Page 22 of Devil's Doom

“I don’t need anything. Leave us alone.”

I blink a few times, taken aback by her response. But it makes sense when I think about it. Back home, everyone knew I was a whisperer trained by Wiosna, and they knew me since I was little. The villagers might have suspected me of witchcraft, but I had reliable credentials at the same time. These girls know nothing about me.

“I have knowledge of herbs,” I explain. “I know I’m a stranger to you and you have no reason to trust me, but I know ways to ease the pain and prevent conception or illness. Will you allow me to help you?”

The blonde doesn’t even look at me when she shakes her head. I swallow thickly, wishing desperately I could ease her pain. But I can’t force her. She doesn’t need any more of that.

“I’m staying at the milk bar if you change your mind,” I say, standing up. “Goodbye.”

“Praise the gods,” Lech mutters under his breath.

I’m almost to the door when the outspoken brunette stops me. “Wait! You can get us contraceptive runes if you’re stupid enough to waste your magic on strangers. I don’t care for herbs, but the runes are solid.”

Lech groans, and I turn with a sharp nod. “Consider it done.”

“I suppose you expect me to show you to a rune shop?” the upir asks when we emerge from the wilas’ hideout.

“Yes, please,” I say sweetly, giving him a tight smile. “And I’ll get you lamb blood tomorrow, as well.”

A sharp, speculative look crosses his face. He leans in, suddenly all charm and smiles, his fangs gleaming white.

“Or you can let me have a few sips of yours, hm? The scent of your blood is so intriguing, and now that I’m starving, I really can’t help myself.”

I push him away, and he laughs, stumbling back. From the way he stopped me before, I know he could easily overpower me if he wanted. This is just teasing.

“Will you take me to a rune shop?” I ask, folding my arms.

He rolls his eyes. “Yes, and you’ll buy me dinner for three days to repay the favor. Also, if they have magic-infused blood, I’m getting that. I need a fucking treat after this travesty of a day.”

I nod eagerly. Even though my legs hurt from exertion and I’m famished after many hours of walking, I don’t complain at all as Lech leads me through a labyrinth of narrow streets. It’s hot, and my back is damp with perspiration. The air smells of dust and cooking.

“By the way, Alina. If the seller tries to get you to buy runes protecting against the rot, too, for fuck’s sake, refuse. You’re just the type to fall for every fucking scam in this city. They haven’t yet made a rune against it, so you’ll likely get a fake.”

“What’s the rot?” I ask as we pass a tavern, the outdoor tables filled with people getting drunk on vodka and mead. They sit in the shade of an awning that hides them from the scorching sun.

“It’s the latest fashion these days,” he says with a snicker. “An illness of the loins that makes you ooze putrid pus. It spreads easily, and I know of at least three men whose dicks and balls fell off thanks to the disease.”

I make a face, hurrying after him as he strides to a small building that turns out to be a rune shop run by a crook-nosed hag.

She sells me three contraceptive charms in return for three hardboiled eggs, and I feel a pang of worry as my magic stores shrink. If I spend too much, I won’t be able to pay for my room tonight, and I might just end up rooming with the wilas.

“We can do this after we eat,” Lech whines when I inform him I’m going back to the ruined building to deliver the runes. “Come on! I feel my stomach dissolving. I need to eat!”

I ignore him, taking care to put some bounce in my step even though my legs cramp from exhaustion. Lech groans and chases after me, grumbling and whining all the way about how cruel, stupid, and useless I am. He calls me his worst friend ever, and I turn to him with a brilliant smile.

“So I’m your friend, huh? We’ve only known each other a day, leech. Aren’t you a bit fast?”

That sets off another wave of grumbles, which I secretly enjoy. I kind of prefer the grumpy Lech to the poised, smirking one.

The wilas receive our return with utter astonishment and confusion.

“I expected to never see you again,” the brunette says, eyeing me with her perfectly shaped eyebrows raised high. “You really are a fool, just like he said.”

Lech hisses, his mood so foul, he is unable to even pretend to be pleasant. I shrug, smiling. The insult doesn’t rankle at all when I see the blonde wila clutch the rune like it’s her salvation. The hag in the store explained the runes work even when worn after sex, as long as the pregnancy hasn’t started yet.

When we leave, the dregs of my energy seep out through my weary feet, whereas Lech gets a second wind. Steps quick and eager, he leads us through the late afternoon bustle to his favorite eatery called simply, “The Cellar.”

“It’s underground,” he explains, ushering me toward a narrow set of stairs leading down from the street level. “Go on. It will be blissfully cool inside. I love coming here on hot days.”

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