Page 76 of Death of the Glass Angel
The smith looked up, dirty rag in hand. “Shouldn’t you check the taverns?”
“He was a weapons merchant, so I. . .” Janus trailed off, “Let me describe him.”
She launched into a frighteningly accurate description of Talon, from the number of freckles on each cheek to the exact hue of his lightning-purple eyes.
The smith gaped at her. But, slowly, his eyebrows knitted together, and he nodded. “Think I saw him pass earlier.” He gestured south. “You’d still have better luck with the taverns.”
“Thanks.” Janus turned around stiffly. The last thing she wanted to do was enter a crowded tavern full of drunks.
Following the south road, Janus half-jogged. She was being an idiot. This city was enormous; she’d never find him from a vague direction.
The streets thinned and the crowds grew sparse. A few buildings fell into disrepair, while some were built from wood, rather than stone. This place was familiar.
An archway labeled with Altanese glyph read ‘The stone quarter’. Why did that name tug at her mind, its familiarity infectious yet just out of reach? Something within screamed at her. Without thinking, her feet turned her south, and she rushed down the roads, their populace growing thinner and thinner with every passing street.
Pulling her cloak tighter around her shoulders, Janus eyed the ramshackle huts and chaotic alleyways. She could get lost ten times over in a place like this. Nothing for it. She was already here; she might as well keep going.
* **
He’s being followed.The deep voice warned.
Being followed.
This is pointless.The low voice droned.
What’s that?
Talon jumped, eyeing the barren streets. Valkyrie had melted into the shadows. Even though he knew she tailed him, he felt utterly alone out here.
What will he do if Valkyrie isn’t behind him?The friendly voice asked.
It had been a while since Talon held a conversation with one of the voices; the voices he was convinced were apparitions of the gods. Two chided him relentlessly, and one encouraged reckless behavior. Yet the younger female voice had always been kind.
“Valkyrie’s behind me.” He muttered in response.
But what if she isn’t?The voice prodded.
“She is. And if she isn’t, I’m resourceful. I’ll be fine.”
He is. He will.The friendly voice assured.
No, he’s not.The deeper voice said.He’s weak.
Silence consumed the world. Stopping, Talon looked around, finding himself in the middle of a barren street surrounded by abandoned huts. No worse place to be, alone at night.
Palming his dagger, Talon crept forward and froze when he heard footsteps behind him. A dark figure darted behind a corner when Talon glanced behind him.
Pretending not to have seen his stalker, Talon took a deep breath and kept walking. Valkyrie had better be behind him.
* * *
The stone quarter was unwelcoming. Janus crept through the alleyways and winding streets, searching for a familiar pale blue coat. The more she walked, the more she wondered why Talon would be here.
Quiet, dark, cold. Not the best place for a princess who had recently been attacked by assassins. Maybe it would be better to turn back. For all she knew, Talon had returned to the manor and was wondering where she had run off to.
Stepping out beside a dying tree, Janus found herself in a quiet street of abandoned buildings. To her amazement, a man in a pale blue coat turned the corner ahead and walked toward her.
Relieved, Janus threw back her hood and jogged toward Talon. But he did not greet her the same way.
