OMARI HARU #2
Motioning at the woman who’d greeted him first, Jules started, “This is Case. She handles a lot of our logistics of moving supplies and people from other places into Bellcairn.” He lifted his hand and pointed to the older man.
“That’s Quill. He’s former Damardor military, and he’s working out our overall plan for getting someone into the government building.
” He moved to the woman next to him. “This is Hayden. She’s an experienced protestor and rabble-rouser, as she likes to put it.
She’ll be our boots on the ground for mobilizing the crowds during the flag-raising ceremony.
” He nodded to the other young man who looked to be in his midtwenties.
He stood at the rear of the group in what looked like the kitchen.
“Back there, that’s Nigel. He’s the king of intelligence.
He’s the one who has gotten his hands on the chancellor’s official itinerary and other security plans for when Feng is in town. ”
Haru cocked his head and smiled at Jules. “How do you fit into this group?”
Jules’s easy expression seemed to wobble, but Case jumped in without missing a beat. “Jules has been with our group for only a year, but he’s been helping me a lot with logistics and procurement. If we need it, Jules has found ways to wheel and deal so that we have it.”
“You’ve got to be exhausted and hungry,” Quill broke in. He raised a hand and motioned for them to follow him deeper into the house. “We’ve got some rooms prepared for you. You can relax for a bit while we fix something to eat. It won’t be anything fancy.”
They passed through a kitchen, which was chaotic with stacks of boxed and canned food. No, it wouldn’t be anything fancy, but considering the state of Bellcairn, Haru was sure they were lucky to have food at all.
“Simple fare is fine. We need some rest while we wait for the others,” Haru murmured.
As they left the kitchen, they followed Quill down a narrow hallway, passing what appeared to be a dining room overflowing with laptops and stacks of paper.
The living room was next, and it was filled with stacks of signs, all with catchy protest slogans in bright colors.
In the main foyer, Quill paused with his hand on the banister next to a set of stairs leading to the second floor.
He glanced at Jules. “I’ve put you in the blue bedroom on the third floor.
Case and Hayden are sharing the other bedroom on the third floor.
Nigel and I have one bedroom on the second floor, but we’ve been crashing most nights on the couch or in a chair. ”
Quill led them up the stairs and pointed out the two rooms that had been put aside for them, leaving it to Haru and Tyche to figure out how to double up.
Not that there was anything to discuss. Haru selected the room closest to the stairs and the front door, happy to act as the first layer of defense should someone try to attack their haven.
He stepped inside and closed the door but didn’t move, as he listened to the footsteps of the others as Quill returned to the first floor and Tyche crossed to the bedroom he would share with Shey.
His own room was plain but pleasant, with white walls and a single window that was covered with thick curtains.
There was a bed that was far too small to fit both him and Adrian comfortably, but that meant they would have to lie cuddled together through the night.
Muffled voices from the first floor filtered up, and he listened for a few minutes, but they said nothing to indicate they were plotting evil things against them. It was mostly idle curiosity about their new guests and wanting more details on their journey.
Once all was quiet in Tyche’s room, Haru slipped out of his bedroom, padded down the hall, and knocked on Tyche’s door.
He didn’t wait for the god to reply but opened the door and slipped into the room.
Tyche stood at the window, peering out through a tiny crack he’d opened in the curtain.
He also had one window, but Haru was pretty sure Ty’s window faced the backyard while his own bedroom window faced the street.
Tyche allowed the curtain to fall closed as he turned to Haru. “Something wrong?”
Haru shook his head. “Worried. Can I ask you a favor?”
“Sure.”
“That thing you do with the bones. Can you read them for me?”
Ty grinned and shoved his hand into his pocket.
He pulled out his fist and showed Haru the slender sticks carved from chicken bones.
He plopped on his bed with a bounce and rattled the bones together in his palm.
“What would you like to know? Remember that I can’t guarantee true fortune-telling. This is about odds and luck.”
Haru nodded, knowing that Tyche couldn’t guarantee him anything. He was grasping at straws. “I wish to know if Adrian is safe. Shey, too.”
Tyche rolled his eyes. They both knew that while Haru wished for Shey to be unharmed, all of his mind was turned toward the well-being of his mate.
He cupped his hands together and rattled the bones together.
“That’s a little vague. We need something more concrete.
How about…what are the odds that Adrian and Shey will reach this house without serious injury? ”