Chapter 11
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Vesper
Vesper went straight for the fruit bars at the store. She scanned over the flavors until she found blueberry—Bellamy’s least favorite—then grabbed a few passionfruit for herself. They’d have a two day trolley ride there and two days back, so she needed enough food for the trip both ways.
Vesper was thinking they’d have fruit bars for breakfast, despite the fact it meant she’d spend four mornings pissing Bellamy off first thing—or maybe because of it.
Totally worth it. She’d get real food for their lunch and dinners and jerky for snacks.
That way Bellamy wouldn’t be too much of a bitch about the fruit bars.
She started down the aisle to see what no-cook, preserved foods were available for their real meals when a throat cleared behind her, interrupting her thoughts.
“Vesper,” a soft voice followed. It was too sickly sweet to be anything good. Vesper turned and came face to face with slitted yellow eyes.
“Bellamy around?” Claric asked casually. Vesper narrowed her eyes, but they refused to look at her, though their pointed ears twitched nervously and they picked at their fingers.
“No,” Vesper sneered. “What message do I need to deliver?”
Their lip twitched, ruffling the soft fur on their face. “I’d love if you could break her hand for me.”
Vesper snorted. “And here I thought you were her friend.” Her low tone was a warning. Claric paused and looked back up at her. They took a small step back and tried to smile.
“I am her friend,” they drawled. “Until she steals from me.”
Vesper glared suspiciously. “Wouldn’t have been you trying to kill her then, hmm?”
Claric’s eyes widened and they took another step back. “Of course not!” they hissed, voice low and worried, like they were scared Vesper would kill them for the very thought.
Vesper studied them as they twitched and looked pleadingly before she decided they wouldn’t do that. Claric was too much of a coward to hire a shit killer to go after an assassin. Plus, Vesper suspected they did actually like Bellamy, given the fact she hadn’t been banned from the cards house yet.
“What’d she do?” Vesper asked with a sigh and Claric relaxed immediately.
“What do you think?” They hissed, Vesper raised an eyebrow.
“Cards?”
“You tell her, if I find one more of her marked cards in my deck, I’ll cut her hand off myself.”
Vesper shrugged. “Empty threats, Claric. She knows that. She’s not gonna stop.”
“That’s why I need you to deliver the message with… enthusiasm.” Their sickly sweet tone returned, and they smiled innocently at Vesper.
Vesper ran a hand through her hair. “We’re on assignment tomorrow, can’t incapacitate her. I might actually need her to not be useless for once, but I can pass along the sentiment.”
Claric sucked their teeth like they were going to try to talk Vesper into more, but when they looked back and saw her face, they nodded and ducked their head before scampering off.
Vesper shook her head, a little smile formed.
She hated dealing with Claric, but she couldn’t wait to pass that message along.
They both knew Claric wouldn’t do anything, but the look on Bellamy’s face would be priceless. Maybe Vesper didn’t need to be such a dick about the fruit bars after all.