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Able and Mali crouched in the pantry, watching the kitchen through a crack in the slightly opened door

Mo to Jax, the man who had checked into their hostel yesterday

Soh Mali liked him a lot

Of course, what could you expect froh to understand that Jax was dangerous, erous as their father had been But what could you expect from a three-year-old…at seven, he knew better

"What are they talking about?" Mali whispered, biting her thuust

Mali never see It was almost scary how much she didn't know about the world If he wasn't around to take care of her…

But he would always take care of her, he reminded himself He was the man of their fa he'd better not forget

"You have to be quiet and listen," he whispered back "I'll explain everything later, but I want to hear what they're saying If you keep talking we'll "

Mo now She was upset; he could hear it in her voice

"You know, I'm sick and tired of men who think they need to take care of women," she said harshly "I had a husband who took care of e on any wo into it It's a trap," she repeated

Moht They had all been trapped with dad He hurt them Of course, Able was able to take dad's licks, but it had been too much for Mali He looked down at his sister protectively; re what her little face had looked like, all bruised He was glad dad was dead He wished Aunt Calla wasn't leaving Mo into it Just thinking about it made the lump in his stomach swell and burn

Jax was talking now The sound of his voice made Able's stomach feel worse, but he forced himself to listen

"That's not true," Jax said "For a Saurellian—"

"Don't give , and Able was proud of her for standing up to him She stood and paced across the floor, aret out of ht him here; you're responsible for this Go back to Saurellia, because I don't ever want to see you again"

Able's expression turned grim and his head started to throb Not only was Jax a threat to their etto stop hiain

"I'll give you some space, Sarai," Jax said "But I'ain"

"Don't threaten ht and harsh

"I would never threaten you," Jax said "And I'll never lie, either I'ood man, and I won't hurt you"

He left the roo to think Mali watched him carefully, her small face twisted in concern

"What's wrong, Able?" she asked in her soft, little girl's voice She plucked at his shirt, looking for reassurance

"Well, I think he likeswith Seth," Able whispered back Mali's face cru up in her eyes

"You ly, her small face pinched in pain "What e do without mommy?"