twist it like that. There is nothing between us. And I feel safer knowing that he will be there with me.”
“Is there anything I can say to dissuade you?”
“No.” Her voice was solid, unwavering.
“I guess then there is no reason for me being here,” Brier’s voice was low.
“Brier,” Khaya pleaded.
Brier stormed out past Derrin and, expecting Khaya to follow, he Leapt outside, crouching behind a shrub to the side of the front door. Khaya soon appeared. “Brier! Come back,” her voice caught and tears glistened down her cheeks. She stood in the door long after Brier disappeared from view.
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
Walking to work the next morning, Khaya was still saddened by Brier’s reaction. She couldn’t believe he would leave things like that. Maybe he thought it would change her mind, convince her that she couldn’t leave on such a bitter note.
He could think again.
She walked through the main library doors and up the stairs. Reaching the landing at the top, she peered through the glass panels in the door leading off to her left, to the actual library. Several people were visible browsing among the shelves. She used to be a regular before the Company even found her.
How she would love to go back to that time. To a life of simplicity and normality.
She sighed and pushed through the door to her right. Res saw her entering and froze, his tail whipping to and fro. She glared at him and felt like saying ‘Boo!’. She settled for shaking her head at him.
She looked around for Merrit. He was usually late for work and she guessed that today was no exception. When Phalio did not intercept her as she entered, she made her way over to her desk.
She grimaced when Peater approached her, a sheaf of papers in his hands. “Phalio is dealing with another matter today,” he said, placing the documents on her desk. “I’m afraid it’s back to normal work for you for now.”
Khaya couldn’t stop from grinning. She’d been dreading another dreary day in the basement with a stone-faced Phalio. She skimmed through the first document – a report of a fire in the market area of Teaton, a town to the west of Arroe.
A number of times while reading she thought someone called her name. She turned, each time finding no one behind her. Perhaps she was more on edge than she thought.
Several hours later, she realised Merrit still wasn’t at his desk. Her stomach gave a roll. Maybe he left without her. She cursed under her breath. She should have left with him the night before. Clearly, Brier wasn’t much bothered about her comings and goings. Maybe he’s busy with something else . She turned her papers face down on the desk and got up to look for him.
Only a couple of women were in the staff room when she peeked in. She had never had any dealings with either of them. She didn’t even know what their abilities were, but they’d both been with the Company longer than her. As she stepped closer to them they both retreated a step. “Argh,” Khaya grunted. “Have you seen Merrit today?” She tried and failed to contain her irritation.
The women shook their heads, faces pinched. Khaya thought that if she asked for their coins and jewellery, they would hand them over in an instant. Muttering under her breath, she walked another round of the room before settling back at her desk.
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
The moment she finished work, Khaya rushed over to Merrit’s house. She knocked several times, but received no answer. Giving up, she hurried to her own house. Her heart was racing. She kept thinking someone was following – she could hear their footsteps. Looking over her shoulder for the fourth time she shook her head, trying to dispel the feeling of being watched.
She sighed in relief as she shut her front door behind her. She threw an apple and some provisions into a bag. Part of her wished Brier would show up and persuade her to stay. The bigger part,
“Is there anything I can say to dissuade you?”
“No.” Her voice was solid, unwavering.
“I guess then there is no reason for me being here,” Brier’s voice was low.
“Brier,” Khaya pleaded.
Brier stormed out past Derrin and, expecting Khaya to follow, he Leapt outside, crouching behind a shrub to the side of the front door. Khaya soon appeared. “Brier! Come back,” her voice caught and tears glistened down her cheeks. She stood in the door long after Brier disappeared from view.
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
Walking to work the next morning, Khaya was still saddened by Brier’s reaction. She couldn’t believe he would leave things like that. Maybe he thought it would change her mind, convince her that she couldn’t leave on such a bitter note.
He could think again.
She walked through the main library doors and up the stairs. Reaching the landing at the top, she peered through the glass panels in the door leading off to her left, to the actual library. Several people were visible browsing among the shelves. She used to be a regular before the Company even found her.
How she would love to go back to that time. To a life of simplicity and normality.
She sighed and pushed through the door to her right. Res saw her entering and froze, his tail whipping to and fro. She glared at him and felt like saying ‘Boo!’. She settled for shaking her head at him.
She looked around for Merrit. He was usually late for work and she guessed that today was no exception. When Phalio did not intercept her as she entered, she made her way over to her desk.
She grimaced when Peater approached her, a sheaf of papers in his hands. “Phalio is dealing with another matter today,” he said, placing the documents on her desk. “I’m afraid it’s back to normal work for you for now.”
Khaya couldn’t stop from grinning. She’d been dreading another dreary day in the basement with a stone-faced Phalio. She skimmed through the first document – a report of a fire in the market area of Teaton, a town to the west of Arroe.
A number of times while reading she thought someone called her name. She turned, each time finding no one behind her. Perhaps she was more on edge than she thought.
Several hours later, she realised Merrit still wasn’t at his desk. Her stomach gave a roll. Maybe he left without her. She cursed under her breath. She should have left with him the night before. Clearly, Brier wasn’t much bothered about her comings and goings. Maybe he’s busy with something else . She turned her papers face down on the desk and got up to look for him.
Only a couple of women were in the staff room when she peeked in. She had never had any dealings with either of them. She didn’t even know what their abilities were, but they’d both been with the Company longer than her. As she stepped closer to them they both retreated a step. “Argh,” Khaya grunted. “Have you seen Merrit today?” She tried and failed to contain her irritation.
The women shook their heads, faces pinched. Khaya thought that if she asked for their coins and jewellery, they would hand them over in an instant. Muttering under her breath, she walked another round of the room before settling back at her desk.
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
The moment she finished work, Khaya rushed over to Merrit’s house. She knocked several times, but received no answer. Giving up, she hurried to her own house. Her heart was racing. She kept thinking someone was following – she could hear their footsteps. Looking over her shoulder for the fourth time she shook her head, trying to dispel the feeling of being watched.
She sighed in relief as she shut her front door behind her. She threw an apple and some provisions into a bag. Part of her wished Brier would show up and persuade her to stay. The bigger part,
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