Page 8 of Phoenix's Fire

"We don't have the space," Zasen said, looking at me. "We just moved things around so Ayla could have her own room. There's no way we can fit this new girl as well."

"I can," Jeera promised. "It's okay. We'll handle this."

"And I'm going to hold you to that," the mayor said. "I'm listing her as a refugee, but if she tries anything..."

"She's fucking pregnant!" Jeera huffed back, tossing her arms into the air to make her point. "That woman is so fucking pregnant, waddling is the biggest threat she'll be. I haven't even talked to her, but I'm willing to bet she came here for a chance. She knew her friend got out, and she would rather risk her life than deal with what goes on down there. Maybe she wanted a better life for her child, or herself, or who knows, but she risked it all to get here, so make your threats, Jerlis, but do not try to act like she's anything but a desperate and likely abused victim."

The giant of a man actually hung his head. "Sorry."

"Men!" Jeera groaned before turning back towards the market. "C'mon, Irrik. Keep up. I've got things to do!"

"Oh, and that's why I love you, Jeera," Irrik called even as he hurried after her. "Lansin, you're with us if you want a place to crash."

"Shit," Jeera said, stopping again to look back at me. "If I take the girl…"

"No men," I said. "Well, or very patient men."

Irrik just rubbed Jeera's shoulder. "Lansin and I can find a room. It's fine, beautiful. Besides, he's got the dogs."

"Mom," Zasen suggested.

Which made Jeera suck in a breath. "Yeah! She has room. Okay. Boys, come!" She snapped the words like a command to one of the dogs.

Irrik laughed and followed. I just jerked my chin at the new guy, Lansin. "You're gonna let her talk to you like that?"

"She's speaking my language," Lansin admitted. "And if you don't need me anymore, I want a real meal, a good beer, and a room with a very soft bed."

"Know where you're going?" I asked.

The man grinned. "Sounds like they do. If not, I'll find something. Not my first visit to Lorsa, after all. Shadow! Holly! Heel!"

And like Jeera and Irrik, he walked off. Unlike them, he had two of those large, strange dogs the Reapers liked so much following him. A tailless man was working on moving the cart, which made me think they'd handled where to store it and the horse.

That left me, Zasen, Kanik, and Jerlis - along with the milling crowd around us. Some had made their way back to the market. Others had gone home. Still, the cluster growing around us meant more people had stopped, and someone was going to start demanding answers soon.

"You want me to handle this?" I asked Jerlis.

"Sure," he said, sounding like he wasn't sure I could do it.

So I looked over at Zasen and Kanik. "A dress," I told them. "Shoes. Everything else can wait, but the girl is going to need those, and we need to prove to her that we are not the monsters she expects. Worry about those, and I'll meet you at the clinic when I'm done here."

"Got it," Kanik said. "Zasen, it's fine."

"Fucking Moles," Zasen grumbled, but he did follow Kanik.

So I headed for the stage. It only took two steps before people realized I was about to make an announcement. Someone whistled. Someone else called out a friend's name, making it clear people were waiting for this.

Climbing the stairs, I reached the top of the stage and turned, letting out a piercing whistle. From all sides, people were pushing closer, some coming out of nearby stores. Others walked this way from the market. Lifting my hands, I whistled again, drawing their eyes but refusing to start until the flow of movement had slowed to a crawl.

"Listen up!" I bellowed. "As many of you saw, another refugee was brought to us by the Reapers!"

"A Mole!" someone called out.

I nodded, making sure it was big enough to be seen at a distance. "A Molewoman! The Phoenix's friend. I do not know how she broke free yet, but she did. She's here. This woman is scared and helpless. She's confused and disoriented. The Phoenix and the Wyvern will make sure she's properly cared for, and she may have more information for us."

"Good! Then we can kill those fucking Moles!" someone yelled.

And the crowd cheered. I had to struggle not to smile, because it hadn't been that long since they'd been pissed about us taking in Ayla. Now she was a hero, and orin women were not seen as a threat. Well, mostly.

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