Journey of a Girl

Secrets We Keep: Chapter Three

The second dinner began just as unpleasantly as the first.

Credence walked with John, her wrists bound, and she took her seat the moment they entered the hall, refusing to wait for her host to join them.

"Try to be agreeable," John urged.

"I don't have to do anything," Credence snapped.

John sighed and left the hall, closing the door behind him.

Bells announced the Collector's arrival shortly after John's departure, and he echoed Credence's informality by taking his seat without a proper greeting.

But Credence had come to dinner armed, and she was excited to test Ma's rules for besting an enemy.

Rule Five. If Possible, Don't Talk First.

It would be easy enough, she thought, to follow that tactic.

She looked at the feast within reach and her mouth trembled.

To punctuate her hunger, her stomach gurgled.

John had called this 'dinner' when he came to fetch her, which told Credence there would be no breakfast or midday meal offered.

"You're hungry," the Collector's voice boomed through the hall.

He was staring at her with a curious expression, his head tilted to the side and his dark hair falling over his eyes.

"The food is for eating, not staring at," he added.

"You first."

"You've seen me eat from this table."

"Perhaps the food on your end is safe."

"I could move closer if that would comfort you."

Credence snorted. "Lilith taught me that some enchantments can be crafted to ensnare a single mind while sparing others."

"A wise hag, for all her faults. Did she show you how?"

"No. But I know which herbs are used to mask the taste and smell of poison."

"Do you think I mean to poison you?"

"You've used enchantments on me before."

He nodded. "There's no need here. I thought John explained that to you."

He poured himself a drink, then raised his cup towards her.

"To Credence," he toasted. "To having you home at last."

"Your home."

"Yours, too."

He drank deeply, then set the cup down with a satisfied sigh.

"How do you like the world I built for you?"

Rule Six. If Questioned, Be Brisk.

"It's cold and empty. Just like you."

So much for being polite, she reprimanded herself. Ma's first rule instructed the appearance of amiability, but Credence didn't have the patience for that now.

Not when a monster sat before her.

The Collector ignored her rude evaluation.

"If you need company, I'm right here." His lips curled into a sly grin. "Or we could create life to populate our world. I could show you how."

She didn't like his tone.

"You've only seen a sliver of what I built for you. The towns, your home, the woods...all the places that shaped you are here. But there's so much more. I've taken the liberty of adding a few scenes from my own memories. The lake with the waterfall, for instance. Did you like it?"