Sitting in the small dining room, Kristen found every bite like chewing wax.
It wasn't just that Jason had invited them; he'd invited them for something "tonic" too—an eel feast.
Truly, such good brothers.
Out in the dining room, Jason lit a cigarette and drew on it, unhurried. "While it's hot. Don't stand on ceremony."
Finn didn't. He picked up a slice of "eel" and ate. "Tastes good. Grace, try some."
He deliberately picked out a piece for Grace.
Grace took tiny bites. She disliked it, but in the face of Jason's overwhelming presence and Finn's considerate coaxing, she could only pretend to enjoy it.
Finn ladled her a bowl of "eel soup." "This is mild. Suits you. You're frail—need the nourishment."
Grace was nearly unable to keep smiling. "Thank you."
With the bowl of eel soup before her, she simply couldn't bring herself to lift the spoon.
Jason flicked ash into the tray and slanted his narrow gaze at her. "Today's dishes don't suit Miss Grace's appetite?"
"No," Grace said quickly, shaking her head. "It smells wonderful. The chef you invited is truly superb."
Jason neither confirmed nor denied it. "If you like it, eat more."
Grace braced herself and drank the "eel soup."
By the time the two had nearly finished—and after Jason had gone through several cigarettes—he still hadn't lifted his chopsticks once.
"Not eating, Jason?" Finn asked, puzzled.
Jason crushed out his cigarette in the ashtray, voice mild. "Caught a cold. No appetite."
"If you're sick, all the more reason to take something nourishing," Finn said with a smile. "Where did you get this eel? It's excellent—different from what I've had before. More fragrant!"
He said it while taking another bite of "charcoal-grilled eel."
Jason's thin lips hooked faintly. "If you like it, eat more."
Grace wasn't familiar with eel and couldn't tell differences, but something in Finn's words stirred a nameless unease in her. She ventured carefully, "Mr. Jin, where did you buy these eels? We'll get some too. Finn loves eel."
"Can't buy them," Jason said, lifting his narrow eyes, giving her a cold sidelong glance.
"Why?" Finn asked, curious. "What kind of eel is so hard to find?"
Jason didn't answer right away. He sipped his red wine. Under their eager gazes, he finally explained, lazily, "A few little beasts got into the villa these past two days. I had Old He catch them—skinned and boned. The chef said they tasted good. Seemed a pity to throw them out. I wasn't hungry. Consider it your good fortune."
Finn hadn't caught up yet. "What?"
Grace's face drained white. Her lips trembled as she spoke. "You mean this is… this is… isn't this eel?"
Jason's thin lips lifted, the smile never reaching his eyes. "When did I say it was?"
Finn finally understood. His brows drew so tight they nearly knotted. "Jason… are you saying this is…"
His breath hitched. His stomach heaved, as if a hand was wringing it from the inside.
Jason's voice was cool as a cellar. "Snake."
He hadn't even finished the word before Grace snapped her head aside with a strangled "Urk—"
Everything she'd just swallowed came back up.
Finn wanted to retch too, but seeing Grace retch as if she'd die, he couldn't help himself.
He grabbed tissues to wipe her mouth, then water for her to rinse.
When Grace finally steadied, she turned on Jason. "Jason—how could you feed us that!"
There was accusation in her tone.
( End of Chapter )
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