Page 29 of The Sirin Sisterhood (The Sons of Echidna #2)
She was met with awkward silence as everyone focused on their food.
Was it rude to talk while they were eating?
She felt Lai’s foot gently bump against hers.
Maybe it was; there was complete silence as the meal went on.
It was a little uncanny. All her life, meals were loud and full of laughter, time to catch up and entertain. Not here. Here, they ate in silence.
Sabira came to the rescue, noticing Lucy’s uncomfortable shifting.
“Well, good thing you’ve had a change in management. Now, how can we help you? It isn’t often we have Americans visiting our humble land.”
Oh, thank the Gods. It was so hard not to talk, and even harder having to listen to people eat—the chewing, the clanking of spoons, the gulping swallows? Lucy was at the end of her tether.
“The manor and the ground it sits on is under the control of Aris’s ex-partner, Eleanore. We need some assistance getting it back, but given its nature, asking for help through traditional channels isn’t really an option,”she explained, snagging a couple of dumplings for her plate.
Lucy noticed a subtle tilt of Freya’s head. She couldn’t see her face, but she could feel the eyes studying her.
“You need warriors?”Agata tapped the table, deep in thought.
“Unfortunately, Rusalka’s Sunday is in three days.
Every student is expected to participate.
We can not dishonor the water spirits by abandoning them, even for a noble cause.
”The woman paused, giving Lucy a look that was filled with steel.
“And there is the matter of your outstanding balance. You’ve inherited the family. With them, you’ve also inherited the family’s debt. Your predecessor owes us a hefty sum.”
“That’s why we brought this.”Lucy motioned to Klein, who produced the bloodied leather jacket still snugly wrapped around the amphora. He slowly opened it, revealing the ornate ocher and black jar. Agata’s eyes widened, flashing with a spark of greed as she reached for the ancient artifact.
“Hope is long gone,”Lai warned as he joined the conversation, ignoring the displeased looks of the women around him. He hadn’t been invited to talk. “But it’s still a vessel that can hold all the magic you can pour into it and still have room for more.”
Oh, Agata was pleased; there was no doubt about it. She pulled the jar close, her lips curling in a delighted smile.
“That will cover your debt nicely, but we still can’t offeryouassistance. There is no allocation of resources towards anything but coven business during Rusalka’s Sunday.”
Lucy exhaled involuntarily, head hung in defeat. Without the witches, what hope did they have?
“But with the ceremonies starting soon, you could wait here. We can discuss it afterward,”Freya suggested. A loud bang under the table told Lucy that the girl wasn’t playing along with her sisters, her shoulders tensing in pain from what sounded like apowerfulwhack.
Lucy was grateful. Freya was throwing her a lifeline.
“How long does this ceremony last for?”Lai asked.
“Three days for the trials and the rest of the week for celebrations.”Sabira volunteered an answer, speaking to Lucy as though she was the one asking.
Two out of three sisters were at least willing to talk. Lucy liked those odds.
“Would it be okay for us to stay? I’d like to know more about your culture, even if you can’t help.”Lucy smiled, lying to be polite. Sabira smiled back, approving of Lucy finally using some tact.
“I will have to discuss it with my sisters. Until we have decided, you may use one of the empty cottages as your lodgings. After such a long and disappointing journey, you and your companions must be exhausted.”The irritation in Agata’s voice thickened her accent, making her hard to understand.
“It will be my pleasure to show them to their rooms,”Freya volunteered excitedly, much to her oldest sister’s disapproval. She turned to Lucy. “You can’t stay together, though. Usually, men aren’t even allowed into the village, but we’re making an exception this time.”
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Freya pointed to a cottage on the very outskirts of the clearing. “There you go, make yourselves comfortable. I will leave bedding at the door for you to use.”She didn’t bother to lead the men to the little building. Lucy just shrugged to Lai and Klein, giving them an apologetic smile.
I’ll see you guys in the morning ,she mouthed to themas Freya grabbed her hand and pulled her back towards the heart of the village, leading her back into the long-hall and through to the boarding quarters, separate from the main hall.
It reminded Lucy of the dormitories at her and Xim’s old private school, but far more homely and warm.
The brightly lit room with bare wood walls was surprisingly cozy.
Despite the simple setup, it had everything Lucy needed to be comfortable: a soft-looking bed with plenty of hand-made quilts, a table, and a chest for her belongings.
Hanging bunches of herbs filled the space with the pleasant aroma of lavender and something Lucy couldn’t recognize, floral and sweet.
She didn’t know if it was the journey, the herbs, or the mug of vodka she’d gulped down, but Lucy felt her body begin to relax and demand rest, her knees turning to jelly.
“If you need anything, my room is just down the hall, the one with sunflower paintings.”Freya smiled, finally lifting her veil.
Lucy couldn’t help but stare. The woman’s features were a harmonious blend of delicate and alluring, the kind of timeless beauty that she recognized from old black-and-white movies.
The curve of her full lips, graced by a gentle smile, made it hard not to trust her completely, drawing Lucy in like a moth to the flame.
She had to physically shake herself out of her stupor, hoping she hadn’t been staring too hard. “Thank you. I’m grateful, really. I had no idea what to expect when we came here.”
“Don’t let my sisters scare you,”Freya laughed, removing her veil entirely, her golden braid tumbling down over her shoulder. She took Lucy’s hand into hers, her touch so cold it sobered Lucy up enough to feel the anxiety that she had almost drowned out with vodka.
“As long as your companions behave, we will, too.”