AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“We’re setting up a development not that far north of here, and we were hoping you’d be interested in some trading with us?” Lola said.
For sisters, they didn’t look much alike. Lola’s hair was nearly black, and Harriett had nearly white-blond hair. Alisha’s was more of a muddy brown. It wasn’t just coloring, either. But if calling each other sisters made them feel better, who was I to question it?
“I appreciate your making your presence known, but we’re self-sufficient,” Groza said, killing any hope they might have harbored.
Maybe it might’ve been different if they hadn’t been human. She’d likely starve to death before taking breadcrumbs from a mere mortal.
Duncan might’ve felt differently, but it was impossible to tell.
Lola’s brows didn’t rise; her lips didn’t part. Not one part of her was surprised by this reaction. If anything, her face was set in place firmer than mine. Or firmer than mine had been,because I was probably showingsomesurprise. How had she known she’d be rejected, and if she did, why had she come? And what else did she know?
“I understand your hesitance with newcomers in times like these. Perhaps we could invite you to our settlement once we’re further along? We think it’s very important to be on friendly terms with our neighbors. You never know when there’ll be a situation where you need to lean on each other.” She smiled after finishing up what had sounded like a very nice lecture about how Groza was wrong.
There was no doubt about it—she was scolding the alpha.
“Maybe after you’re settled,” Groza said, her tone still implying it would never happen. “Where is it you’re setting up?”
“Not that far to the north of here. I’m sure one of your people must’ve noticed us, no?” Her eyebrows rose, but this was an act if I’d ever seen one.
“Our people don’t travel that far from our community,” Groza said.
“Hmm. Well, that’s strange. Must’ve been someone else’s scout.” Lola shrugged. “He didn’t seem awfully friendly when we tried to interact, but we let the situation go, giving the benefit of the doubt that he didn’t mean any harm. We like to go in with open arms, at least initially, or until it’s shown that it’s not warranted.”
Oh, now that was a shot across the bow. This chick had some spunk. I’d come over here thinking I might need to shield these three, but now I was getting a feeling that they had it handled all on their own.
“Well, we’ll be off, then. It was very nice to make your acquaintance, and hopefully we can find some mutually positive ground.”
They nodded to Groza and Duncan before turning to leave. Then Lola turned, her eyes snagging on me. She stared for afew seconds too long before she continued on toward her sisters, who were waiting a few steps away.
“I told you something wasn’t right with them,” Jaysa hissed.
She might be onto something this time.
For once, I wished I was on better terms with at least one of them. Groza had obviously sent at least one spy, and I really would’ve liked to hear what they saw.
Chapter Seventeen
Charlie was sleeping,and the cottage was completely dark except for a single candle burning on the kitchen table as I sat alone. Even Jaysa had disappeared for the evening, when I could’ve used a little company for once.
No one at the roast had questioned me about the missing men, but people were talking about them. They were surely searching at this point, too. Even if they were never found, Groza was looking to dump the blame on me. How long did I have? Should I pack a bag and leave now? Sitting here waiting felt like insanity, but leaving might be just as crazy. They’d track me down in under a day. Kicks might be my only option. But if they demanded he hand me over, would he truly back me up or take the easy way out?
The front door creaked open, and I jumped out of my chair.
Duncan stood at the base of the stairs. He was alone, without a horde at his back, so they probably didn’t know what had happened to the men—yet.
Still, I got to my feet and edged closer.
He glanced upward, toward Charlie’s room, and then back to me.
“He’s asleep. Why are you here?”
“We need to talk.” He motioned toward the kitchen.
If he was here to kill me, he wouldn’t bother with the pretense of going into the other room. I’d already be dead.
I went in and leaned against the counter, leaving the width of the kitchen between us. Or I tried. He traced my steps, stopping only a foot or so away.
“Do you know Walter and Berman?” he asked, a hard edge to his tone.
