Page 47 of Forsaken Secrets

He grabbed two nice harnesses, a high-end belay device, some anchors, and a pair of ascenders.

They were perfect. I stared at him, curious. "I thought you said you had no training?"

Cheeks red, he shrugged. "I said I had no training, but I never said I was inexperienced."

I tilted my head to the side. So he'd learned some other way? "Were your parents Reapers, then?" Many of the titled lords and ladies in the Capital had started out as Reapers, collecting enough relics that they won favor from the Kings.

It was a plausible way to become a Reaper without gear or training …

His flush deepened, making those distracting freckles pop out again. Were they all over his body, or just his face? No. I wasn't going there right now.

"I — think we should focus on the gear rather than my boring life."

I stared at him, and he shifted uncomfortably, rubbing the back of his neck.

Finally, he rolled his bottom lip between his teeth, then met my eyes. "Look. This library project is more for me to prove myself than anything else. Jaiel, my partner, usually does the exploration work, but he got called away and I'm stuck copying ship manifests until he gets back."

That made sense. He had said this was an unsanctioned mission.

"No one believed me when I told them about the library. I need to get proof and show them they can trust me."

Ahh. "Well then, we'd better work hard to get those answers and prove them wrong."

His lips twisted in a smile as he bent to sort through the pile, humming to himself while he worked. He examined a few items, then pulled some more from the display. I counted out the value for each and set it by the cash register.

By the end, the purse was only half its original weight. But Eli seemed happy, and I couldn't stop the smile that formed as I imagined using the tools he'd picked. They were better than anything I could ever afford, and light enough that it wouldn't be too much of a burden.

We packed our bags, and he slipped a small envelope onto the register before striding off through the front door.

I followed closely behind, looking around to see dozens of families spread across the road. "Wow. There are a lot more people here than usual!"

Eli nodded, eyebrows drawn together. "It does seem like a large turnout … unless your vicar is really something special …"

Well, he was that, alright. I grimaced and studied the people more closely as we wove through them. Most carried small bundles beneath their arms. The food he'd mentioned providing after services, perhaps?

A man drifted closer, his bundle half-open, and I slowed enough to intercept him and peer inside. There was a small loaf of bread, a few jars, and — "Did you see how he healed that man with the plague?" the woman at his side was speaking to someone else, but I couldn't help overhearing. "I didn't believe the rumors, but perhaps the gods really have blessed him …"

My toe caught on something and I stumbled forward, barely catching myself before bumping into another couple.

Both women glared at me, then grabbed their husband's arms possessively. I rolled my eyes. It wasn't like I was going to steal their men!

What had that woman been talking about? The vicar was healing people now, too?

Missing Seekers? Healing vicars? What was happening around here?

I'd have to ask Aunt Grace if she knew anything about it.

"Kaiya. You coming?" Eli's voice carried over the crowd, and I realized we'd gotten separated in all the commotion.

I held a hand up and waved, then pushed my way to his side. "Sorry."

He shrugged, and we slipped out of downtown, lost in thought.

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