Depravity (A Beastly Tale Book 1)(4)

"And I'm hiding it in the usual spot," Blye continued. "I wish Benella  didn't even know I'd been working on it. What if she mentions something  to Father?"

My smile faded as I listened.

"We'll keep her busy searching for more things to use. It should be fine," Bryn said.

"I'll give the coin of every third sale to Father just like I did when  that fat cow paid me. I still can't believe she said she couldn't afford  to keep me on. I sew better than she does. She'll lose business fast  now, I swear. I hate this town and refuse to be stuck here for the rest  of my life."

"At least you can save decent coin to leave. What I've put aside in  change from Father's food allowance is nothing in comparison," Bryn  complained.

How could they withhold any coin from Father? He provided us with food and shelter and love. I didn't understand them.

"I told you, if you marry Tennen, you won't have to worry anyway. Their  mother is one of Mrs. Stinich's best customers. They obviously have  money."

Although the news that they were hiding coin away annoyed me, I refused  to act on my emotions as impetuously as they did. Turning away from the  window, I quietly walked around the house and entered through the front,  making plenty of noise. Both came out with smiles and asked what I'd  found. I didn't feel too badly when I admitted there was nothing.

"What about the web? Surely you could have taken that if the spider was gone," said Blye with a hint of reprimand.

"The spider took the web with him. There was nothing left."

She glowered at me for a moment before smoothing her face into a  sympathetic expression. "Thank you for trying. The estate is fickle.  Perhaps tomorrow will be better."                       
       
           



       

"Could you take some of the carrots to the bakery and see if you can trade for bread again?" Bryn asked, changing the subject.

"I'd rather not. It's hard to catch Mrs. Medunge, and the baker refuses to trade."

"I heard from Tennen that the baker looks kindly on you. I think you just need to ask again," Bryn said.

I really didn't want to approach the baker again.

"Is there nothing left of the coin we set aside for food?" I asked without a hint of recrimination.

"No," Bryn said, turning away. "I'll make do with a soup tonight, but meat and bread would be appreciated tomorrow."





Two


I forced myself to approach the baker after three days of little game or  harvest from the estate. Taking my time, I walked to town with my bag  slung across my chest. The wilting carrots thumped against my hip with  each stone-kicking stride. Because of my musings and lack of  concentration, I didn't see Tennen and Splane idling against the  tinker's building until they spoke to me as I passed.

"Well, hello, Benella," Tennen said.

Startled, I turned to face him instead of ignoring him. His eyes  narrowed on me. I looked around at the light foot traffic and saw no one  near enough to help me. The baker's side door opened and Sara, looking  flushed, stepped out with a loaf of bread.

My eyes darted from her to Tennen. He shook his head slowly.

"Bad timing," he said harshly.

My first instinct was to run, but I knew they would catch me before we  cleared town. While trying to think of a way to avoid a beating, I  gained the baker's attention, and he called to us.

"You boys walk your mother home. Benella, come inside and let's see what goods you have to sell."

Run and risk a beating or face the baker?

"Not so much better than the rest of us, now, are you?" Splane said softly.

His statement confused me. How had I ever given them the impression I  thought of myself as better? I had crouched, hiding behind the crates by  the baker's shop for hours, cold and hungry, waiting for Mrs. Medunge  to appear. The whole village was poor with the exception of the baker.  Shaking my head, I turned and walked toward the horrid man.

Sara didn't meet my eyes as I passed her, not that I blamed her. I hoped  for her sake, the baker's price wouldn't climb any higher.

The baker grinned at me in welcome and held the door open, but I stopped  a few feet away, reached into my bag, and offered him a carrot for  inspection. From the corner of my eye, I watched the Coalre family walk  away.

"Come now, Benella. There's no reason to do this outside. Come in."

"I'd rather not. Are you interested in trading carrots for bread, today?" I asked bluntly.

