Page 39 of Aria's Desire

He stiffened a little and gave her a suspicious look but seemed to shrug. “Vekai.”

She kept her voice intentionally casual as she asked, “Where are your parents, Vekai?”

Another suspicious look and his response was hesitant, as if her question was a trick. “They live in my old village.”

“And you don’t?”

He must’ve heard the surprise in her tone. He met her gaze, his own wary, but he drew himself up to his full height, his chin lifting defiantly. “I live here. I’m almost grown, and I have a better chance of being chosen by a damsa with a title and holdings here.” He sounded like he was repeating something he’d been told.

Nodding, she kept her voice soothing, deciding against arguing his assessment that he was nearly grown. “I’m sure you’ll be chosen by a wonderful damsa.”

“I will. I watch the chosen males. I know I’ll be a gooddaisheik, even without training. And I’m not a thief.” His orange eyes, so like Rellik’s, flicked to the knife she was still idly spinning and added in an uncomfortable mutter, “Usually.”

Hiding a smile, she eyed him a little closer, taking in the gaunt look of his cheeks, the stains on his breeches that looked like he’d tried to scrub out but couldn’t, and the oiliness of his hair, laying loose around his shoulders.

She didn’t know what kind of care was available for kids like him, who’d been dropped off at the castle by their families, or how common that practice was. She could guess at what prompted such a choice, though. Maybe there weren’t any opportunities for him in his village. Maybe his parents had too many other mouths to feed. Regardless, he was obviously struggling, and hungry.

She didn’t think he’d appreciate pity judging by the almost hostile cast to his features. And, yet, she couldn’t walk away not knowing if the kid had a safe place to sleep or if he’d sell enough of the trinkets, as he called them, to eat tonight.

Or if he’d get caught stealing from someone less forgiving.

Making a decision, she stopped playing with the blade and caught his gaze, letting her hand fall off his shoulder so he wouldn’t feel pressured and could bolt if he wanted to.

“I could use some help, someone who knows the castle, who knows the people here. I need someone who has the inside scoop and can warn me of which people I need to watch out for, which ones not to trust. Nothing dangerous, and nothing that’d get you in trouble with the Queen. Just knowledge from someone in a unique position to see and not be seen. I’d pay, of course. Sound like something you might be interested in?”

It was an offer similar to what she’d made to homeless kids back on Earth, the ones who wouldn’t take any other kind of help and would just disappear if she tried to get them off the streets and into group homes. It had taken her a long time to accept that she couldn’t save them all, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t do something to make their lives a little easier, a little safer.

Thinking about those kids, she knew she didn’t have to worry about them. Foster would’ve taken over when she disappeared and would’ve taught his next partner to do the same.

Vekai scrutinized her face, searching for any hint this was a trick of some kind. Expecting that, Aria waited patiently while he made a decision, not pushing him one way or the other. It hurt her heart to see that kind of wariness on a kid, but she didn’t show it.

Finally, he relaxed, just a little, his gaze flicking to her guys before settling on her again. He shrugged, trying to look indifferent. “I could do that.”

She nodded again. “Good. Shall we talk terms?” Without waiting for him to answer, she kept going. “Food and safe sleeping arrangements will be included in the pay.” Before he could get offended or think she doubted his ability to take care of himself, she gave him a stern look. “Can’t have you falling asleep on the job or distracted by an empty stomach. Pay is—”

She hesitated. Ishtal had given them all a bag of coins for spending money, but she had no clue how much was a fair amount and how much would just make the kid suspicious that it was too good a deal. Glancing at Rellik for help, she caught him staring at her, a soft look on his face that made her feel oddly flustered.

Clearing his throat, Rellik tore his gaze from her. “Tworulia day.”

Facing Vekai again, she saw his eyes widen in shock before he hid it, but he couldn’t quite hide the glimmer of hope, fragile and still edged heavily with caution, like he expected them to break into laughter and tell him they were joking.

Hiding the pang that look sent through her, she raised her brows at him. Seeing they weren’t joking, he swallowed hard and tried to gather his earlier swagger.

“Th- three ruli a day. Plus food and a room.”

Rellik made a sound of disbelief at the kid’s brass, but Aria smirked and held a hand out to stop him from arguing.

“Deal.” Before he could gloat, she caught his gaze and hardened her voice. “But there are rules. First rule: no more stealing. Second rule: no dangerous shit. Don’t put yourself at risk.Ever. Not while working for me or doing anything else. If I find out you have, you’ll lose the job, and I’ll find some other kid to help me. Got it?”

He nodded jerkily, a little unnerved, but she needed him to understand she was serious about that. She wanted an excuse to help the kid, but if he put himself in danger doing so, she was going to be pissed.

“Good. That being said, if you find yourself in trouble or need anything, find one of us. Have we got a deal?” She held her hand out for him to shake. He looked at it, then hesitantly slapped his palm against hers.

“Deal.”

Chuckling, she shrugged. “That’ll do. Rellik?”

He pulled out his own bag of coins and passed three of the smaller ones to the kid. Vekai’s hand shook slightly as he snatched them up.

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