And then she saw him.
Vlax D’agryx.
His bald head gleamed in the overhead light, his massive shoulders encased in his customary dark suit.
How did he find me?
Ice ran through her veins, and she instinctively pulled Bo partly behind her.
“April?” Bo said. But it sounded like she was speaking from far, far away.
To April’s horror, the man began to turn around.
He was going to see her. She had no place to hide.
She pulled Bo fully behind her, hiding the small girl with her own body, and braced herself, ready to fight like an animal to protect her, if it came to that. April prayed it wouldn’t. Maybe he would just grab her and not notice Bo.
But as soon as he turned enough for her to see his profile, she knew it wasn’t him.
Vlax D’agryx had the smooth profile of a young boxer, and pale blue eyes that were so cold they seemed faintly reptilian.
The Terran in front of her had a big nose, and friendly, dark eyes.
“Excuse me,” April muttered, stepping aside so he could pass them to go to the cash register at the front of the store.
And then he was gone.
But she stood frozen to the spot, trying to drag breath back into her lungs as her heart slowed to a jog.
“April?” Bo said again.
“I’m sorry,” April said as brightly as she could manage. “My eyes were just adjusting to the light. Let’s go find that jam.”
“Are you scared, April?” Bo asked.
Gods, but the child was sensitive. Her lovely green complexion was lighter again, as if she didn’t like April to feel afraid.
“I’m scared they’re going to run out of jam before we find it,” April teased.
Bo giggled and they began walking through the shop, her color returning to normal.
April knew she should be looking for the right aisle, but right now she just needed her heart to stop pounding.
Bo pointed out the different foods, getting excited when she saw the bakery section.
“Do you want to choose a loaf of bread?” April offered. “We will need something to put all this jam on.”
Bo’s eyes lit up as she ventured over to the counter.
The shop was narrow, but surprisingly deep. And the bakery section was very well stocked.
Bo considered her options, with April reading her the descriptions on the note cards in front of each loaf behind the glass.
At last, she chose a loaf of Manterian whole wheat with cherry-apple glaze.
“That’s my favorite, little missy,” the big Bergalian man behind the counter told her as he carefully wrapped it in paper and handed it to them.
“Thank you,” Bo said in her sweet, clear voice. “Which way is the jam?”