Page 34 of Cursed By Fate

“So I’m supposed to put up with it?”

“Depends on your tolerance level.”

“It’s bullying. The bylaws prohibit that. Just because she’s a crone doesn’t give her a free pass.”

“Would you like to file a formal complaint?” I imagined Meemaw’s response to an official complaint against her. Penny would regret her choices.

Penny chewed her lower lip. “That seems…unwise.”

“Listen, you have to show Meemaw that you’re not afraid of her. She’s testing your mettle, that’s all. Once you stand up to her, she’ll leave you alone.”

“Is that what happened with you?”

No. Meemaw and I recognized each other as potentially powerful allies from the start, but I didn’t want to make Penny feel bad.

“Like I said, Meemaw is a tough nut to crack. Be a nutcracker.” I had a hard time envisioning Penny in her fury role. If she was afraid of Meemaw, how had she lasted longer than a week with the Fates?

Penny blew a strand of hair out of her eye. “I suppose I should check on Francesca. See if she’s taking an early morning swim.”

“Good idea. Send me an evening report, would you? I’d like to know when she was in the water and for how long.”

“Yes, boss.”

“You don’t have to call me that. Maya is perfectly acceptable.”

Penny stopped at the doorway. “Thanks, Maya.”

“For what?”

“For being patient with me. I know I can be a lot.”

I balked. “What makes you think that?”

“The Fates were always commenting on my neediness. That I asked too many questions and didn’t know how to be quiet. If I hadn’t been injured, they might’ve been tempted to beat it out of me.” She forced a dazzling smile designed to minimize her statement.

I was surprised to learn she hadn’t been beaten. Violence was a nonissue for the Fates. Of course, they never got their own knuckles bloody. If a beating was required, it would be administered by someone else.

Penny continued to linger. “Why haven’t you asked me?”

“Asked you what?”

“What happened that forced me to leave their service.”

“You got injured. You’ve said that.”

“I know, but don’t you want to know the story?”

I maintained my composure. “Only if you want to tell me. It’s your business, Penny. I’m not entitled to that information just because we work together.”

My phone vibrated on the desk, and I was tempted to smash it with a hammer. Of all the moments to interrupt.

“I’ll let you get that.” Penny ducked out before I could object.

I glared at my nemesis, the phone. Vale’s name lit up the screen.

Exhaling, I answered the call. “Any update?”

“Another sighting. Whitemarsh Island.”