A Little Broken [Three Trinities Haven Church]

[Oriena]

A sly smile twitched, the tease a dare: it was why she offered, knowing his reputation for abstinence despite what he peddled. Oriena was always more pleasant as a co-conspirator, but she did like a reason to be riled. By the wicked glint in her eye, she was moments from tipping the vodka right in the flames he so coveted. The bottle swung menacingly by the neck, but ultimately she decided she could tolerate the company, and she tipped a permissive shoulder instead. If all he wanted for his goods was to share the fire it was hardly an imposition. “What do you have?” she asked. Though by her bored tone she was not entirely interested.

She watched him palm the object in his hand, study it, offer the other one to the flames.

“Sweetheart, the easiest way to avoid being hunted is to become the hunter.” She sounded scathing, dismissive. But for all her apparent apathy, she was watching him.