I had everyone up in a couple of minutes, though both Ellie and Lord Boian looked in need of caffeine. I was plenty awake as I started to explain, holding Oana in the center between us.
"Her parents abandoned her to us," I started. "Her stepdad...she called him new papa...said we could give her a better life or quicker death than if she stayed with them. Her mother is dying. New papa didn't want her hanging around, seems like."
Ellie gave me a confused look. "A quicker death?"
Oana bent her head back, exposing her throat like she did to me last night. Ellie put her hand to her mouth before reaching down and straightening Oana's head back to straight up.
"We are not slitting your throat. We're taking you with us."
"Maid Elexus," Lord Boian said with a groan. "You're going to let commoners make decisions for you?"
"I am making my own decision, and this is what I'm doing." The finality of Ellie's statement had him looking my way with pleading eyes, but I shook my head slightly.
"I knew this was going to happen the moment I laid eyes on the waif," he grumbled.
"Then we might as well eat and head west," she snapped.
"Yes, Maid Elexus," came the tired response.
"By the way, Ellie," I said. "She's calling you New Mama." I didn't bother mentioning that she was calling me New Papa.
YOU ARE READING
Wherever I Am
Bilim KurguCollege-age Kevin Covali and his family have lived on his uncle's estate for the last year instead of in the city. When he and his sister Allie are attacked on the road home from school, he finds out that there is more to his family than he ever sus...
