Wisteria (Wisteria Series) by Bisi Leyton Page A

what appeared to be obsidian coral.
    “Where did you find this?” Bach examined the warm scarlet rock closely. It was much larger than the slices they used to journey.
    “Your Terran brought this with her. She made it from a coral she found on her island.”
    “That is impossible. The Terrans do not have obsidian coral. Are you sure it is real?”
    To prove his point, Enric took out his faycard. The faycard was a powerful focal point of energy for a Famila. While it was great for playing simple tricks on children and Terrans, it was mostly used by the Ino caste to renew free Terrans, turning them into Thayns.
    He tapped it on the red stone. The faycard card started to glow as the stone tried to draw on its power.
    “How did she get this?” Bach stared in disbelief.
    “She has no clue what it is, but she made it from rocks on her island. We need to get the rest of it before the Terran figure out what it is.”

 

     
    CHAPTER SEVEN
     

    Returning to look for Wisteria, Bach found her searching the kitchen for something. She was rummaging through the drawers and cabinets. Then, she tucked a long wooden spoon and one of his metal tools in her backpack.
    “You are stealing from me,” he accused as he walked into the kitchen.
    “It’ll only be a matter of time before some biters make it through here.” She hobbled away from him.
    “You have lived through an overrun. You know if the infected were to get in, they would have gotten in here by now. We are safe here.” Whoa, she smelled incredible now that the poisons she’d smeared on herself had worn off. Her scent reminded him of… What did she remind him of?
    “Of course,” she mumbled unconvincingly and then nodded, her braids framing her face.
    This was disappointing, as he felt that she used to trust him implicitly at one time. Unless this was part of the game she was playing with him all along. If this was a game, she was going to lose in a big way.
    Bach didn’t know when he decided to renew her, but seeing Enric trying to make a play for her decided it for him. He had indeed seen Enric go into her room and Bach felt obligated to ensure his guest was safe. Enric had tried to use his faycard and attempted to lull Wisteria into asking for something.
    Furious to see Enric starting the renewal and powerless to stop it, Bach had left the hallway outside of Wisteria’s door. Part of him wanted to know if Wisteria would allow Enric to renew her. Fortunately, Enric’s attempt failed, and she didn’t surrender to him, but Bach wouldn’t risk Enric or another Famila trying the same thing.
    “I heard you and your friend arguing up there.” She was inching away from him. “What were you arguing about?”
    You . He closed the space between them. “He was not treating his Terran properly. We had to discuss it.”
    “His Terran? I thought her name was Piper?” Backing toward the living area, she pretended to smile.
    From his experience with Terrans, they hated being called Terran.
    “What happened to her? Do you know why she’s so crazy?” she asked.
    “It is complicated.” The renewal was never something he discussed with Terrans. Their minds weren’t designed to assimilate such knowledge.
    “I can only imagine what she’s been through.” Biting at her lip, she closed her eyes. “If things were different I’d say she should leave him.” Her eyes shot open and her expression looked sad.
    “You are right. She should be with more people and taking her back with you might be the best solution for her,” he admitted.
    “Really?” She smiled a little.
    “If you think your people can help her.”
    She seemed to release a slow breath.
    “You look relieved.” Bach sensed that she seemed happier.
    “Enric was telling me that you weren’t going to let me leave.”
    “Would staying here be that bad?”
    “Hmm.” She looked as if she were trying to choose her words. “No. Yeah, it would be great. I’d like to first get back to my family—or my mum