Page 117 of The Sinner's Bargain

Thoran pulled me to a nearby chair and knelt in front of me.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered to Thoran.

Ivelle hurried in then and pressed the first aid kit into Thoran’s hands.

“What did I tell you about that word, sweetheart?” He set the kit down on the floor next to his knee and flipped it open.

The high chatter I’d mistaken for my own thoughts rose in volume and ferocity. I realized a moment later the sound was the redhead wailing while clutching her throat as if I’d cut her open.

Had I?

I didn’t think I got her that badly.

Maybe I had. Maybe she would need stitches.

I hoped so.

“Blue?” Thoran touched my face, drawing me back. “What did they say to you, love?”

“What we said to her?” redhead shrieked. “We weren’t even talking to that—”

“Pick your next words very carefully, Mrs. Roberts,” Cyrus advised calmly. “My advice, stop talking entirely.”

Mrs. Roberts meshed thin lips together, but her defiance, her hatred blazed in her eyes. “She threatened me. Threatened my family. I don’t care who you are, but I will—”

“Jeannette!” cat glasses hissed before her friend could get herself killed.

“Listen to your friend, Mrs. Roberts,” Cyrus pressed evenly, but with the serrated edges of a dagger. “Get up. Get your things and leave. I’ll cover your bill.”

Her companions were already on their feet. Carpet bag had waved Macy over who didn’t hesitate rushing to her mother’s side. Cat glasses edged towards her smarter friend.

Jeannette struggled to her feet with her hand still covering her neck. “She’s unhinged. She put a knife to my throat and cut me. I want to call the Sheriff. I want her arrested.”

Thoran nodded without taking his eyes off the cloth he dampened with the water bottle Ivelle handed him. “Cyrus, you heard Mrs. Roberts. Call Handley and Mrs. Robert’s husband, her father-in-law, and her son.”

Jeannette froze. Her brown eyes widened. They flicked from Thoran to Cyrus, then back. “Why would you—?”

“Because they should be here, don’t you think? By your accounts, you were gravely injured.” Gently, he brought the rag to my injured hands. “They should be here to look after you, and since all three of them work for me, I feel inclined to speak to them personally.”

“Jeannette, let it go,” carpet bag stressed, shoving Macy towards the door.

“This is ridiculous,” Jeannette sputtered, but seemed less sure as her support system started out without her. “Typical!” she croaked before bolting after the pair as if the devil were trying to snatch her soul.

Then it was just the four of us.

“Please leave.” Thoran said to Ivelle.

Ivelle hesitated. Her green eyes drifted from me to Thoran, then back. “I can stay,” she told me softly. “I have a million things I need to do around here anyway. I’d be just in the back...”

I didn’t understand the statement or why she thought she had to stay on my account.

“I think she’s worried about you, sweetheart,” Thoran murmured, never raising his dark head.

I blinked. “Oh! I’m fine. Thank you, Ivelle.”

The other girl glanced at Thoran again. Lingered on Cyrus before facing me once more. “I basically live in this place so if you ever want to finish that tea ... I promise not to let the troll brigade in again.”

I offered her a weak smile. “Thank you, and I’m so sorry about the book.”

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