Page 21 of Thief

“You think so?” She looks up.

Oh boy. “Yes. Absolutely.” I nod.

Commotion outside makes me sit up, feet firmly planted on the cold floor, in case I need to bolt. Horley flips on his belly, ears up, upper lip peeled back.

Veme walks to the window.

“What’s happening?” I ask, hoping whatever holographic illusion the Omega erected over the walls holds and blocks everyone outside from seeing her.

“They’re debating on what to do with us.”

“What…” I lick my dry lips and wipe sweat off my forehead. “What are the options?”

“Turn us in or kill us.”

“Or leave us alone until Eron comes back.”

“Shhh, child. You’re feistier than a Beta.” She tsks. “Not good.”

“Not good what? Me being feisty, or them downstairs?”

“Both.”

Someone knocks on the door again. “Veme, I’ve brought the tea and your herbal bag.”

Veme turns toward the door, eyes narrowed. “Indle, is that you?”

“Yes, it’s me.”

Horley rattles a low, deep sound and jumps off the bed. He lands before my chair, spins in circles a bit, then groans as he sits his big ass at my feet, eyes on the door, ears up, nose wiggling, the rattle from his chest creepy as hell.

Eron’s mother pauses before opening the door, her gaze on the hound. “Ah, I see," she says. Then, “Come in, dear.”

Indle walks inside. She wears a pretty yellow sundress and a big smile that drops the moment she spots the hound but not for long. The smile is back when she looks at me. “Hi there,” she says.

“Hi.”

She curtsies. “I’m Indle.”

“Kate.”

“Ka-te. Like the candy.”

Veme opens the back roof-patio doors and walks outside. “Join me, Indle.”

The Beta female joins her and puts the tray down on the side table. She picks up a serving and gives it to Veme.

“Thank you,” Veme says and accepts the tea. “There are extra cups over there.” She points. “Would you get one for yourself?”

The Beta curtsies and does as asked. The moment she turns, Veme puts her tea down and spins the tray around. Weird, but okay. The Beta returns and pours herself a cup, then brings me one. I watch Veme spin the tray again. What the hell is this woman doing with the damn tray?

I sip the tea and watch the women on the patio. Mmm. Ooo, this is nice. I sip some more, the taste familiar on my palate. Sort of like coffee but also spicy. “What kind of tea is it?”

The Beta glances at Veme, who turns in her chair and tucks her feet under her bottom. “Joelo leaves with some homemade spices that will provide relief from pain. Joelo grows in King’s Valley. Do you know where that is?”

No, but can we move there? Becausehello, coffee-like sustenance. I shake my head and drain the cup, eyeing the pitcher.

Indle watches me, drains her tea then stands, hands fisted at her sides. “More?”

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