She could tell Charley was well rehearsed on how she presented herself; noticed it in the quick change in demeanors. One moment Hestia could see underneath the veneer, all the way down to a vulnerable child who didn’t know where she would get her next meal. The next, Charley’s arrogance cloaked everything in a perfect shroud. Hestia knew the act well, and it at least assured her that Charley knew how to look after herself…to an extent.

She still didn’t like this Meriwether woman; made a mental note to look further into her and see what she could find. Charley seemed beholden to her enough, but Hestia was more interested in the matter of loyalty. Frowning even more, Hestia crossed her arms, eyes looking over the book. It was the one she had come to get, that was for sure, but she wasn’t about to mention that to Charley. Not yet, at least. “And what were you to do with the book once you had it in your possession?” She prodded further.

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