Page 63 of Keeper of the Word

The three—even Joss—pushed a variety of tarts, nuts, and ciders in front of Elanna.

“Try this!”

“Lady, you shall love this!”

“You must try this!”

Elanna tried to convince her companions that she had tasted plenty of decadent food before this day. StarSeers weren’t like the Stillmoon Priestesses, she’d exclaimed. But they heard none of it. And secretly, Elanna reveled in their enjoyment. Joss and Barrett were finally looking her in the eyes. Smiling at her. She and Joss even shared a joke regarding two left shoes from one morning of dressing her. Almost like a friend.

After a couple of hours, Joss instructed that ’twas time to return.

“Allow her to see one more show,” Barrett said. “There is a jongleur beginning in a moment.” He pointed across the crowd to the largest of the stages.

“Barrett,” Joss said, but her eyes did not match her tone. “Oh, very well.”

“You’ve made the right call,” Hux said. “There’s a spot against the wall there. Let us make our way there.”

Without glancing back, Hux took Elanna’s hand and started toward the unoccupied area. Elanna’s eyes didn’t move from their hands until he promptly let go after he’d satisfied himself with anideal location, one where they could observe. Elanna glanced behind her.

“Where are Joss and Barrett?”

Hux eyed the crowd. “It appears that Barrett is making another purchase. They’re making their way. Glad I am that I do not have to answer to the Wolf for the amount of coin spent today.” He chuckled.

The jongleur began strumming his lute, drawing the crowd’s attention.

Elanna sensed eyes on her.

She searched the crowd for the source. Yet in the mass of people, she may as well have been seeking a mouse instead of a person.

“We must go, m’lady.” Joss came to stand next to her, which was becoming more difficult as the crowd had increased in number. “We’ve lingered too long.”

“Anything amiss?” Hux’s attention was on the crowd.

“I think people are beginning to notice her. ’Twould be safest for us to leave now.”

At that moment, Elanna sensed another pair of eyes on her. But this time right in front of them. A small child had her eyes concentrated on Elanna, her finger in her mouth as if deciphering the reason Elanna should be drawing her attention.

“Of course,” Elanna said, giving the girl a smile and receiving one in return.

They were near the square’s exit when Elanna finally made eye contact with the person who’d been fixed on her.

The flash struck her with such force that ’twas as if she’d been shoved. Hux and Joss caught her from diving face-first into the stone.

“Do you give this?…”

“Your blood for my blood…”

A guttural cackle scratched at her ears.

Then, Elanna Saw Tara standing before her. She appeared…wrong.

“Elanna!” Hux’s voice brought her back. “Elanna!”

The jongleur had just performed a line to make the crowd burst into peals of laughter. The aroma of black tea hit her nose.

“Are you well, m’lady?” Joss asked.

“Aye. Give me a moment.”