Persephone looked left and right, smiling.“I thought there was more than Samsor at the door.”
Em paused.“You are how they got a hold of Mateo.”
“Sort of.Duran contacted Ark, who called Achilles, who has Mateo’s direct number.”
“Nice.Like teenage girls.Which one of them is taking the other to the prom?”Em was exhausted.“Congratulations on the babies.”
“Thanks.I birthed two, and my sisters birthed the others.Elf thing.”
“And you are a wee little pixie with pink hair and high heels,” Em mumbled.
“You are seeing that?”
“Yup.That’s my schtick.I see things, and I know things.”
“You are exhausted.”
“Lots of holes, lots of bruising, too long on alert.But I checked my phone.We won the competition.Yay.Kids get free lunches.”She sighed.“I am going to nap now.Sorry my conversation isn’t more stimulating.”
“It’s okay.I understand.You rest.We will be fifteen minutes away when you get out.”
“Thanks for the warning.”Em chuckled and dozed.
She guessed it was hours later.The accountant was sitting with his laptop, his face illuminated by the screen.Duran was gone.
“What is your name?”
He didn’t look up.“Echel.”
She was thirsty and slowly began to shift toward the water cup and pitcher, like she was engaging in a slow seduction of the plastic.
There was suddenly a person between her and the pitcher.She blinked up at him.“Ech.”
He grinned.“I will take it.Just ask.I don’t mind moving for you.”
She stared and blinked.“That is a terrifying image.”
He laughed, poured her a half-filled cup, put a straw in it, and held it for her.She sipped, and the cool water was the best thing ever.
He smiled.“More?”
“Gimme a minute.”
She could feel the water moving slowly through her, taking her internal warmth with it.When it felt like it had cleared the stomach, she said, “More, please.”
He filled and handed her the cup, and she sipped until the cup was empty, and then he set it back on her tray table.
She nodded and leaned back, slowly elevating her bed.“Middle of the night?”
“Yes.Your surgeon came in, checked you, and will check on you tomorrow.”
Echel resumed his spot and lifted his laptop.“I have found most of your money.Duran will have a pretty easy job of it.They put it all into the pack account, without any documentation of your authorization.”
“Because there wasn’t any.”
“Correct.It was moved from the bank, with the assistance of a clerk, and into a separate fund by your sister.”
“Of course.Well, half-sister.Now that you have seen Mateo, my skin and hair make a bit more sense.”
