Page 246 of Sigils & Spells

Diana huffed. “I just told you someone tried to drown her in the washing pool. I know you are not deaf.”

Gently, I touched Diana's shoulder. “It's okay. Let's just go.” I turned to Pia and spoke as neutrally as possible. “I'm just getting dry clothes on and I will be back to finish the washing.” Leaving her in my wake, I continued down the corridor.

“You probably lost your balance and fell in. Nobody here is going to try and hurt you, Annarah.”

My temper got the better of me and I spun back around to face her. “No? Do not pretend that you would have any feelings of sorrow if I had been the one to drown in that river or come to any other end. You do not bother to hide your dislike of me, and I am neither blind nor stupid.”

Priestess Pia sputtered with indignation. “How dare you? As if any of us are to blame for not wanting a murderer in our midst. One of us could be next. Nobody here wants to live in fear, constantly looking over our shoulder.”

Refusing to let her see me cry, I bit the inside of my cheek until it bled and marched down the hall and out the door without another word. Diana could be heard telling her off before I heard her footsteps almost running to catch up with me. She tugged on my shoulder to slow me down, but all I wanted was to get back to the privacy of my room before anyone saw me cry.

Yanking my door open, I rushed through the doorway, only to slip in a puddle on the floor and land flat on my back. My skull cracked into the flooring and I saw stars for a moment before focusing on Diana kneeling beside me.

“Are you okay?”

I squeezed my eyes tightly closed and waited for the nausea to pass. “I'll be fine.”

“Let me help you sit up.”

Once in a sitting position, I took in the room. Water covered most of the floor. Anything that had been sitting on the floor was soaked, some of my things ruined. Despite my hands being wet, I rubbed them over my face. Whoever had done this must have carried numerous buckets of water or left the water in the bathroom running for quite some time.

Before I could get to my feet and fetch towels to clean it up, I heard a surprised gasp from the door.

The High Priestess stood with one hand on the knob, taking in the scene. “What on earth happened here?”

I struggled to my feet. “I'm so sorry. I'll get some towels and clean it up right away.”

Diana rested her hand on my shoulder. “High Priestess, there are some things we need to discuss.”

The leader of our temple complex inclined her head in agreement. “I would say so.”

CHAPTER7

With a wave of her hand,the High Priestess dried the floor, my belongings, and even the clothes I wore. In seconds, no evidence existed that my quarters had been a flood plane. She turned to Diana and me and gestured for us to follow.

“Will the two of you come with me, please?”

With a slight wobble, I got to my feet. The other two women frowned slightly but didn't say anything to me. We crossed the compound in silence, making it obvious the High Priestess was taking us not to her office, but to her private living space.

Everyone we passed on the way watched us with interest. Some tried to pretend they weren't, and others stared boldly. My eyes remained trained straight ahead of me and I pretended not to notice the attention we had garnered.

The door opened at her approach and she waved us through. “Please come in.”

As the door shut behind us, I took a moment to look around. Never before had I been invited to her private home. I'd been in her office many times, but this visit made the first for me. Diana didn't seem to feel out of place, but I didn't know if she'd ever been here before.

“Thank you for seeing us, High Priestess.” Diana spoke in a friendly but formal tone.

“Please, make yourselves comfortable.” She gestured toward the sofa. “Can I get you anything to drink? Tea, or perhaps cocoa?”

Both Diana and I nodded, and a tray appeared on the coffee table before us with service for three. The High Priestess sat in a green armchair opposite us and invited us to help ourselves.

As we poured tea, I took in the room around us. Its decoration ran exactly opposite to the rest of the complex. Where most of the buildings were sleek and minimal, this room felt homey and comfortable.

Warm wood floors boasted a large floral rug. The green furniture complemented the rug perfectly. Beige walls were bright without being stark. Even the sheer curtains flowed in such a way that the room felt alive.

“Your home is absolutely lovely.” I couldn't refrain from commenting on it.

Sometimes, in my dreams, I had my own place. Small and nothing fancy, but all mine to decorate however I fancied. In my imagination, I might choose patterns and colors such as these because they felt so soothing and peaceful.

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