Stars of Fortune (The Guardians Trilogy 1)
Page 41
“Riggs.” Studying the newcomer, Sasha selected wineglasses. “And you met Bran.”
“And Sawyer.” Annika beamed at him.
“King.”
Her eyes went huge, her voice dropped to a reverent whisper. “You’re a king?”
As Riley snorted, Sawyer looked into those wide eyes, sea green, flecked with gold. “My last name’s King.”
“I’m Annika, first name . . . Waters, last name. Annika Waters,” she said more definitely. “Hello.”
“I think she’s a little high,” Riley said to Bran in an undertone.
“We climbed the steps to the house. It’s very high.”
“Good ears. You been doing some drugs, Annika?”
“No. Am I supposed to?”
“No.” Sasha sat across from her, set the portfolio on the table. “Where are you from?”
“My—family—we go many places.”
“Originally? Where were you born?”
“I don’t know. I was only a baby.”
Laughing now, Sawyer set the plate in front of Annika. “Got you there, Sasha.”
Annika picked up the fork, turned it to study, and very carefully stabbed a piece of penne. She slipped it into her mouth, then pressed her hands to her lips as she laughed. “Warm.” She speared a piece of cherry tomato, then a black olive. Closed her eyes a moment as she ate, then opened them, and ate more.
“It’s good stuff,” she said. She lifted the glass Riley had given her, sipped. “It’s good stuff,” she repeated. “I like wine, and this food. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Sasha opened the portfolio, took out the sketch of all six, then slid it across the table.
Annika let out a delighted gasp, traced her finger over her own face, then Sawyer’s. “It’s a picture. This is I, and this is Sawyer. Riley, Sasha, Brankillian. Bran,” she corrected. “Everyone is so pretty! But this one isn’t here?”
“No.”
“Where is he?”
“We don’t know. Do you know him?”
She shook her head. “I like my hat. Where did I get it?”
Rolling her eyes, Riley sat. “Why are you here?”
“Sawyer brought me.”
“No, Annika, why are you here, on Corfu. Why did you come with Sawyer?”
“Because Sawyer is . . . the one who came. I’m here to help find the stars.”
“You know about the Stars of Fortune?” Bran asked.
“Yes, everyone does.”
“Everyone?” Riley demanded.