Chapter 20: 'Is mate a girlfriend?'

RUM

I held down the dumbass’s head so low that Rose couldn’t see—and hear—him. Then I hissed angrily, “I don’t want her to know my name, goddamn it!”

“Oh… now I get it.”

“Just call me ‘Rum’.”

“What in deity’s name is that?” asked the buffoon.

“IT DOESN’T MATTER, FOR GOD’S SAKE!”

It was then, the big friendly giant frowned with disapproval. “You’re defying the Goddess, Kee. You don’t even talk about her anymore. ‘For God’s sake’? We only believe in one Goddess and that’s the—.”

I stopped him before he said her name. “It’s just a fucking metaphor. Give it up.” I released him. “And don’t come here because of some stupid dream.”

“So we’re not whispering anymore?” The giant scratched his head.

*****

ROSE

“Yeah.” I found myself interrupting again, irritated at being left out. “Are you guys not whispering anymore?” I glared at Rum.

And he shot a cautioning finger at me. “I’m still your boss.”

I looked away in a defeated scowl as Rum interrogated his peer once more. “S