And waited.
Sascha hadn’t replied to my last message, which truly surprised me. I’d thought he’d come to the table once he understood the method behind my madness.
“Come on,” I muttered.
I read over my carefully constructed text again.
We need to talk.
I’m doing this for us, I swear.
Just give me the chance to explain how this will fix everything.
I waited for the message to show the usual delivered status. It didn’t.
Huh.Reception was fine.
I typed another text.
I wanted you to hear it from me.
The tribe asked me to resume head stewardship, and I accepted.
As head steward, I want you to know that you’re always welcome here.
Come home, Rhona.
Love, Andie.
I really did want her back and safe, but if she knew the head steward job was taken, she may extend her Bluff City visit by a few days too—which could make all the difference.
Clicking Send, I watched the space under the message.
Delivered.
I checked my message to Sascha again, but the delivery status still hadn’t changed. His phone battery must be dead.
Exhaling, I drew out my laptop and logged into the student portal. One good thing about two weeks on pack lands? I’d sent off my previous assignment and completed another. I only had one more for the semester. If I could scrap a pass on that, this degreewould be over.
Adding a bibliography to the end of the current assignment, I submitted it for better or worse. Then I settled in to watch a lecture on the strategic management of human resources. How fitting. In an hour, I’d address the tribe.
Three months ago, I’d been so nervous they wouldn’t accept me. Now, I just wanted to know if they’d accept me so I could get on with the job.
The lecture ended, and I shoved my laptop and half-ass notes in my bag.
Grr,the delivery status still hadn’t changed. Sascha would have plugged his phone by now—too many people relied on communication with him throughout the day.
I resent the message.
No change.
Bracing myself, I dialled his number. My insides flipped, and I shoved back from the desk to pace by the window.
“Sascha Greyson—”
I smiled widely. “Thanks for picking up.”
“—Leave a message.”
