Page 84 of Kingdom of Rot & Ruin
“Where exactly are we going?” I asked.
“To see my friend,” she answered shortly, not even stopping to glance at me.
I bristled. “A friend? I’m not here to socialize. I?—”
A woman’s scream broke the air, piercing and shrill. I flinched, but Shava only frowned.
“Shit, knew she would get us caught. Hurry!”
She took off down a new alleyway and I ran after her, the pounding of feet hot on our heels.
“Hey! You! Stop!”
Years of being conditioned to obey slowed my feet, but Shava grabbed me and tugged. “What are you doing? They’re not talking toyou!”
She shoved me up against the wall of a mud hut, putting her arms under my shoulders and turning me so my body covered hers. Her lips descended on mine, hungry.
Before I could ask what the fuck she was doing, twoFireguards ran by us, buckling their scabbards back into place as they ran.
Oh. Now I see.
Relaxing into Shava’s kiss, I pushed my tongue into her mouth and bit down on her lip.
Disappointingly, she pushed me away as the woman’s screams continued from the open square.
Perhaps now wasn’t the best time.
“Mari! There you are. Why aren’t you in your hut? Don’t?—”
“Shava? Is it really you? I thought I’d never see you again! Momma ran out again. I think the bad man has her.”
I glanced down at the little girl, maybe ten or eleven. Her huge, dark eyes stared up at Shava as though she was the girl’s personal salvation. Her dress was a tattered scrap tied around her bosom and waist, held together by roughly-sewn leather. She was painfully thin.
Shava winced. “Mari, your mother is … out. The Fireguards will help her. It will be ok. Can you show us that one tunnel you said you found a while ago? The one you don’t think anyone else knows about?”
My ears perked in interest, even as I ignored the falsely bright tone she used.
The little girl’s—Mari’s—eyes narrowed. “I’m not a stupid kid. I know what she’s doing. And the Fireguards will do the same thing. Doesn’t matter who gets her.”
Her voice was tough, but it wavered a bit at the end and her eyes grew wet.
Shava pursed her lips. “Fine. We are looking to sneak into the Seat. Can you tell us what direction the tunnel was in?”
The girl scowled. “I want to come.”
My mouth opened to argue, but Shava beat me to it. “Yes, of course. Now lead on.”
Mari’s eyes lit up, but she didn’t argue. She turned andran.
Right back towards the square.
“Mari, I don’t think?—”
“Momma will keep them busy. That one Fireguard enjoys saving her. I think he likes her.”
Her tone was matter of fact. I couldn’t help but admire her callousness.
“Don’t look so intrigued. This place does it to you,” Shava spat out, angry.
