leaves. I blow out a breath and wait for her to come back. While she searches, my mind races over everything I’ve learned in the past few minutes. I reach out to Redara.Did you know Rauk has a sister?
I do,she responds.
I scowl.That would have been good to know; thanks for sharing.
There are lots of things I’ve learned. If I dumped them all on you at once, you’d be overwhelmed.
My scowl increases, but I don’t know what to say in response to her words.Maybe let me decide next time.
My apologies. I will not keep pertinent information to myself.
My ire fades.Thank you.
You are doing well?
I am,I send back.
You?
I am well.
Good. I’m currently playing hide and seek with Rauk’s sister.
I thought she stayed hidden.
Not anymore.
You risk angering Noxlyn’s bonded.
Oh, I know.
I feel her humor.Let me know if you need me when you face him.
Oh, I’ll manage him just fine.
“Found you!” Auri’s voice makes me jump.
I stand to my feet. “All right. I’ll count; you go hide.”
She crosses her arms over her chest. “That’s not fair; I can’t hide in this thing.”
“Sure, you can.” She gives me a look, but I hold my ground. “You can if you really want to. Now, I’m going to your room to count.” I don’t leave her a chance to object. When I get to her room, I start counting loudly. “One, two, three...” I stop counting at fifty and don’t hear anything. Taking that as a good sign, I step into the hallway. I stop suddenly when I see her sitting just outside the room.
“This is a child’s game. I don’t want to play anymore.”
