Page 43 of Out of Sight

Ted crossed her arms over her chest. “I remain unconvinced.”

Ormyet nodded. “I will have to work at convincing you once we have advanced our association.”

“Yeah, that is going to be a hard sell.”

He grinned. “You have no idea.”

She felt her face heat again and turned back to her Nanna. “So, Nanna, what are we going to do for Lucia?”

Anya paused. “What do you mean?”

“Her family not only moved on without her, but her new sisters-in-law look irritated by her existence.”

Anya sighed. “Yes, well, her parents are very good at spoiling them. It was never something that was extended to her when she was young, so this must be painful for her.”

Ted glared at her aunt and uncle. “Yeah, I remember that. She got quiet because no one ever paid attention to her. Everyone was on omega watch, and none of them showed up in the bloodline. I liked hanging out with her because when I was with her, everyone stopped looking. Her aura repelled family attention.”

Anya sighed. “I am going to speak with her grandfather. Her trust is probably gone, but if it is retrievable, I would like him to find it.”

“Ask Lucia. If the money is there, she can locate it.”

Anya smiled. “I want family to do something for her. I am going to begin handing out assignments. That includes helping her with her clothing. Is that dress really all that she has?”

“Yup. It was on the statue when it was sculpted. I was impressed. The images of her were her in bulky shirts and baggy jeans at events where the women were instructed to wear gowns. Somehow, no one ever told her or helped her so she would fit in.” Ted sighed. “Even I had dresses, and I fucking hated them. My parents tried to help me fit in, and hers didn’t seem to extend themselves into caring about their dorky little girl.”

Anya sighed. “She just didn’t seem interested in family events.”

“She spent every event making food. She wasn’t allowed interest in family events.”

Anya blinked away tears. “I am remembering, but she is coming back far more slowly than you did.”

“Because the family erased her first. Their minds already turned away from her and faded her to nothing. It was easy for them to take her and hide her. As she stated, no one was looking. Even me. I forgot all about her. That is a deadly fucking curse.” She flicked her braids over her shoulder before she rubbed her eyes.

Ormyet asked softly, “How many others do you think were cursed?”

“I can only feel one other. She’s strong, so it was recent.”

Her phone pinged, and Ted smiled as she left. I have already told Regis about her. They are looking for her now.

She chuckled. “Okay, just a note. Lucia is listening.”

Another ping. Through the phones. I guess I am the cellphone mage. Hah!

“You don’t mind us discussing you?”

Hurts less than being there and seeing all the blank and guilty faces. You always were better with the family. I never knew how to start.

“Go take a hot soak, Lucia.”

Rolling giggling emojis ran across the screen.

Anya smiled. “She is happy?”

“She is relaxed. I don’t know about happy. But she’s slightly unstable from her time alone. Her conversation is like talking with someone three drinks in. Lots of enthusiasm and a hefty dose of aggression.” The gif of a tongue flapping in an epic raspberry filled her phone screen. Ted chuckled.

Anya smiled. “She seems to be in good spirits.”

“She has a body for the first time in six years. She doesn’t have to fight to hold herself together. It’s like pushing against a wall that suddenly isn’t there, for years.”