“Can I help you?” I asked.

The lady in front of me scowled. “I want real help!” she snapped. “I don’t want assistance from a worthless hybrid!”

I felt my face tighten as it froze in its professional expression. “Very well,” I said tightly. I spun around and entered the back room.

As I did so, I could hear Ruth Durus say, “Honestly, why can’t Ramon find better help?” Her companion made vehement noises of agreement.

Ramon Tivan looked up at my entrance. The middle aged father frowned at me. I smoothed my hands down my apron and said, “Mrs. Durus would like assistance from someone else.”

Ramon sighed and looked at his wife, Liara. “Don’t look at me,” Liara said flatly. She punched the dough she was kneading harder than necessary.

I blinked and looked at my feet. I couldn’t really blame Liara for her resentment towards me. I understood even if it wasn’t my fault. In the few months I’d been working and living with the Tivan family, there had been several incidents of customers demanding help from someone else and even taking their business elsewhere.

Liara wiped her hands off and headed towards the storefront. “Take care of the dough, Viaora,” she said as she brushed past me.

I went to the sink and washed my hands. I picked up where Liara had left off, kneading the dough. “I’m sorry,” I whispered. I peeked at Ramon. He only looked at me before going back to his work.

I tried to not take it personally. After all, while Ramon and Liara were kind enough to give me work and a place to stay, it wasn’t in their nature to be demonstrative.

“Your time is up,” Ramon suddenly said, breaking the tense silence.

I blinked and stopped working the dough. “What?” I asked uneasily. I could feel my body tensing, readying itself to flee.

“Your time is up,” Ramon repeated. He looked at me. “You had better run.”

Ramon slid a piece of paper over to me. I tentatively took it, fighting my primitive instincts to lash out. I unfolded the sheet. I felt the blood drain from my face.

The paper was advertising a hunt. A hunt for hybrids. I looked up at Ramon. “I’m sorry,” he said quietly. “I would like to protect you, Viaora, but I need you to leave. For my family’s safety.”

I wiped my hands off. “I understand,” I said quietly.

I truly did. Hatred for and prejudice against hybrids and unnaturals was more rampant in the outskirts of the kingdom. The horrific manhunts could become bloody and dangerous for all involved very quickly. The fact that I was known to be a hybrid would not help the Tivan family at all.

Liara reentered the kitchen but froze just inside the back room’s doorway. She glanced between her husband and me. I met her gaze and straightened my back.

“I’m so sorry for all the trouble my presence has caused for you,” I said. I looked at both Ramon and Liara. “But I want to thank you for the way you helped me. It saved my life. I’ll leave before the situation can deteriorate any further.”

I moved to go to my room and gather my things. As I packed my bag, I blinked back the tears. I’d allowed myself to become too comfortable with the Tirvans. I would miss them. I finished packing and went back downstairs.

“Viaora.” I looked at Liara in surprise. She pursed her lips and looked away. Then back at me. “Go to my mother, Rowena Griswold. She’s a hermitress, living in the forest. She’ll shelter you.”

I gaped at Liara before snapping my mouth shut. I nodded slowly. “Thanks,” I said tonelessly. I hesitated before abruptly adding, “Blame me or lie about me to protect your family.” Liara frowned. I knew her well enough by now to know she wasn’t by nature a liar. “It’ll make it easier on you and your family. People will believe you if you make me the villain.”

I slipped out the back door before Liara could answer me. I’d only gone a few feet when I heard loud shouts and rapid footsteps behind me. I looked over my shoulder. I didn’t see anyone. Yet. I quickened my pace and fled through the town. I took every shortcut I knew of so I could avoid people.

By the time I made it out of the town’s boundaries, I could no longer hear the footsteps and yells. But I knew that didn’t mean it would be the last time I ever heard the sounds. I decided against going to Liara’s mother.

I appreciated the offer of help. But I realized now that I couldn’t risk putting any innocent person in danger. So I couldn’t go to her mother.

I fingered the small note in my pocket. Going to Liara’s mother wasn’t my only option though. Making my decision, I quickened my pace. I was going to the capital.