Chapter 44: Storm Front

I exhaled in relief at the sight of the empty lobby. The desk, now cleared of other guests, stood waiting for me, though the single person behind it made me wonder what kind of reception I'd get. Surely the staff was overrun with all the crazy Reading residents by now? Sick to death of us? From what I'd heard, the bulk of the employees here had been hired out of town, something Olivia had to answer to the council for. But her plan to increase prosperity and lower the unemployment rate meant the lodge had little choice, so anyone complaining was doing so to hear the sound of their own voice.

Despite my worry about her attitude, the young woman on the other side smiled at me with that kind of expression all front desk people perfected so you never knew if they were actually interested or just doing their job.