Page 33 of Rule

“Strange, considering that not two days ago,you told us that you’d never been in a vehicle. Is that not right, Bran?”

“Court, do not -”

“Is that not right?” Court repeatedslowly.

“Yes,” Bran said.

“Were you lying before, or lying now?” Courtasked me.

I swallowed hard, my hand tightening aroundmy spoon in a fist. The familiar fear was stealing into my chest, making it tighten,making it hard to breathe, to think past the panic.

“Answer me, human.”

“Before,” I whispered.

I knew immediately that I’d made the wrongchoice. Court’s eyes flashed copper fire and his nostrils flared as he draggedin a breath. “Stop lying, human. We saw the bruising on your side. Who hurtyou? Tell us immediately.”

My hand touched the foot-shaped bruise onmy ribs and when I didn’t answer, he slammed his hand down on the table. A whimperof fear escaped my throat and I pushed my chair back, my arms crossing acrossmy torso and my hands automatically trying to cover my kidneys and liver.

“Uda, mean.”

Court froze before turning to stare atBella. Her little face was drawn down in a scowl and she pointed her faven-coveredspoon at Court. “No be mean to girl, Uda. Bad, Uda. Bad!”

Bran patted her arm. “Uda did not mean toyell, meena.”

“Bad, Uda.” Bella’s scowl grew fiercer andshe puffed her chest out before her long purple tail snaked out from behind herand made a jabbing motion at Court. She certainly wasn’t afraid of the angryDraax. “Say sorry to girl, Uda.”

Court’s tail was flicking rapidly in theair behind him and his chest was rising and falling rapidly. He gripped theedge of the table before studying me again. “I am sorry, human.”

I nodded. Fear had made my throat dry as abone and my heart was beating faster than a havoc cruiser hitting hyperdrive. Myhand shaking, I picked up my glass of juice and drained it dry before standing.“Please excuse me.”

My legs trembling, I walked out of thekitchen.

* * *

“No, Evie, you can’t go out there,” I whisperedto my reflection in the bathroom mirror before returning to the bedroom, climbingback into the bed and pulling the covers up. I laid on my uninjured side and closedmy eyes. I was freezing again, more from the never-ending chill in my bedroom,rather than being injured, and I buried my cold nose under the covers as myback and side ached dully.

It was early afternoon. After the horriblescene at breakfast, my determination to stay in my room was renewed. But thatwas before the craving for the juice had come back. I groaned, trying to ignoreboth my gallberry juice cravings and the way my stomach growled with hunger.

“Hi, girl!”

I screamed thinly and almost fell out of thebed. I rolled over and stared wide-eyed at Bella who was lying under the coversof my bed. Her dark brown eyes were full of glee and she sat up when I did,sitting cross-legged on the bed.

I glanced at the door to my bedroom. Itwas closed and I stared at Bella. “How did you get in here?”

“Door,” she said and pointed at it. “Girl,napping?”

“Um, yes. Sort of,” I said. “Honey, you haveto stop coming into my room, okay?”

“Okay,” Bella said before touching myhair. She scooted closer. Her tail poked at my face and I tried to bat itaway. She slid into my lap while I was distracted and clung to my sweater whenI tried to lift her off my lap.

“No, girl!” she shouted.

“Shh, honey,” I said with a nervous look atthe door. “Shh, okay?”

“Shh,” she said before holding her handnext to mine. She studied my pale skin then traced her fingers along the backof my hand. “Pretty.”

“Thank you,” I said.

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