"We've enough carrots. Perhaps we can come to some other arrangement."

Swallowing a gag, I took a moment before answering.

"I think not." I placed the carrot back into the bag and turned to leave  with the hope that both Tennen and Splane would be well away already.

"Benella," the baker said. "I've always thought you a pretty thing. My  mother commented the other day on how pleasant you are to talk to and  reminded me of my very unwed status. Perhaps, it's time to change that."

I ran and didn't look back.

I caught up with Father on the path to our cottage. At the sound of my thumping feet, he turned with a smile on his face.

"Anything interesting from the estate today?"

I slowed to walk beside him, heart hammering and stomach heavy. How  could the baker even hint at marriage? The thought of his heavy body  pressed against mine sickened me.

"Bini, what's wrong?" Father asked, stopping. His blue, watery eyes studied me with concern, really seeing me for a change.

"The baker hinted at marriage."

"Ah..." he said enigmatically. "And that upset you?"

"Yes. I know I won't be able to live with you forever, but I would  choose a man I could care for. One that wouldn't smother me in my sleep  with his girth."

"Bini," he chided.

"He's not a good man, Father," I said firmly, hoping he would understand.

"Then, don't take his hint seriously."

Having his support calmed me. We walked the rest of the way home in silence. Bryn had no supper waiting when we returned home.

"No bread?" she asked. I shook my head and handed her the carrots.

"No worries, dears," Father assured us. "I wasn't hungry, anyway." He drifted to his study, leaving me to face Bryn's frown.

"Did you even ask?"

"Yes. He was quite clear that he wasn't interested in trading for  carrots. I told you, I only have luck with his mother." I didn't like  her tone, especially when I knew she had coin hidden aside that could  have bought the bread.                       
       
           



       

She sighed.

"Can you try to set traps yet today? Perhaps we could have something fresh for Father at breakfast, then."

For Father, I nodded and headed back out toward the mist-filled woods.  The sun hung low in the sky, sending the already dusky woods into  further shadow. The dark didn't bother me. I set a few traps and walked  toward the break in the estate's wall, hoping for some type of bounty.  The ground sat barren, the same as it had for the last several days.

While staring dejectedly at the brown patch of dirt, I heard a faint  scuffing sound behind me and turned in time to see Tennen step out from  behind a tree. He held a thick segment of a broken branch. The  determination in his gaze told me I wouldn't go home without injury this  time.

Pivoting, I thought to run away, but Splane stepped out from behind  another tree, effectively blocking the route. The hole in the wall  mocked me. It was the only open path, but I knew what waited if I dared  take it. No matter what I chose, I'd return home with bruises and most  likely something broken.

"What did I ever do to you?" I asked Tennen, who I viewed as the bigger threat.

Instead of answering, he rushed toward me with the branch raised. I  waited on the balls of my feet until the last second, then ducked under  his swing in an attempt to get behind him so I could run. The movement  hadn't been deep enough though because the branch raked my back. I  hissed in pain, but kept moving. The gate loomed ahead, but I knew I  dared not enter. I tried veering to the left toward the village, but  Splane threw his rock and hit my left shoulder, effectively driving me  toward the entrance. Defeated, I acknowledged they meant to corral me  into the estate and darted toward the gaping black iron gate.

They chased after me, panting heavily in their exertion to catch up. As  soon as I cleared the opening, the gate slammed shut of its own accord,  the clang of the metal sounding my doom.

Skidding to a stop, I spun to stare at their disdainful faces a distance  from the iron bars. They weren't stupid. The bars didn't guarantee  their safety. The beast had been known to venture out on occasion.

Splane saluted me in farewell and took off running. Tennen waited,  watching me. When his eyes widened and the color drained from his face, I  knew the beast had arrived. I watched Tennen spin and sprint away then  hung my head in defeat. My back burned and shoulder ached. Had I a  choice, I wouldn't have run through the gate. I had known it would only  add to my hurts.