Page 3 of Fog of War
I saw the grin in Leopha's eyes before the smile hit her mouth. Venandi smiles were generally terrifying, and Leopha never hid that she was a predatory species. She preened, her white teeth catching the light. "Thatdoessound like my kinda fun, but me and Gabbie got plans."
Bonafide, now pushing through the screen door with an extra serving plate, and Juanita, her beer halfway to her mouth, both paused and looked at me. The amber porchlight felt as strong as a spotlight and I squirmed.
"No shit?" Bonafide said in her sweet, deep lilt. She smiled and let the screen door bang shut as she sat in the other rocker. "Well, I'm glad to hear that. Even if Juanita sulks."
"I'm not sulking."
She was definitely sulking.
Bonafide took a sip of her tea instead of commenting and redirected the subject. "So what plans do you have?"
"We're going to a venandi festival," I said with excitement, grinning from ear to ear. "It's kind of similar, apparently."
At that, both older ladies perked up.
"In Oregon? Hot damn! We should go too, babe. Venandi arefine."Juanita shuffled in her rocker with a saucy grin and grabbed Bonafide's hand as she laughed.
"Yeah, I'm pretty hot," Leopha sighed, flexing her impressive guns. She was the only venandi either of them had met. "But I only have enough cabin-space for one guest. Maybe next orbit, though? I can put in a request with my magistratus for whatever clans participate next. Venandi do love a good elder, so they'll see hosting you as an honor."
Wait.
My brow creased, heart thudding deep and fast with a sudden realization.
"I-it's not here? In Oregon?"
Leopha polished off the ends of her salami rolls and got to her feet, brushing off her palms. "Nope!" Then she grinned at me. A deeply evil, conniving grin. "It's on Aescipoli, of course. Oh, did I forget to mention that?"
A flustered blush blasted up my face like I'd stepped into a furnace. "No, you didnotmention that!"
"Ah," Leopha said with infuriating calm. "Whelp..." She shrugged with big innocent eyes. "Oops?"
"Oh mygod!"I barked at her with indignation. She’d definitely let it slip her mind on purpose.
Leopha bent down so that her face was inches from mine, a victorious hum in her mouth parts. She brushed off my shoulder, taking her time to detangle a few stray curls like a lion might groom a deer it planned to eat for dinner. "Don't sweat it, bestie. It's gonna be fun, and the Satoris clan will take good care of you. You've shown me a ton of your life. Now let me share some of mine, huh?"
"Halloween's only a week away! What about work? How long will we be gone?"
"'Bout a week. Takes two days for the chain-skip, both ways." She pressed a talon into my mouth as I inhaled to speak. "Don't worry about work. I already forged your request for time off."
"Lyomphuh," I said against the press of her finger. She moved it with a sheepish grin. "I have rent to pay. I can't just take a whole week off."
"Sure you can," Bonafide interjected. "We'll waive it."
"If you bring us a toy!" Juanita added in a snap. She winked. "Avenanditoy."
Leopha snapped her mandibles in agreement and latched onto their words. "Easy! Festival of Souls sells them–"
"Sells toys?!" I squeaked. "You do know what kind of toy they're–"
Leopha waved me off with a chuckle. "You want one that works with a strap-on harness? Double-headed? Vibrating?"
I buried my cheeks in my palms."Oh my god."
Bonafide took a calm sip of tea. "Dealer's choice, I'd say."
Was this real life?
Leopha claps her palms together. "Look at that, all squared away! Leave request approved, rent waived. Thank you, ladies, for the snack." She gave us all hugs, then stepped off the porch, backing up towards the open gate, pointing at me like an athlete on the field. "Andyoubetter wear your adventure pants."
