A FEW HOURS LATER
ZAVIER
Evening did not bring peace, it brought fabric and that was somehow worse.
"I SENSE THREADS." Riko whispered dramatically as the doors opened again.
"You sensed them yesterday." Ben replied.
"I SENSE THEM AGAIN."Riko said.
"That's because they never left." Leo added.
"I ACCEPT RECURRING FABRIC."Riko said.
"STOP."John said.
Queen Rosana stood at the center of the room like a general preparing for war, except the battlefield was us and the weapons were silk, needles, and expectations.
"Positions." She said calmly.
"I DO NOT LIKE THAT WORD." Riko whispered.
"You shouldn't." Ben replied.
"I WILL RESIST."Riko said.
"You won't."Ben said.
"I ACCEPT-"Riko grinned.
The seamstress stepped in, Ina. She was here again. Stronger this time, prepared, judging.
"Oh no." I muttered.
"Oh yes." Riko said.
"NO."I said.
"YES."Riko said.
"STOP."I said.
She looked at me first then Adam, then our hands, then the mark on my neck. A slow, knowing smile.
