Truth 3 - Forgotten Truth by Cook Dawn

Author:Cook, Dawn
Language: eng
Format: epub

Truth 3 - Forgotten Truth

Chapter 26

There was a rustle of fabric, and Alissa turned with a welcoming smile, expecting to see Connen-​Neute. A gaunt woman in a simple blue dress had sat upon the moss beside Marga's blanket. Alissa's smile shifted to a noncommittal greeting, which the woman answered with her own. Alissa turned back to the dancers, but Lodesh and Marga were lost in that single instant.

“They dance well together, don't you think?”

It was low and tired, and Alissa looked at the thin woman beside her. “Yes. They must practice a lot.” She fidgeted, feeling her stomach give a twinge. That juice, she decided, must have been somewhat fermented after all.

The woman made a small, sour shrug. “They used to. Lately their attentions have been diverted to more mundane paths.”

She sounded bitter, and Alissa glanced up uneasily.

“Look at me!” The woman laughed a shade too gaily. “I've forgotten my manners. I'm Sati,” and she extended her hand, leaning across the small distance between them.

“Alissa.” As her hand brushed the woman's, nausea swept through her. Alissa snatched her hand back and buried it under her arm. She gulped wildly. Beast jerked her attention from the music, and Alissa had to struggle to keep her feral consciousness from running them away.

Sati watched Alissa's reaction with raised eyebrows. “You aren't a Keeper,” the woman accused. “You're a Master.” She paused, her fingers going to her mouth. “Hounds,” she cursed quietly. “No wonder I couldn't see to answer his question clearly.” Her eyes went wide. “Lodesh doesn't know, does he. I've got to warn him!”

Eyes wild, Alissa reached out, drawing back as if stung at her feeling of illness. Warn him? About what? But Sati was on her feet to find Lodesh. Steeling herself, Alissa stood and grasped Sati's sleeve, pulling her beyond the torchlight, and into the fragrant shadows. Nausea rose high, and Alissa paced a tight, frantic circle before the woman, trying not to retch. Something was wrong with Sati. With her tracings. “You,” Alissa stammered, only now realizing the significance of her blue dress. “You're a shaduf.”

“Shaduf Sati, as you will it,” she said, making a short, sarcastic bob of her head. “And now that we've been properly introduced, I'll be warning Lodesh before he goes and proposes.” She turned, anger clear in her sharp, quick strides.

Alissa took a deep breath and stepped into her path. “Sati, wait,” she demanded. The sense of wrongness crashed over her anew. Clamping down upon both Beast and her upwelling nausea, Alissa stared at her. “Please,” she gasped, an acidic taste in her throat. “Let me explain. No one is supposed to know I'm a Master.” Then she hesitated. Her discomfort almost seemed to vanish as Sati's last words penetrated. “Propose?” Alissa said.

Taking a haughty stance, Sati all but sneered at Alissa's confusion. “You're astonishingly good. Your shift to human is almost perfect.” She wiggled her fingers. “You're still off on the eyes, but gray is closer than gold. Redal-​Stan teach you that?”

“Propose?” Alissa stammered.

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