Page 113 of A City of Flames

I stare impassively at him then turn away and ignore the last of his words as I stalk through the Draggards, I’d tell them after I achieved what I came here to do. Freya follows me which leads Link and Rydan to do the same.

Women and men fix their glowering gazes on us, some mutter things such as “venator bastards,” or “don’t they get enough with extorting us for taxes?” I drown them out, darting my eyes to every stall, and peeking my head above market tents until I spot a familiar stand nearing Leira’s tavern.

I pause and air leaves my lips in a sign of relief at the orange fur coming into view. The brief sensation is overpowered with my blood boiling though when I see Tibith in a small cage hanging off a hook above the roof tent.

Freya yells after me once I take off and Tibith’s eyes perk up with delight as he clutches the iron bars. “Miss Nara!” He squeaks.

“A Tibithian?” Rydan asks behind me, confusion lacing his voice, but I ignore it as I focus on Tibith. No vendor is around, and four other cages hang from the tent. Three goblins and a pixie, the size of my hand.

“I’m going to get you out of here, okay?” My eyes hook on his in a promise.

He blinks nervously, nodding. “And—and Darry?”

I don’t answer for a few seconds, my lips tug down before I try smiling. “Him too,” I whisper even as the disappointment on his face still gnaws at me.

“You again?” A gruff voice says, and I turn my head to see Tig’s glare on me. His crinkled eyes run over my attire and then a thick laugh cracks out of him. “Well, this is a surprise, turns out you’re one of them.”

I back away from Tibith’s cage, every step towards Tig is civil even as his larger frame towers over me. “I want to take this Tibithian with me.” My eyes shift to the set of keys jangling from his belt. “Please.”

He scoffs, lines crease on his hairless head as he raises his brows. Crossing his arms, he gestures his head towards the end of the street. “He’s not for sale.”

None of these creatures should be. Guilt tries to wiggle its way back into my mind, knowing this is where Ivarron sent all the creatures I’d trapped for him. “He doesn’t deserve to be here.”

“Neither do you, so go on.” Tig flickers his hand for us to head out but none of us budge and Tibith growls from inside the cage.

“Not without him,” I say firmly. My patience hangs on a thin line.

“Or what?” He narrows his eyes like the thought of me standing my ground is humorous to him. “You and your little warriors will detain me?”

My gaze burns into him with unyielding fury and my fingers twitch at my side, holding back from grabbing my dagger or strangling him.

Freya clears her throat softly and stands next to me, but I don’t take my eyes off Tig, not for one second as she says, “We just want the Tibithian, so name your price, sir.”

I detect the tremble in her voice, but Tig only laughs, shaking his head. “Venators like you are all the same, treat us people from the Draggards as if we are filth and think you can get away with everything else.”

“You shouldn’t speak to her like that!” Tibith says and Tig looks at him, pushing the cage which causes Tibith to tumble backward. All my patience deteriorates and my temper sparks.

“Get out of here, venators—” Tig goes to shove me, but I seize his hand. My stare ruthless as I snap his pinky in the opposite direction.

He lets out a silent yelp as I say, “I am not a venator.” I grab his thumb, bending it backward until bones snap and I can hear Rydan and Link’s wince along with others looking our way. “And I plan to take every creature that you’ve trapped in these cages with me.” My eyes jerk to a wide-eyed Freya and tip my head at the set of keys around Tig’s belt. She nods, scrambling to get them as Tig looks at me mortified, a glare tries to make way onto his face but it’s impossible when I push another finger of his and grit, “So I suggest you shut down this business of yours indefinitely.”

Once Freya unlocks all the cages the creatures step out, coming behind me. I thrust Tig’s hand away and he staggers, clutching his hands as he stares at the awkward position his fingers are all in.

“Have a wonderful evening.” Threat lines under my deceptive calmness and I don’t waste my time listening to his insults as I spin, facing a smiling Tibith, a pale-faced Link and Rydan and the creatures looking up at me. The pixie flies over to my shoulder, her blue skin glistens like droplets of water as she whispers a thank you in my ear.

I smile but can’t help but let it slip into a solemn expression before I heave a breath and say, “Let’s go.” I walk between Rydan and Link with Freya catching up to me. I lift my eyes at the sign of the Crescent Eye and pick up my pace. When I reach the door, I notice such silence come from within. “Both of you stay here.” I glance over at Link and Rydan and immediately they frown.

“I don’t—”

“I need lookouts,” I cut Rydan off, drawing a brow up at him. Already showing up with creatures to Leira’s might make things questionable. I had too much to explain to her, to Rydan, Link. I have the feeling that I’m running out of time and in ways I am.

Before Rydan opens his mouth to protest, I enter with Freya and the creatures inside the tavern, slowing to a stop when I see what is in front of me.

Tables knocked over, shards of glass scatter the wooden flooring and not a single soul is in sight.

“What in Solaris and Crello’s world...” Freya whispers.

Tibith climbs up my leg and sits by my shoulder. “Everything is broken Miss Nara!”

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