Chapter 30: Misunderstandings (1)
Yoa stared back at his friend, his voice level as he simply replied, "No."
Atia nodded like he expected as such. There hadn’t been any suspicion in his eyes, nor did he seem distrustful of his friend. Nova watched them, truly intrigued. She might not have known Yoa for long but he wasn’t a liar and if he has killed it always seemed out of survival and necessity.
Nova didn’t know who this Kanti was, but it was clear there was a misunderstanding.
"The others believe you killed her. This quarrel should be resolved, Yoa. You know this. Kanti was obsessed with you, and you left her body on Oncari land. Your scent is all over her. They will continue to hunt you down," Atia said, his tone quiet and serious, his expression not like the mischievous cat moments before.
Yoa sighed, extending his hand to the side. Shock froze Nova to the spot as she watched the ground rumble, splitting open as a small dark blade emerged, Yoa’s hand wrapping around it. Atia, on the other hand, watched, his expression calm as though he was accustomed to such a sight.
Nova’s shock turned into awe as she watched Yoa use the blade to start stripping the fish of its guts. He knew how to handle that blade well. She should really be paying close attention to this woman, Kanti, who was obsessed with Yoa and ended up dead. Instead she was admiring the way Yoa was using the blade, how skilled he was, the action automatic, dumping the guts aside in a large wooden bowl.
"Kanti’s obsession is what got her killed," Yoa replied quietly, his eyes subtly moving to the side in Nova’s direction; his brows furrowed like he was deep in thought, concern flashing behind those ethereal eyes before he was stoic once more.
Atia glances up at the high rocky ceiling. "Gods, please grant me patience with this one," he muttered and looked back at Yoa. "You need to start explaining yourself better to others. Nobody knows you better than I or Aiyana, but they did not grow up beside you-"
"They watched me grow too..." Yoa growled but it was quiet, his focus returning to the fish, but he then explained further. "Kanti began following me."