Page 42 of Forged in the Fire
How could living this type of life beimportant?
I was thinking more like a scourge.
Surprised guilt seemed to make her stumble a step, and her eyes widened in regret.
No question, she’d let something slip that she wasn’t supposed to.
“What does that mean?”
She pasted the first fake smile I’d seen her wear onto her face. “It’s nothing.”
Shucking it off like she didn’t have my brain swirling with questions, she pulled out ahead of me, dragging me along.
“Come on. If you think Lulu’s chicken smelled good, wait until you taste it.”
She angled us through a doorway and into another room.
It was like walking into another realm. The lights were brighter in there, and a few people were sitting at the three picnic tables that ran against the right wall.
On the left was a long buffet table.
The room basically a mess hall.
The delicious barbecue Elena was referring to was piled high on heated silver platters, and every side dish you could imagine was set out as offerings.
Trevan didn’t follow us.
I could only imagine he was leaning against the other side of the wall, standing like a sentry with his arms crossed over his chest.
An older woman was at the buffet, dumping a bowl of ribs slathered in sauce into one of the chafing dishes.
Her gray hair was twisted into a bun, and she wore a Crimson Crows T-shirt.
Tell me these guys didn’t actually have a fan club and merch.
“Lulu, look who I have!” Elena ushered me forward.
The woman’s eyes widened in appraisal before settling into welcome. “Well, if it isn’t our most anticipated guest.”
Guest?
That was a stretch.
“It’s about time you came down here and gave me a visit. And after I made my special French toast this morning just for you.”
There was no anger to it. Just a casual, easy warmth.
Uh, yeah, I’d skipped out on the breakfast Silas had mentioned last night since I would have gagged had I put anything in my mouth.
I shifted uncomfortably on my feet. “Oh, well, I’m sorry. I…wasn’t very hungry this morning.”
Her mouth stretched into a knowing grin. “Don’t you worry, honey. It’s a lot to take in.”
Wrinkles weathered her face, like tracks of harrowed memories.
Honestly, she looked like she’d been dragged to hell and back.
Worn down by years and tragedies.
