LOGIN"No." I tapped the cigarette to my lip and exhaled a ribbon against the glass. "Torontea is a safe place. It's the kind of place someone like her would want to hide." I had a gut feeling she was still here somewhere.I wanted to be out there snapping the city open with my own hands. Damn them for not having any surveillance cameras in their streets. So far, I'd been hacking into the cameras of restaurants, cafes, boutiques—anything I could lay my hand on. But there was still no sign of her.We'd been trying to keep the search as quiet as possible. If she felt the hunt, she'd run. She'd think it was Blayne. Her fear was something I couldn't afford. So, I put Katya out there. Had her go into the streets with Rali's picture, claiming to be her sister. Maybe the rumor of family would tug her into the light.But it's been over three days already. Three days and there was still no sign of her. Fuck, it was starting to feel like I was drowning."We'll keep searching. We'll find her," I offer
RALIThe shop sign still said "Closed."Morning light sifted through the stacks and laid quiet stripes across my shoes. A lace of frost veined the window where snow kept kissing the glass, blurring the outside to watercolor.It was beautiful. Peaceful. Furtuiousl"So, it's that time of the month where I make you work a little harder," My boss said, addressing all three of us over the counter.Steam climbed off her coffee; her eyes did the same to us. "It's just my own way of making you good sales reps. By week's end, whoever racks the most sales gets a special reward. All you have to do is convince a customer that wanted two books to get four. Let them see reasons why more is better"She sipped her coffee."We stock a whole flock of business-strategy titles," she added, one brow arched. "I trust you've been reading those and not just chapters on boyfriends. Good luck.""Yes!" Brielle clapped as soon as the door swung shut behind our boss. "I can feel it. I'm winning this.""Keep d
RALI"And these rows here are for the history lovers." She pointed at the shelves for me. "I know the store is quite big. That is why it's one of the most popular on here. But with time you'll get used to everything. And if you're confused at any point, you don't forget to ask the other girlies for assistance.""Sure. Thank you, ma'am.""Zerali, you need to promise you you'll be good." Her kind smile stepped aside for the manager. "Over here, I don't tolerate sloppy. You know, I don't even hire people without certificates, but Marovelle has been a good woman. Hell, I can't say No to any of her requests. I'm giving you a chance because of her. Don't make me regret it."I brightened, my fingers finding my necklace and smoothing the chain. "I do understand the length you're going for me, ma'am, and I won't take it for granted. I promise you won't regret it."She measured me with one last look, then nodded. "Good. Come now, let me show you these records."An hour later, I'd clocked in
"What is it, girl? Let it out before it rots." Marovelle tapped the table.I chewed my lip, eyes doing laps around the room. "Well... I've decided to get a job."Rosaline gasped, her hands flying over her mouth just before she screamed "Holy Shit!"Marovelle thumped her arm without looking. "I've told you to stop cursing, you uncultured thing.""Marv! Can you ignore my vocabulary and focus on the miracle? Our girl wants to start living!"Marovelle pulled a chair beside me and took my hand. "Are you serious, Rali?"I nodded shyly, my cheeks warming."Well, this is the best news I've heard all year! Where do you want to work? Would you like the restaurant?"I lowered my head, my whole mood sliding a notch. I'd actually like to work there as I'd get to assist and repay her in some way, but the restaurant was usually filled with too many people of mixed genders. I wasn't ready to breathe the same air as that many men, not yet."I... I think I'd prefer somewhere calmer. I'm sorry.""Yup. S
RALIOne Month Later"So, how were the dreams last night?" she asked, that warm, dimpled smile switching on like a small lamp."It was okay. I slept really good."Hands on my skin. A knife dragging down my back. Me screaming.Lies.I kept my practiced smile on as I looked at her.But there was always something about therapists seeing right through you.She parked a long stare on me then dropped a sigh. "Are you sure, Zerali?"The performance leaked out of my shoulders. "They did come for an hour or so. But it wasn't as intense as the other nights. Believe me, my nights have been more peaceful. You can ask Marovelle."She shook her head and scribbled something in her note. A few strands slid free of her high ponytail. When she straightened, she hooked them behind her ear."How about the task I gave in our last session? Did you make that friend?"This smile was bright and genuine. "I did! They loved the cookies and even promised to come over to the house some time so I could make mo
She yelled words that made no sense. Not immediately."She's my little girl!"Her hands dropped from surrender.Something cold hit me."She was taken from me." The sentence cracked in the middle. "They never let me have my little girl to myself. Everything... Everything I did was for her. To avenge her!"Tears ran in bright lanes down her cheeks. She raked her nails along her hairline like she was trying to unzip the pain and climb out of it.Ice-cold rage flooded my veins. I squeezed the gun tighter. "If you don't start talking you'll have your tears swapped for something red."She sagged into the nearest chair. Snot shined at her upper lip which she swiped away with the back of her hand."They made me a surrogate. That witch Gretchen was barren and couldn't have her own child. Her pathetic husband was desperate and forced himself on me. Gretchen was damn mad when I got pregnant. But she was all about public face. So, they kept me hidden, she faked a belly, and the world congratulate







