Page 113 of Lady of Darkness

Scarlett blinked. Before she could think of something to say, the waitress appeared with their food, setting their plates before them. Sorin didn’t say anything else as he picked up his fork and began eating, so Scarlett did the same.

They ate in silence, his words on repeat in her mind. When they had finished, she led him down a few more streets until they stood before a three-story building. The sign advertised the various businesses of leather making, apothecary needs, and jewelry repair. She led him around the back, nodded to two men in the alley, and pushed through the door.

The interior was dark save for a torch along the wall every ten feet or so. Silently they went up sets of stairs. When they reached the top landing,before she opened the door at the top, she turned to face Sorin. He merely gave her a pointed, expecting look.

“You are not just a means to an end, and I am not using you to gain information,” she said. She turned back to the door, not waiting for a response, but before she pushed it open, she said over her shoulder, “It is why I do not know if I can bear it if you are part of this. Please don’t be part of this, because if you are, it will crush me to gut you.”

Scarlett stepped through the door into an open room. The sunlight poured in the windows from the opposite wall, and Scarlett blinked against the sudden brightness.

“Scarlett!” A little girl of around four years old came running and launched herself into Scarlett’s arms. Scarlett caught the child with ease, swinging her around. The little girl had blonde hair with tight curls that went in every direction.

“Hello, Little Tula Bug,” Scarlett said, full of affection. Tears glimmered in her eyes. It had been an age since she had visited the orphans. Tula’s arms tightened around her neck, and then she stiffened as she noticed Sorin standing behind her.

“Who’s that?” Tula whispered, her baby blue eyes going wide.

Scarlett set Tula down and crouched down beside her. Looking up at Sorin, whose face was one of pure shock, she said, “That is my friend, Sorin.”

“He looks mean,” the little girl said, looking him up and down.

“He is, but if you give him treats, he smiles,” Scarlett said, rising and tousling Tula’s curls. Sorin threw her an incredulous look, to which she only smiled sweetly and said to Tula, “Where is Malachi, Little Bug?”

“This way,” Tula sang. The child gave Sorin one last suspicious glance, then took Scarlett’s hand and led her across the vast room. The space was full of children of all ages. The older ones taking turns wrangling the younger ones. Some waved to Scarlett as she crossed the room. Others glared suspiciously at Sorin, who was keeping silent, no doubt taking in everything, and she hoped gleaning what she had brought him here to confirm.

Tula led them to another long room that was set up as a training area.There were targets at the other end for archery and knife throwing practice. Two smaller training rings were at the other end, with a number of rudimentary weapons in a corner. A tall dark-skinned boy with dark hair was instructing a younger boy on how to properly nock an arrow when he looked up and saw Scarlett. A thin line spread across his lips as he took in Sorin, and he prowled over to them. He crossed his arms across his chest, looked Sorin up and down with a sneer, and said, “Who is this bastard?”

Sorin raised his brows and a wicked grin curled up one side of his lips. Scarlett sighed. “Malachi, this is Sorin. Sorin, Malachi.” Malachi only gave Sorin an unimpressed glare. “I’d be careful, Malachi,” Scarlett said with a smirk. “If you spare him your lovely fourteen-year-old charm, you may be able to convince him to show you some fancy knife throwing maneuvers.”

“He doesn’t look all that impressive,” Malachi said, scowling at Sorin.

Sorin’s wicked grin grew wider. He pulled a dagger from his hip and threw it from where he stood, hitting the farthest target dead in the center. Malachi looked at the dagger, back to Sorin dismissively, and said to Scarlett, “Why is he here?”

“He’s a friend of mine. He is here to help us,” Scarlett answered, sauntering over to the weapons and picking up a bow. She walked back to the boy Malachi had been instructing and handed him the bow, smaller than the one he had been holding. She adjusted his hands on the weapon as she continued speaking to Malachi. “Have there been any newcomers since I was here last?”

“No.” Short, curt.

Scarlett continued working with the boy, helping him nock the arrow now, telling him how to aim and pull back the string. She patiently adjusted his arm slightly as he drew back, and when he let it fly, it hit the outer ring of the target. His light brown eyes lit up with excitement, and she stepped back to let him try on his own.

“We have leads, Malachi,” Scarlett said softly, not looking at him, but watching the boy as he nocked another arrow. Sorin remained silent, observing. “We’re trying.”

“I don’t give a shit,” the boy answered.

“Malachi.” Scarlett’s voice was hard and gentle all at once as she turned to face him, but he just walked away and out of the room.

“He heard. About the mass grave that was found,” said a girl’s voice behind them.

Scarlett turned to find a young girl standing in the doorway. She wore a homespun cream colored dress that was stark against her bronze skin, her dark brown hair braided down her back. A dagger hung at her hip that Scarlett herself had taught her how to use.

“How?” Scarlett asked, her voice sharp.

“You know, Malachi,” the girl answered. “He’s sneaky and cunning and eavesdrops on any and all conversations.”

Scarlett sighed. “Who else knows?”

“Only Malachi, Bahram, and me,” the girl answered.

“When do you move again?” Scarlett asked.

“Tomorrow.”

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