Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 26760 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 134(@200wpm)___ 107(@250wpm)___ 89(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26760 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 134(@200wpm)___ 107(@250wpm)___ 89(@300wpm)
Stretching my limbs, I swung my legs over the edge of the bed.
Amalthea, who had been curled up on her rug, raised her head and blinked sleepily at me. “Good morning,” I murmured affectionately on my way to the bathroom.
After brushing my teeth and washing my face, I selected a comfortable outfit suitable for the day’s activities and then headed downstairs. My parents were in the kitchen, the familiar aroma of scrambled eggs and toast filling the air. Dad was at the toaster and Mom was at the stove, her chestnut hair piled on top of her head. She looked up as I entered, her warm brown eyes surveying me from head to toe.
“Morning,” she greeted, a smile playing on her lips.
“How was your night?” my father echoed her sentiments and asked.
I stiffened slightly. The question wasn't as innocent as it normally would be. They knew something. Fucking Ophelia. “It was...eventful,” I admitted, unwilling to lie but not ready to delve into the details without knowing how much she’d told them.
He glanced over his shoulder at me, stormy-grey eyes a little darker than my own meeting mine. His cropped hair, a peppered mix of black and silver, was damp, but he hadn’t shaved. His jawline still had a couple of days’ stubble, giving him a stern appearance. I diverted my gaze and went to the sliding glass doors that led to the deck, pulling them open to let Thea out into the backyard.
“Were you busy?”
“Not any more than usual.” Walking over to the fridge, I pulled out a container of fresh raw meat, specifically tailored for Amalthea's unique diet. The delicate scent filled the air as I placed some into her bowl.
While I was occupied, my mother moved in closer, wiping her hands with a dishtowel. “Korinna,” she began, her voice gentle but laced with concern, “maybe you should consider rescheduling your plans today. It might be safer if you stayed close to home.”
“I can't. You know the housing officials set each appointment up individually weeks in advance. Nefertari's already on her way to pick me up.”
“But why the rush to move out? Is there something we should know?”
I almost laughed. Neither of them had any tact whatsoever when it came to fishing for information or being discreet with their intentions. “Mom. I'm an adult. It's a part of growing up, making decisions. You and Dad always preach how you want us to be able to stand on our own two feet.” I paused for a moment, gathering my thoughts before continuing in a way that would give nothing away. “Whether I'm here or in my own place, it's not going to change whatever is happening out there.”
They shared a look, and a familiar determined glint lit in both their eyes. I almost groaned. This meant they were gearing up for a united front, ready to pull out all the stops. Rarely was I the one at the receiving end. Ophelia had been carrying that burden all on her own.
“Listen, with everything that's been happening, we thought perhaps we could have a quiet day. Maybe watch some old films or play some board games?” Mom asked, her gaze hopeful.
“You mean just us two? Dad has to work today, doesn't he?” I challenged, glancing at the wrist-comm my father wore that signified his association with the city's central grid. “And Ophelia, she's not even here. She must be at the boutique already. Why is it only me you want to stay home?”
“We worry more about you. You’re the one who more often than not faces dangerous situations head on. Your sister is less confrontational,” my mother responded, her hands wringing the edge of her apron.
I felt a twinge of guilt for keeping things from them, but I knew them too well to do otherwise. They wouldn’t leave this alone. I’d never been a little girl who hid behind her parents, and I wasn’t going to start now as a grown woman. “I appreciate your concern, but staying home isn’t going to make any of what happened go away. If the Triad wanted me, they’d have me.”
“Don’t talk like that, Kore.” She turned towards Dad. “Tristan, some help please.”
My father sighed, clearly not fully onboard with the tag-team method. “Korinna, it's just—like your mother said. You've always had this spark, this fire. We fear that it might make things worse if you are approached again.”
I was about to retort that I didn’t completely lack common sense when Mom added, “It's not that we don't trust you, honey. We don't trust the world around you.”
The sound of a soft horn interrupted our conversation. “I have to go. Can one of you let Thea in when she’s ready?”
“I got it,” Dad replied, shooting my mom a look that said leave it alone—at least for now.