“The real bait is the artifact, though, right?” I spoke up.
“I suppose you’re right.” Kadin smiled. Only when his thoughts proved in line with his words did I smile back.
Their excitement was contagious.
They plotted all through the afternoon and into the evening, with a few card games mixed in.
When the heat of the day cooled, we moved up to the roof. Sitting in the night breeze, full of good food, I lounged in a chair and watched the sun set over the ocean, almost happy.
Except when I thought of my father.
The men had stopped worrying about me unless I asked questions, so I’d grown quiet, content to listen. Mostly, they forgot to think of me altogether, except for Bosh.
I think I’m in love,the thought floated to me out of nowhere.
I avoided his gaze, though I didn’t think he knew he was staring.
I’ve found the girl I want to marry. I wonder if she’d dance with me at Summer’s Eve...
“Bosh, focus,” Kadin chastised him when he caught the young man gawking.
Bosh turned away, probably thinking about his embarrassment now.
I sighed softly, and Kadin frowned. He didn’t miss a thing. I’d need to be careful of that.
I leaned my head against the chair, letting my eyes slide shut. But they flew open seconds later as Kadin thought,She’s tired.
“Come with me.” He stood, leading me back inside and downstairs. “I’ll show you to your room.”
I followed him down the hall, trailing a finger along the brightly colored walls, watching paint peel off under my touch. Their clothes spoke of wealth, but this dwelling was falling apart, and the furniture was sparse. “How long did you say you’ve been here?” I asked Kadin as we stepped into the bedroom at the far end.
“I didn’t,” was all he said in response.
Not long then. I was bursting with questions, but I decided to wait. I could pick up more by being invisible than by asking him anything.
Kadin busied himself picking up someone’s pack, stuffing clothes and miscellaneous items lying around the room inside. “This’ll be your room while you’re working for us.”
“Working with you,” I corrected him.
No reaction.
He finished filling the pack as I moved toward the rickety bed, eyeing the blankets.This isn’t the time to be picky. After two days of barely eating or sleeping, the warm food in my belly had me swaying on my feet. “Wait... Is this your room?”
“No,” Kadin said. “It’s your room.” Which I took to mean yes, it had been. He carried his pack toward the door. “Rest. There’ll be time to plan more tomorrow.”
I nodded and he closed the door.
Why did I trust him?His thoughts were comforting, but some men were just better at hiding their feelings and plans...
I shrugged as I dropped onto the shaky bed. I’d be more careful when I woke up. Now I needed to listen to my body, which was begging for rest. Curling up, I barely even noticed the rough blankets and lumps in the mattress as I drifted off to sleep.
