By the time they reached Endless Rain Academy, the auction house had already closed for the night. Visiting players could rent rooms in the guest lodges near the outer gate, and the communal kitchen in theirs was empty when Martin carried in the ingredients from his inventory.
He claimed the station farthest from the entrance and began preparing the five portions he had promised on the road.
Kumoe settled close enough to supervise him.
Her curious head followed every movement of his knife. Whenever Martin turned toward the stove, she stretched toward the cutting board and sniffed at the meat.
"Don't."
Her tongue slipped out.
"I can still see you."
She retreated half an inch, then waited for him to become less observant.
The middle head had stretched out beside Alexandra's chair and seemed prepared to sleep until someone placed food directly beneath her nose. The right remained upright, studying Martin's hands with the solemn focus of a restaurant critic.
