Rabidity (Jane Loft-series #1)

Chapter 10

We've been running for ten minutes before Camille stops abruptly. I follow her example, causing Xavier, who is running right behind me, to mow me down with his force. I lose my balance and fall to the ground, him on my back.

"Whoa, love," he says, staying right where he is, "not in front of the kids."

I start laughing and I'm joined by Summer and Fang. Happiness sounds weird in these silent miserable streets. "Get off, you moron. You're heavy."

"I think I'm going to stay right where I am. It's pretty comfortable here," he replies. I know he's trying to lighten the tension between Camille and the rest of us and I happily play along. Trevor drops down next to me and plays with a strand of my hair, but does nothing to help me up. He avoids my gaze, but I know he's trying very hard not to laugh. He has been very serious since we arrived in Palsa. I know he thinks it's wrong to be happy here, but I'm sure the inhabitants are happier with the laughter instead of the misery.

Now I'm think about the inhabitants, I look at Camille. She walks up three steps of a what seems like abandoned house and knocks three times on the door. The mysterious girl talks to the piece of wood. She turns around, sees us lying on the floor, me cursing Xav while he's lying on my back, chatting with Trevor and rolls her eyes.

"Get up," she snarls. "My father is an honored man. I suggest you act at least a little grown up."

We all get serious again and Trevor gets up, pulling Xav from my back and helping me to my feet. I see how Summer makes a face at Camille's back and I laugh again. When Camille shoots daggers at me with her eyes, I look back with the most murderous gaze I can manage.

The door behind her opens and an old looking man with shaggy grey hair appears. He's wearing a grey robe, his eyes are tired and his hair is literally everywhere. It looks like he just woke up. "Camille, girl, what are you doing back so early? Do you have any information?"

"I found the Macarians you were talking about," she all but whispers.

The old man's eyes widen and he looks past Camille. He finds our little group and smiles when Dana barks happily.

"Dana," I hiss, "sit!" The dogs obeys reluctantly, but keeps wagging her tail.

The man's smile widens. It's the first friendly face we've seen in Palsa so far. "Please, come in," he invites.

"Father..." Camille starts, but Lunar holds his hand up and silences her. He gestures to us we can come in and walks in himself. My Circle follows him.

I can't help myself but smile mockingly at Camille when I pass her. "Daddy's little girl, eh?"

She grabs my wrist and holds it so tight I know it's going to bruise, but I pretend like I feel nothing and lock my gaze with her. "Watch yourself, little girl. I don't care you're from Macaria. I'll make sure you never return."

"Is that a threat?" I ask her, Dana at my side. The dog is regarding everything thoroughly, but makes no move of defending me. Apparently, she sees no danger in the girl. It makes me relax a little bit, but I still don't trust Camille.

"You bet your pretty face that's a threat," the girl snaps. "Your attitude tells me you're nothing but trouble. Palsa has enough problems on its own, we don't need you to screw it up even more. Got it?"

"We're here to help," I answer, straightening my back and ignoring the pain she's causing, "and by the looks of it, you can use it."

She uses her free hand to grab a dagger. "We're fine."

"Is that why your people start fighting over a tiny piece of bread?" The point of the dagger is pressed against my skin where my liver is. Dana curls her lip and start growling when Camille takes a step closer. "By the way, if you're born in Macaria, where's your ring?"