Page 1 of The Immortal's Trick
1
Hot wind cutsagainst my skin like a scouring brush, dragging sand across my cheeks and into the folds of my linen scarf. The scent of sweat, spices, and roasted meat clings to the breeze from the city, carried all the way from Alexandria’s bustling heart. It reaches even the edge of the farmland where I walk, barefoot now, sandals in hand. The straps bit into my feet hours ago.
My arms ache with the weight of the goods pressed to my chest, the rough sack digging into my ribs with every step.
I ignore the discomfort and keep moving, passing by the same fields I’ve known since childhood—fields now thin with laborers, the sun beating down on their backs as they bend to gather the season’s ripened wheat.
Our few remaining workers lift their heads at my passing, offering tired smiles and raised hands. I manage a nod, avoiding their eyes. I don't want to see the pity there.
I round the dusty path’s last bend, and my family home appears at last: a squat, tan structure. It’s not grand, but it’s ours.
Cool air greets me—thin and dry, but merciful after the heat of the morning sun.
“Eshe? Is that you?” My sister’s voice drifts from the kitchen.
“It’s me!” I pull off my scarf and shake it out, sand hissing as it scatters across the floor, then follow Nebet’s voice.
My elder sister stands at the washbasin, sleeves rolled, dark curls frizzed around her sweat-slicked brow. She scrubs a clay bowl as if it had insulted her in another life.
“You left early this morning,” she says without looking up.
“I wanted to beat the heat,” I reply with a grunt as I set the goods I purchased on the table.
“You forgot, then.”
I freeze, then lift my gaze. Nebet’s beautiful ebony eyes crinkle with remorse. “We’re meant to deliver our crops today. Remember?”
I groan, my head falling forward, and rub my tired eyes. “I forgot.”
Father fired our deliveryman last week. And since he’s bedridden once again, that leaves the work to me and Nebet.
She glances over, eyes soft. “I didn’t hear you get up, or I would’ve stopped you.”
Of course she didn’t hear me. I’d tiptoed around the room like a thief, careful not to wake her. She carries too much already—cooking, cleaning, watching over our younger brothers and father. Letting her rest felt like the least I could do.
“It’s not a problem,” I say, though I’m trying to convince myself just as much as her. I hate the city, especially at this hour—but the delivery needs to be made. We can’t afford not to get that coin.
“At least you get to see Ani,” she teases, trying to lighten the moment.
I wave her off and start re-lacing my sandals, ignoring the heat rising to my cheeks. She smiles but doesn’t press—though I know she isn’t fooled.
Ani. The son of one of Alexandria’s merchants. He’s Nebet’s age, but he’s treated both of us like younger sisters our entirelives. Until last year… when his lingering gaze filled with something that could be described as longing.
I shake his warm brown eyes and boyish grin from my thoughts. “Are you willing to go now? If we hurry, we may miss the worst of the crowds.”
Nebet nods and disappears to gather her things. I lean against the wall and close my eyes for a breath, and Ani’s warm brown eyes fill my mind once more.
I hide my feelings from others, but it’s impossible to hide them from myself.
I’ve had feelings for Ani long before I suspect he’s had them for me. The memory still clings to me, vivid as ever.
I was just a girl, skipping toward Ani’s house to share the news of Father’s successful harvest. Theshan even gave me a few coins to spend—a rare generosity from the greedy man.
I’d been daydreaming about buying Nebet something for her upcoming thirteenth birthday. That’s when the older boys appeared. I didn’t even hear anything before one of them pushed me down.
I remember clenching my eyes shut, bracing for pain or worse.
Then Ani arrived.
