Thea had just walked out of the kitchen. She was wearing a blue jean pleated mini skirt, a pink crop top, and black heels.
"It must have been nice spending nights out," Thea said.
Vessara did not move. She could not move.
"Mom!" Thea called out, her voice loud in the quiet house. "Dad! Vessara is back!"
Panic filled Vessara's chest immediately. She could not breathe. She could not think. She moved a few steps back.
Thea walked closer. Her eyes dropped to the large paper bag in Vessara's hands. She tilted her head. Then she reached out and snatched the bag before Vessara could pull it away.
"No," Vessara said. Her voice came out small.
Thea was already backing away, pulling the bag open, and looking inside.
Footsteps pounded on the stairs. Leander came down fast, his boots hitting each step hard. Thalia followed behind him, still in her night robe even though it was almost ten in the morning.
