Page 87 of The Spark that Ignites
Vesper had referred to Malheim as the ‘slums’ and now, seeing the city streets, it made sense. Scraggly haired homeless citizens lined the walkway, some bent at the waist, and others whispering to voices only they could hear. A few unfortunate souls merely appeared down on their luck. Garbage littered the street, and the stench of piss tainted the air. They passed several pleasure houses and taverns overflowing with too many patrons for a normal midday rush. It was hard to ignore that everyone she spotted were all Hollow, not a singlezvezdain sight.
A slew of people greeted Vesper, stopping to chat or relay information that meant nothing to her. Many were what Briar had called Scarlets, sporting a red ribbon and scarlet scar on their necks or wrists, occasionally their face. A startling number of men intimately touched his arm as they spoke. Emmery kept her eyes trained on the ground.
“Do you come here often?” she asked though she already knew the answer. “You seem to know a lot of people.”
“This was my post when I served Destonne,” Vesper said. “It’s also a good place to escape after a long day. Find some release.” He stroked his dark stubbled jaw. “You know, most of the people here aren’t bad, Emmery. They come from unfortunate circumstances.”
She glared at him. “I didn’t say they were.”
“You haven’t looked a single person in the eye. They’re people too, you know.” He guarded his satchel as they shuffled into a crowd. “I’m not judging you. It’s fine. I just think you should know.”
Emmery bit her lip, her cheeks pinking. Had that one time in Bagsdead when the beggar woman attacked made her judgemental? Imbedded some bias inside her? Apparently so as she glued to Vesper’s side.
He glanced at her as they came to the entrance of a shop,The Sly Wenchprinted on the overhead sign. “Are you coming?” he asked.
“Do you mind if I look around on my own?” She hid her guilty tone, hoping it wasn’t painted on her face. Maybe he wouldn’t care about her watch but some part of her didn’t want to share it. This was one thing she wanted to keep between her and her mother.
He gave her a scrutinizing look, though he didn’t press. “I’ll find you in a few hours.” The cheery jingle of the doorbell greeted him. “Remember, keep the daggerinyour hand. And no dark alleyways for you, young lady.”
Emmery offered a saccharine smile. “Have I told you how hilarious you are today?”
An impish grin. “No, I don’t think you have.”
“Good.” She spun on her heel and tugged on her hood, before throwing over her shoulder, “And if we’re giving advice, try to keep your cockinyour pants. But we both know that’s a wild ask.” Vesper barked a laugh as he ducked through the doorway.
Emmery searched the dishevelled shops for any hint of enchantment services. If Rhessa claimed it was here, it had to be somewhere. As she approached a promising store front namedCharmed and Twisted, a man locked up, leaving a sign reading:Closed for lunch. In the window sat countless trinkets glimmering with a luminescent sheen that breathed magic.
This was it.
Shit, how long would it be before he came back? Emmery spotted him strolling down the street, her heart pounding as he rounded the corner.
With no time to lose and against her better judgement she followed, his white-blond head bobbing through the crowd like a beacon. When the man turned abruptly down an alley, Emmery pressed against a filthy brick wall, close enough to overhearbut hopefully not be detected. Tucked under an archway, two women spoke to him in hushed voices.
Emmery crinkled her nose at the stench as she feigned nonchalance. Some force drew her attention to a crouched figure speaking to a child on the outskirts of the busy town square straight ahead. A black hood veiled their identity but judging from their stature it was clearly a man. Notably with no vestige. And for some reason she couldn’t tear her eyes away. What was he doing?
The little girl couldn’t have been more than four, her bare feet blackened, and brunette hair snarled in a mess of knots. He gently wiped her dirt-crusted cheek with a cloth as she peered up at him. After cleaning her feet, he helped her into some boots and gave her a bulging pack. The girl’s eyes pricked with tears, but she fixed them on the soiled cobblestones.
Emmery startled as a pig-faced woman approached her, stealing her attention. Standing a head shorter, she assessed Emmery, rubbing her humped back. The woman narrowed her weathered, bloodshot eyes lined in dark circles, and asked, “Looking for something, darling?”
Averting her gaze, Emmery shook her head. “No, I’m, uh—waiting for someone.” It was mostly true.
“You sure?” The woman produced a bag the size of her thumb from her cloak pocket. “The first is free.”
Half a teaspoon of some substance filled that bag, the sun battling the cloudy skies above and illuminating it with ethereal light. What in the world was she trying to give her? Shaking her head again, Emmery shrank into the wall, craning her neck to see the cloaked man over the woman’s shoulder. Her hand drifted toward her dagger. “I’m fine.”
“I insist.” The pig-faced woman grabbed her wrist and plunked the bag into her hand, before closing Emmery’s fingersaround it. The woman’s fingernails were dirt crusted, her skin leathery as a worn chaise. “Enjoy.”
Nothing was given without cost. Vesper’s words rang in her head:Nothing is free. Nothing is fair.
“Take it back. I don’t want it,” Emmery snapped. Stomach sinking, she thrusted it away, but the woman retreated.
“You will.” Her toothless smile raised the hair on the back of Emmery’s neck. “It’s merely a gift. Remember it was Lellean who showed you such generosity.” The woman scuttled away, leaving Emmery clutching the pouch. She tucked it in her breast pocket, to deal with later. Whatever it was.
Emmery searched for the cloaked man again.
Unexplained relief flooded her as she found him. What did he say to the children to inspire such joy on their faces? Some even giggled, despite their grim circumstances. The man tended to three other children before dusting himself off and heading in Emmery’s direction.
And she couldn’t help but think he was heading directly forher.
