Page 44 of Fated

I let out a delighted squeal, jumping up and down, clapping.

“Look at them, Ash! Oh my god, Ineedone.”

Before he could respond, the shop door chimed, and a middle-aged man with a thick mustache stepped out. “They’re already housebroken,” he said, pointing toward the window.

“Not interested,” Ash murmured, but the man ignored him.

“I’m Carl.” The man extended his hand. “Can’t say I’ve seen either of you around here before.”

“Oh, we are just visiting,” I said shyly, shaking his hand.

Carl’s eyes lit up. “Visitors? Are the kingdoms finally open again?”

Ash shot me a sharp look, screamingdon’t say another word.

“We’re here for classified business with Madam Pearl,” he lied smoothly.

Carl’s eyes lit up even more. “Oh, wow! You two must be rather important!”

“We should get going,” Ash said quickly, tugging my hand, pulling me from the pet shop.

“Nice to meet you!” I yelled back at Carl, giving him a small wave.

We hurried away down the street.

Once out of earshot, Ash stopped abruptly, turning to face me, his eyes narrowed in frustration. “Do you forget we are two wanted fugitives in a completely foreign place? We have no idea who we can trust,” he scolded, his voice low and stern.

Heat kissed my cheeks, and I chewed on my lip. “Well, I really don’t think we need to worry about Carl—with a mustache—who sells baby foxes.” I shrugged.

He opened his mouth as if to argue, but after a brief pause, snapped it shut and let out a sigh, turning back to the street without saying another word.

We walked in silence for a few minutes, passing quiet streets leading into neighborhoods filled with cozy homes. Finally, we reached Waterspout Street, an impressive blue manor sitting on the corner, its sheer size enough to make it look more like a small castle than a house.

We followed a stone path leading up to the towering front door. There, Ash paused, glancing at me with a warning in his eyes. “Let me do the talking. Don’t give them any information.”

I nodded, and he knocked.

A young woman with golden-brown skin answered the door. She wore a simple cream-colored dress and despite the scar marring much of the right side of her face, her beauty was undeniable. The burn-like scar was jagged and harsh, slicing across her cheek, over her eye, and stopping just before the curve of her brow.

I quickly shifted my gaze, not wanting to appear rude or intrusive by staring at her scar, but she remained fixated, unblinking, staring at Ash.

Her wide eyes shimmered, and for a brief moment, I was sure tears were lining her lashes. She was struggling to hold them back.

Ash’s face remained impassive, giving no indication of recognizing her.

A second later, the woman straightened, cleared her throat, and all hints of emotion vanished.

“I’m Lilly.” She introduced herself with a warm smile. “Madam Pearl is eager to see you.”

Her words were directed solely at Ash but then she seemed to realize my presence, offering me a polite smile. She led us inside and we stepped into an elegant foyer. The floors shimmered like polished pearls, reflecting the soft glow of the chandelier above, crafted entirely from glittering crystal. Directly ahead, a grand staircase climbed toward the upper floors, its railings carved from dark glossy wood molded into the shapes of tailed women at the base.

We passed the stairs, following Lilly down a hall and through a doorway into a room.

The floor here was covered in plush powder blue carpet, and the walls boasted large floor-to-ceiling windows, draped in soft pink curtains.

Outside, a courtyard unfolded, where children played, their laughter ringing in the air. A wooden playground shaped like a ship sat at the center, while a green octopus-shaped climbing gym and a swing set with coral-colored seahorses sat just beyond.

Sitting by the window, watching over the courtyard, was an older woman in a light cream, seashell-patterned chair. Her posture was straight, her head held high, hands folded neatly in her lap. The moment we entered, she stood, turning to face us.

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