Collide and Seek: Act 4-5 (Bitter Ashes Book 2) Read Free Page B

side, and several teacups on the other. James set the tray down on the low coffee-table that stood in between the couch and two comfy-looking chairs. He sat down in one of the chairs, followed by Diana, who sat in the other.
    Alaric sauntered past me and took a seat on one side of the couch. The three of them watched me as I considered where to sit. With a final look at Alaric, I sat cross-legged on the floor in front of the coffee table. The position I'd chosen put me closer to Diana than I wanted to be, but it was the spot farthest from both James and Alaric.
    “Sit by your man, child,” Diana scolded. “There's no need to sit on the floor.”
    “He's not my man,” I replied politely. “I much prefer the floor.”
    Diana huffed. “Just because you're mad at him, doesn't mean he isn't yours.”
    The woman was obviously senile, but I humored her none-the-less. “I'm not just mad at him,” I explained. “He had me put in a cell, and then he watched while James stabbed me. Mad doesn't even begin to cover it.”
    Diana simply smiled. “You will see things differently in time.”
    Diana's words made James frown. “What else do you see?” he asked.
    Diana turned toward him. “You know better than to ask,” she chided. With that, she took a cup of tea into her bony hand and began sipping daintily.
    I turned my attention to the sandwiches lying only a few torturous inches away from me. They looked to be peanut butter and jelly. While it was a strange choice for supper, I was just glad there wasn't any meat in them. Noticing my gaze, Diana gestured toward the sandwiches with a smile.
    “Now, about this charm,” Diana began as I snatched a sandwich and bit into the hearty bread.
    “James sure told you a lot, didn't he?” I interrupted with my mouth full.
    “He told me very little, though he did mention your current quest,” Diana replied. “I wanted a moment with him before I met you so that I might scold him for not warning me of his visit.”
    I squinted at her, suddenly feeling very uncomfortable. I had a suspicion that Estus could sometimes read the thoughts of others. Perhaps this woman was the same.
    “Then how did you-” I began.
    “I see things,” she interrupted. “What has been, some of what will be, but only sometimes what is .”
    Well that explained her observations about Alaric, which I'd have to think more upon later. At that moment I was more concerned with the look in Diana's vibrant green eyes as she stared at me. It was a look that said she was imagining peeling my skin off layer by layer.
    “Could you please stop looking at me like you want to eat me?” I asked nervously.
    “I have offered you sanctuary,” she replied. “You are safe from my appetites . . . tonight.”
    I gulped. I hadn't actually thought she wanted to eat me, but I had seen a similar, predatory look from James.
    Diana turned her attention to Alaric. “Now my dear,” she said, “I haven't seen you since you were a boy. Where is Sophie? You two were never far from each other as children.”
    Alaric looked truly surprised. “I'm sorry, do I know you?” he asked.
    Diana smiled. “I asked my question first.”
    “Sophie is . . . ” Alaric paused seemingly at a loss for words.
    It only occurred to me in that moment that I wasn't the only one Sophie had abandoned. She had never even planned on telling Alaric that she was going to leave with Maya. It had to hurt.
    “Sophie is away on business,” I answered for him.
    Diana cocked her head at me. “You're not lying,” she began, “but you're also not telling me the truth.”
    I shrugged and took another bite of my sandwich.
    Diana sniffed and turned her attention from me. I glanced up at James, who was sitting stiffly with an unreadable expression. Something told me that we didn't want Diana to know that Sophie had left the Salr.
    “I will help you find the charm,” Diana said suddenly, “but I want to share in the credit when you deliver it to my sister,