Page 126 of The Princesses of Ruin
“You look normal,” he says.
I give him a partial shift, showing my claws. He gasps and pulls away.
I smile kindly, keeping my hand extended. “I’m different, but you have nothing to fear. These claws are for killing our enemies.”
The two boys lean in to inspect me closer, touching my velvety skin and tracing my talons with their delicate little fingers.
“Line’s long enough already,” a man a few people back says.
He’s right, and these people are hungry. I drop my shift and wave goodbye to the boys, then reach for the next package.
“You can come by the Nest later and talk to me more if you like,” I say as the children start to leave.
The oldest girl looks wary, but the young boys, twins maybe, are elated. “We will, my lord,” they say together as they run off with their goods.
The girl follows and I watch them go. I remember being that young on the streets. They weren’t kind…
And neither was I.
I step out from behind the crates of goods and call to the girl. She stops, glancing over her shoulder with veiled distrust. I bend down so we’re eye to eye and pull my dagger from my boot.
“We’re trying to fix things, but there may still be people who will try to take your things. I give you permission to use this to protect yourself and your brothers.” I hold the simple blade out to her.
She looks from my hand to my face as she lifts the side of her dirty shirt. There sits her own dagger held to her side by a strip of cloth. The blade is stained with ruddy brown specks. I grit my teeth and nod.
“We’re going to fix this kingdom.”
“When will that be, my lord?” Her voice is too old for a child who couldn’t be more than twelve.
“When we’ve handled the queen, it’ll be our main goal to get this kingdom safe for everyone.”
“Clara!” one of the boys calls for his sister.
She turns, looking at them, and I notice she catches the gaze of a man in line. His gaze lingers on her too long, and then he turns to look at the boys. I catch his eyes a second later and he snaps his attention forward.
Alyse…
I feel her taking up space in my mind, a pressure ache forming at the forefront.
“He’s thinking of following them and stealing their food. I’ll fix it.”
No, I’ll handle it.
I sheathe my blade in my boot and stand. “Come with me.”
Clara doesn’t argue, following me to the man in line who had been watching her and her little brothers. He’s nothing of note: around my age, sandy brown hair, unremarkable eyes. He looks better fed than everyone else, better clothed. Frost glitters like stars on his lashes as our gazes connect.
He opens his mouth to address me, and I cut him off, grabbing him by the lapels. “I see you, scumbag.” I have much more colorful words I’d like to use, but I’m trying to keep my language calmer for the present company.
“Your enterprising days of stealing from children will end now, or your life will.”
“M’lord, I don’t know what you mean.”
“We hear you,” Alyse says and I know she’s spoken to all the people in the area. They turn their heads left and right, searching for the source.“We hear the evil born from scarcity. We sympathize with your fear, but we will not condone the depravity.”
I couldn’t have said it better. “Show him your blade, Clara.”
She lifts her shirt. The crowd around us shuffles uncomfortably.
