The Golden Bell by Autumn Dawn Page B

this
called?”
    “The juice is nectar from the yellow leaf
stalk, mistress, and the soup is called ‘sour pot’. Do you like
them?”
    “Definitely. This is good stuff.”
    “I’ll be sure to share that with the kitchen.
Tell me, what things do you most enjoy doing? It will be my
pleasure to see if we can duplicate them here.”
    Rain thought about it. “I like to take things
apart and see how they work. I read science, history and
biographies. I do some martial arts, but not really for fun. I like
to swim and go fishing…and eating. I always like to eat.”
    Malian laughed. “Well, the eating is easy. We
have an extensive library here at the Citadel, and excellent
fishing on the bay. As for the other, I think something can be
arranged. What would you like to do first?”
    Rain thought about it, thought about the
Haunt outside her room. “Uh, the books sound good. Could you bring
me a stack? And if you know anyone with a broken gadget, I’d like
to have it. Tools, too, if you can borrow some.” She never had a
gofer before, but Rain didn’t hesitate to use her services. If
Fallon wanted to pay for a servant, fine. He was part of the reason
she was stuck here, anyway.
    “Yes, mistress.”
    “Thanks.”
    Rain went back outside to look at the fish as
Malian cleared the table. When she was sure she was gone, she took
out the Bell and set it. Now that she was here, she could flash
back to Earth anytime, at any of the various points she’d set it
for. Unwilling to risk the Bell’s music in the garden, she quickly
slipped the device back into the casing. She stared at it,
considering.
    No money. That was that hardest thing on the
run, getting money honestly. Whatever passed for money here, she
was almost certain it wouldn’t fly back home. Basic elements like
gold and silver or gems she could cash in, but short of stealing
them, she was out of luck. Without them, she would be back where
she started, scared, tired and hungry. How could she earn some?
    She grimaced. She was going to have to leave
her room, see what was in demand, what there was to work with. Her
father had believed her inventions would make them rich and now was
a good time to test his theory.
    She took a deep breath for courage. She was
going to have to face the Haunt.
    She made it as far as the door before
chickening out. Always bad with directions, she told herself she’d
probably get lost. Maybe she could wait for Malian.
    Unfortunately, it was Fallon who opened the
door scant minutes later to find her still dithering. He raised one
blond brow. “Going out?”
    “Maybe. I haven’t made up my mind,” she said
defensively. She glanced at his midsection, wondering about his
back, but her eyes skittered away from his buckled vest. That thing
was a subtle form of torture.
    “Allow me to escort you, then. I thought you
might enjoy a tour of the grounds before dinner.”
    “Ah…are there a lot of…of Haunt walking
around out there?”
    “Yes, but I think I can protect you.”
    She shot him a look for that comment, but
maybe he deserved a little revenge. “I’m not a coward.”
    “Aren’t you? Let’s see,” he murmured. He
stepped closer and kissed her.
    Stunned, she froze as his mouth brushed hers.
More confusing, he stopped there. Lifting his head, he said softly,
“Maybe you aren’t.”
    Confounded, she stepped back. “Don’t do
that!”
    “Do what?” he asked innocently.
    “That! You know what. Don’t do it again.”
More rattled than she liked to admit, she braced to resist if he
tried it.
    He shrugged and headed for the door. “You
don’t have to feel inadequate, you know. I’m sure you might get
better at it with practice.”
    Outrage had her following him, railing as she
went. “I don’t need practice! If I did need practice, I wouldn’t
get it from you.” Confused, she frowned. That sounded like an
admission of some kind.
    His smile was cocksure, designed to enrage.
He threw it over his shoulder and walked slowly