Kai sighed but respected her sister’s right to autonomy.She left the room.
Chapter Sixteen
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After she forced thedoor closed, she headed down the stairs.She smiled when she saw Tana already at the bottom, staring up at her.
“I’m sorry.Have you been waiting long?”she asked the older woman.
“No.I was coming up the stairs to see if you wanted your midday meal before we went to Ninki’s.”
“I’d rather get this over with first.”Kai’s stomach was tight.She felt anxious about the coming encounter.She doubted she could get more than a bite or two down.Kai hated confrontations but wouldn’t allow the other woman to keep her jewelry longer.
Tana nodded.“Then we’ll proceed.”
Their brisk pace caused the thigh-length hem of her dress to flutter against her skin.After what Aodh had done before he left and the erotic dreams she’d been tortured with as she slept, Kai had selected the short dress because she felt sexy and wanted to tease him when he got back.The long strides required to keep up with the older woman made her wish she had worn loose-fitting pants.
As they walked, Tana pointed out the homes of the different people in the territory.Most of them, Kai, had no clue who they were, but thankfully, Tana prefaced her announcements with the people's positions.It so happened that Ninki lived past the practice arena between the previous head of security and two mated growers.
“Here we are.”Tana started toward the dark-gray door of the two-story stone structure.
Golden daffodils accented the front of the home and continued along the length of the place on both sides of the door.
Kai didn’t want to like anything about Ninki, but she had to be honest and admit that she found the feminine touch of the house lovely.
At the door, Kai allowed Tana to give it a firm knock.Kai doubted Ninki would have heard her soft tapping through the door.
She took a fortifying breath as they waited.
Moments later, the tall, toned, exquisite Drahk female stood at the open door.Ninki managed to pull her straight, long, luxurious tendrils up high and tight in a twisted bun that accentuated her sharp features.Aodh’s ex-lover stood in a long, moss-colored dress with a split so high that it showed her bare hip and part of her narrow waist.
Kai could not help but feel dowdy in the short number she wore when moments ago she’d thought she looked sexy.
“Hello.”Ninki’s almond-shaped gaze took in Tana, then Kai.“I wasn’t expecting visitors.What do I owe the pleasure?”
The woman’s face was void of expression, leaving Kai unsure if Ninki was being sarcastic.