Shady

“O-oh we’d never ask for something like that, ma’am.” Talia shook her head quickly. “Thank you. But that… that’s not… that’s okay. Thank you.”

“…he’s even worse than I’d realized before,” she said quietly, looking down. “He hurt so, so many people. For fun.”

“…Because I’m awful.” She blushed, looking away. “And nosy… and it was before I knew any of you were still around. I wouldn’t ever read the journal of someone I ...

Except for the guilt. She nodded, blushing. To hell with it, may as well ask. “…Does Michael know I read his journal?”

“Oh, we’re just going to look, ma’am.” As if she had money.

Ky nodded. “I may start hanging around in there more, then. Maybe.”

Talia nodded. She was going to be exceedingly careful around them all regardless.

“That’s good to know.” She nodded. “… and Michael usually isn’t in the library?”

She forced a little, tired smile.

She nodded. “…thanks again… it… helped. Not being alone.”

“Oh my… that’s a lot of nobles all at once…”

“… a little.” She sighed. “I guess.”

“Oh…” she nodded. “Yes ma’am… I’m sure he’s very nice. I’d like to meet him, if he comes before I go home.” Which would hopefully be soon.

She rubbed her grainy eyes again and nodded. She felt stupid how to be sitting on the ground. Should she get up? And if so, where should she go? Sit ...

“Hell if I know,” she muttered, resting her forehead against her knees and sighing deeply. “Maybe never, at the current rate of things.”