Page 21 of Sands of Atonement

I’d been out here for six hours, and the sun was directly above me, causing sweat to drip down my temples. I saw a woman enter the tavern from below with an older man. No doubt she was working.

In that precise moment, I heard a creak loud enough to pierce my ears—okay, maybe it was because I’d been so adamant about hearing any noise coming across the street, but there it was. The door of Khraus was opening.

Three women dressed in traditional Priestel garb—pastel pants with thin, flowing drapes that covered their shoulders and arms—came through the doors.

Like clockwork.

Without wasting another goddamn minute, I rushed to the wall of the rooftop and crawled down the side of the tavern using the indentations in the clay bricks to anchor myself. When it was a safe distance, I jumped the last ten feet and landed on my feet. Choosing to dress in pants this morning paid off. I pulled my scarf closer around my face after catching a couple of quizzical expressions.

My heart pounded as I trailed the three women. They sashayed closely together with hooked arms and spoke in hushed feminine voices. People parted for them as I prowled closer.

“She’s giving me a headache every night before I go to sleep. All I hear is, ‘Don’t do it like that, Norrah. Do it like this.’ I swear I’m going to lose it if she corrects me one more time!”

“Norrah.” The girl in the middle, dressed in soft pink with copper-colored hair, tilted her head toward the girl on her right and clicked her tongue. “That’s what Sorrella is there for. If she didn’t know what she was talking about, she wouldn’t be Head Priestel.”

“I know, Ana. I would rather she not show up in my dreams. I’m not getting the best sleep these days,” Norrah admitted.

They scouted an outdoor seating area and chose a table with a covering above it. Thank God, I was almost blinded by the amount of shining jewelry they wore around their ankles and wrists. How could they wear those earrings without their ears falling off?

I studied as the three asked for some beverages, and I chose to sit nearby, ordering a warm cup of kava.

“I’m glad we had a moment to get some fresh air today.” Ana let out a deep sigh before plopping her elbow on a pillow.

The third woman spoke. “She’s been working us tirelessly, especially with the palace’s celebration coming soon.”

Ana and Norrah hummed in agreement.

“I wonder how the new girl is going to make it work,” Ana murmured.

The waiter carried a platter of beverages to the women.

God fucking loved me. He was encouraging my revenge. I wasn’t religious, but I assumed this was what believers meant when they said he was watching over them. Because in this moment, we were on the same side for sure.

“She’ll be cutting it close. She’s arriving tomorrow, right?” the third girl asked.

If I could kiss God right now, I would.

I got up from my table and strolled toward the women and pulled my scarf back.

I flashed a wide grin. “I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation. I’m the new girl. It’s a pleasure to meet you before tomorrow!”

The wide-eyed girls dropped their jaws. A long pause—and I mean a long pause—occurred.

“Oh my God, where are our manners? My name is Suna. It’s so nice to meet you!” Suna exclaimed, pressing up from her pillows. She had short, dark brown hair with almond-shaped golden eyes.

“Come, sit with us.” Norrah waved her hand over to the empty pillows nearby. Her wrist showed a silver-inked band, glittering against the sunlight, before she pulled her sleeve lower.

I sat myself close to Norrah, who had the darkest but softest eyes. She had several freckles on her pale skin. No wonder she covered her body with two veils.

“Thank you,” I said.

“What is your name?” Ana asked from across the table.

So they didn’t know who this new girl was? “My name is Mara.”

Ana leaned forward. “Where is your uncle, Mara? I heard that he was escorting you?”

“Oh, yes. My uncle—he’s tired and sleeping off our travels. Is there anything I should do to prepare for tomorrow’s encounter with Sorrella?”