Page 79 (1/2)

She turned and gestured to the roo trip, I shouldn’t be surprised by her question I debated Naked truth versus it’s-none-of-your-business "Yep" I braced for her follow-up question and she didn’t disappoint me

"Then why can’t I stay with you? You can afford it"

I knelt down so I was eye level "I may have to leave suddenly for a season or more at a time"

"So? Hire a babysitter" She put her hands on her hips

A touch of ic brushed my face

"Didn’t think of that, did you?" She dared me to correct her

I hadn’t considered a sitter, but what concerned ician hid in my apartment or the power ca?" I asked

She wilted a bit "I guessed I’ people’s moods, but you’re the hardest person to read! Did you win all your hed "I wish" If she was already displaying power at age ten, then she could be a powerful ician like her brother I needed to talk to Irys

"Then how did you get rich?"

"Another long and coure out It’s why I can’taround with o sort it out I’ll wait"

I peered at her "Are you sure you’re not older?"

"My mother hated indecision She told us she always let others decide for her until she becanant with me She didn’t want us to be punished for her an and ran away"

Now I understood "That’s why you won’t tell me your clan name You’re afraid of them"

"Mother made us promise to never tell anyone"

"And you should always listen to your mother," I said "Do you?"

"No"

"And?"

"Mixed results"

She giggled, but then turned serious "What would your mother say about your co"

"You should listen to your mother," Reema said

Easy to say, so hard to do

"Come in, Opal," Irys called before I could knock on her office door