Page 36 of The Secrets of Jane: Reborn

With a huff, she straightens up and places both hands atop her broom handle, vigilantly surveying the space. When her gaze lands on Soren, it flits to me and softens immediately, only to narrow back on him as if he tricked me into being there.

“You don’t need to sit with him, dear Jane,” she says, her voice deep and raspy like tobacco might have aged it as she makes her way over. Even if her skin is wrinkled, her dark eyes vibrate with youth.

Of course,everyoneis watching now.

“I’m fine here, thanks,” I reply with a polite tone, wondering what Soren’s expression is. The man moves slightly to my back as I shift to look at Mod.

The woman frowns, twitching her nose. “Next tohim? Oh, come now. You’re with your father’s people. Leave this man be.”

“He might need something,” I counter.

She leans over, crinkling her nose as it twitches once more, speaking quieter as if it’s just for us, but there’s no way Soren can’t hear. “You don’t fancy him, do you? That’s the rumor I just heard. There are so many better options out there, especially with your lineage and how pretty you are. Really, Jane.”

"That’s unfair,” Soren comments with that false sound of hurt in his voice. “You haven’t even gotten to know me, Mod.”

She shoots a burning gaze at him, her thin fingers tightly gripping her broom. “Don’t call meMod.” She looks back at me, licking her thin lips as she straightens her dress out like she’s wiping his words off of her. “You might not remember me,but I was the head organizer of the followers in your father’s company. We keep things very tidy and running properly, and sometimes cook and help with healing or mending broken things. I’d stop by you and your mother’s from time to time to bring sugared apples.”

The mention of sugary, tart treats floods my taste buds as if licking a memory. “Those wereyours?” I blink a few times. “Did I ever meet you?”

I swear when she smiles, there’s an added bit of ego, as if rubbing it into Soren. “Your father kept averytight circle around you, and so did your mother. I would wave a few times, but that’s about it. My hair has gone white since seeing you last, so I’m sure that makes it harder to place. Age has also seemingly caught up with me when I thought I might have outran it.” She addresses Soren while raising her head, as if to ensure she has to look down her nose at him. “Which is why I know you’re better thanhim.”

“I haven’t moved a muscle, just as you asked,” Soren replies. “What have I ever done to you?”

I can tell there’s definitely a play in his tone, but it mixes so perfectly with his seriousness that it’s clear she can’t tell what he’s thinking.

Mod grunts at him. “I don’t like you.”

“It’s never too late to have a change of heart.”

That just seems to make her even angrier as she rolls her eyes until they land back on me, and the smile thatalmostappeared is wiped off without thought. “You don’t owe him anything, Jane. You’re with your father’s people now, like I said. There’s so many to meet. So many to get to know. An entire world has opened up before you. You know, let’s see… ah yes, over there, that’s Jake, and he’s the weaponsmith. So is Brett, Sam, and Cora. I bet they can get a fine, new blade madejustfor you… ifyou go over there, that is. I can take you even, if you’re just not certain where to go.”

As much as I’m confident I’m not going to be swayed by her, there’s the most curious hesitation when really considering what she just said—I’m not alone. My father has his troupe; acommunity. One that I can belong to. And make my own weapons?

Swallowing thickly, I manage out, “I really should ensure Soren is okay.”

She shakes her head, pity written clear across her face. “Not good enough of a hit he took if you ask me. Could have gone deeper.”

Without waiting for a reply, Mod walks off with a stamp of the broom as if it helps her pivot. I dip my head low to conceal my grin, even bringing my forefinger to my nose. “I think you shouldn’t turn your back on her.”

Soren’s long and heavy sigh precedes him, closing his eyes once more, nestling further into the hay. “Clearly,” his lip twitches into something like reluctant admiration. “Although I kind of like her. Her attitude stems from a deep loyalty. That’s wortheverything…But that’s not the point, Miss Jane.” His pale eyes lazily lift open, the faintest lines of crow’s feet deepening as they pin me in my spot. “Tell me of your plans, love. I can tell something changed.”

My mind skips over Cypress as if it was a dream; Itreatit like a dream, as that’s the only way I might be able to get away with this. “I’ve decided I’m going to channel everything I have into wanting to kill those who ruined my life, and killed my mother.”

His brow arches in a detached amusement. “Have you everplottedrevenge before?”

“Well, yeah, of course. Like when Dicky stole my socks.Andmy shoes. I plotted a whole series of events, actually.”

There’s a distinguished pause that stretches between us. “What now?”

“One of the kids growing up here stole my socks. I tell you… I wanted to pluck his ears for that. It was the cold season, and he didn’t even need them. Just thought it was funny. I had to walk home with frozen feet.”

The corner of his mouth twitches, his restraint cracking just enough to hint at laughter. “I’m going to suggest that what you want to do now might be more complex thanthat.”

There I go smiling again, helpless in his wake. “What’s your point?”

“I might be good at something like this. So don’t treat me like I’m not here.”

There’s a moment of pure peace that sits over me, a calm that is so rare it’s sacred, chasing away the biting loneliness that’s become my new normal since Coalfell. Being near Soren reminds me a lot of when I first met Kathleen and how every encounter always went right. He continues to make me feel things that normalize who I am, to validate the side that not many would understand. Even the jagged, unpolished edges of me.