Favored By The Villain

was avoiding looking into her eyes and was stumbling over his words was evident that he was hiding the truth.
However, she was willing to let that slide.
Whatever they talked about was not her business, and she would find out soon enough, anyway.

“I see.” She said, stroking her chin with her hand.
“Thank you for telling me, Jedian.
I will take it from here.
I’ll inform the Kraidens and soon all this will be swept under the rug, like it never happened.” She stepped to one side and opened the bedroom door.
“Which is what I want you to do.
I want you to walk out of this room and pretend we never had this conversation.
As far as you and I are concerned, we never met.”

“Are you sure?” Jedian jumped to his feet.
“If the others find out that I told you, they’ll…”

“They aren’t going to go, are they? Because you are going to keep your mouth shut.” Merril said, gesturing to the door.
“Now get going before someone comes along and finds us here.”

*

Levisia watched from her bedroom window as some of the Kraidens had taken it upon themselves to explore the estate.
She was content to keep herself in her room, the door locked so the Kraidens who didn’t go out couldn’t wander in and disturb her peace.
Not that she could get much peace.
Her mind was racing as she thought back to Jedian, who had looked like he had lots to say to her.
Yesterday he was a little odd.
But she was just speculating.
After all, how much would she know about someone who she’d only met three times in her entire life?

She nearly jumped out of her skin and knocked her tea pot over at the sound of the door knocking.
Holding her breath, she waited to see if whoever was on the other end would knock again.
If they did, it was Pel, and she would be able to unlock her door.
To avoid the Kraidens, the two of them had devised a special knock so she would know exactly who was knocking at the door.

She left the seat by the window and hurried over to unlock the door.
As soon as Pel was safely inside, she locked the door back again.

“Don’t get too comfortable, I’m afraid.
We’ve been called down for lunch.” Pel shook his head.
“There is something strange about this place.
It’s like the entire estate has fallen into a slump, with all its inhabitants deprived of energy.”