5
I watched in horrified fascination as Maira tossed spice after spice into the bowl and mixed all the dark browns and strange greens together with her thick wooden spoon. The foliage floated in black and orange liquid that resembled a squid having mated with an orange. She finished her wicked additions and slid the bowl in front of me. The scent rose up and tickled my nose with promises of much worshiping of the porcelain goddess.
Maira puffed out her chest and grinned at me. “Eat up.”
I grasped the spoon she offered and stirred the contents. The larger bits bobbed up and down, and I swore something blinked at me. I swallowed the lump in my throat and gave Maira a shaky smile. “Maybe I’d better wait until Luca gets back.”
Maira frowned and tapped a finger against the rim of the
