Ch. 10 - Palma’s Slum Lodging
A small, stone-built structure.
In a wide room dotted with expensive furnishings, I sat across a large table from the muscle-bound Alex.
“To put it simply, Dietrich, my clan wants to keep you.”
“Talk to Abby about that.”
“That can't be. Don’t think I’ll let you pretend you forgot what you said to Annette this morning.”
That stung.
I still didn’t fully understand my rank as a priest, but I knew this much: the words of a powerful priest carried weight—like a curse.
Abby and Annette’s frightened faces hadn’t been my imagination.
“…I’m sorry. What I said then was a mistake. I take back my words.”
Alex smiled with satisfaction.
“Good. Now, take back the part about never showing my face in front of you ever again."
“Fine. I take it back.”
I tossed a piece of incense into my mouth, rolling it between my teeth.
“Then we’re done here.”
“Of course we’re not. We haven’t even started.”
“I don’t care. Talk to Abby.”
I had taken a vow of poverty. Abby provided the little I needed. Aside from food, clothes, and a roof, I had no desires.
“Haha. You’re thorough, I’ll give you that.”
I rose from my seat in front of the silent, twitching Alex.
She frowned, her brows quivering.
“You’ll still do the work we give you!”
“Don’t make me repeat myself. Talk to Abby.”
With that, I left Alex’s room.