Quoted By:
<span class="mu-b">“Kidnapped? All I did was bewitch her a little and suggest that she take a <span class="mu-i">teensy</span> step back.”</span>
<span class="mu-g">“And you did it without any of us noticing.”</span> Ana said, pressing the issue.
<span class="mu-b">“Oh, that? You were all paying so much attention to the fight that it was easy for me to work my magic. A few masked footsteps, a carefully placed decoy, a light projection that gives off a similar light to your portal remaining within the corner of your eye…”</span>
She waved her hand in a dramatic flourish.
<span class="mu-b">“And by the time you notice something is wrong, it is already too late.”</span>
Ana’s shadow deepened, but her prey was sitting comfortably inside of it.
<span class="mu-g">“Except, we caught you.”</span>
Flint took a step closer, and Ember hesitantly followed after.
<span class="mu-b">“I surrendered willingly.”</span> Ami Han corrected, looking mildly offended. <span class="mu-b">“I did it for Khonshu's protection, and the protection of the Moons.”</span>
<span class="mu-r">“‘Moons’? Last I checked, we only had one.”</span> you cut in, narrowing your eyes in suspicion. “Has bird beak been holding out on us?”
Cindy winced slightly, and you made a mental note to tone down the Khonshu criticism for the time being.
<span class="mu-s">“She's…talking about my parents.”</span> Cindy clarified.
You looked between both women with an incredulous look that you were sure they could infer, if not see outright through your mask.
<span class="mu-r">“You…want the protection of the people whose daughter's life you endangered.”</span> you said, slow enough so that you could make sure the words that were coming out of your mouth matched your short-time memory.
Ami Han's mouth quivered slightly, and, for the first time during this conversation, she looked uncomfortable. You watched her squirm in her seat as she gave you a somewhat shameful nod.
And you just threw your head back and laughed.
—--
Ten minutes later, you were still laughing. Cindy had explained what it was that brought Ami Han here, what she offered Khonshu to obtain his protection, and the reason why he wasn't available for questioning at this very moment.
It all seemed a little too convenient to you. And by the look on Ana and Flint's faces, they were of the same opinion. Both were eying Ami Han like she was a piece of meat when they thought she wasn't looking, but for entirely different reasons.
Keep those eyes in your head, Sandy.
Cindy was on edge around her too, but from the way she spoke while telling the story, you got the impression that she was somewhat torn on the matter.
And Ember just kept staring at her tails.
It looked like it was up to you to make sure Cindy wasn't in over her head.
(Cont.)