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My tail turns in his seat and stares at me for a long moment with suspicious eyes. Irritation rises that I am here wasting time with these two when I should be home dealing with the body and protecting Niyah.
“I must go,” I say, putting my hands on the table and sliding out of the booth.
“Please, wait,” Annalise says, placing her hand on top of mine.
“What is your hurry?” Mazabuta asks.
I left her alone with a dead Maulavi.
I cannot say that, of course. I am not sure I can trust him, not yet anyway. He did bring Niyah to me, told me to protect her and he made it clear part of what he wanted her protected from was the Maulavi. Does he know that Janara is alive? Is he part of this brewing revolt?
“Niyah is home alone,” I say, telling a portion of the truth. “I do not want her by herself too long.”
Mazabuta’s eyes narrow with suspicion but Annalise smiles.
“You are so sweet,” she says. “It can be really hard to be home alone. Maz told me they’re not allowed to roam the city. So far I’ve been allowed to myself but I remember when I couldn’t. It was hard.”
“Yes, so I must go,” I say, standing.
“Wait,” Mazabuta says.
“There is no time,” I bark. “I am in a hurry.”
“Wait,” Mazabuta says, his voice low and he motions with his head for me to sit back down.
I take the seat but now I’m pissed. I don’t need him ordering me around. I have things to deal with and no time for this.
“Is there anything she needs?” Annalise asks. “I’d like to help.”
“Nothing,” I snap, glaring at Mazabuta. A low growl slips from his lips. “Was there anything else?”
Mazabuta leans over the table.
“Something is wrong,” he says so softly I barely hear it. “Do you need help?”
“No,” I bark.
He’s offering. I could trust him. No. Not with this. It’s too much to involve him in even if I can trust him which fact is still up in the air.
Mazabuta narrows his eyes and it makes the back of my neck itch. I rub my head.
“She is doing well, Annalise,” I say. “We have been cooking together.”
“Oh, that’s nice. I bet that’s a lot of fun.”
“Yes,” I agree. “Mazabuta, I am having a bed delivered. I must go. Now.”
I stand up, unwilling to let him further delay me. If it comes to blow again then so be it.
“I bet you two are a cute couple,” Annalise says and I stop midway through my turn to leave.
“What?” I ask, turning back towards her.
“You two,” she says. “A cute couple. Right Maz?”
Mazabuta has one arm around her shoulders and is leaning against her. He brushes a stray hair from her cheek then kisses the newly cleared skin. The way they look at one another, they fit together. An almost blinding rage surges in my thoughts. I clench my fists and growl, looking away from the pair.
“I must go,” I snarl.
