A trimd oak cabinet stood by the wall, its surface reflecting soft blue light. The source was an array of enchanted stones affixed to the ceiling, each by lustrous tal cables. They hung over a long table. At the far end, Delphine sat beside Gerbald. The plates in front of them displayed foods, including a species of roast bird akin to a turkey, except it had two sets of wings.
Saphiria and Dimitry sat at the other end. After a long journey back to Ravenfall, they waited to report their success. If a trip to deliver severed corpses to a prospective slave owner could be considered a success.
Delphine wiped her hands with a cloth napkin and spoke from across the table. Im assuming everything went well?
Yes, Saphiria said.
Did anything unusual happen?
The bridge to Vael collapsed, the cart flipped over, and Saphiria glanced at Dimitry.
He squird in his chair. The enchantnt on Saphirias collar prevented her from disobeying Delphine. If she revealed Dimitry knew his fate as a slave, their situation would complicate further. He grabbed a pure vol pellet from his cloak pocket and prepared to chant invisall.
And? Delphine asked.
Sir Ernwin offered fifty gold gadots for the transaction.
Dimitry exhaled a relieved sigh. Saphiria covered for him.
Interesting, but its not like you to hesitate. Delphine beckoned the girl forward.
Saphiria walked to the other end of the table.
Delphines eyes furrowed, exposing the crows feet lurking in their corners. She leaned forward to inspect the collar. Isnt it a little dull?
Gerbald gnawed on a grilled avian drumstick. Yeah, it would explain her attitude from the other day.
Attitude?
She threatened when I asked her a question.
The enchantnt must be wearing off. Its about ti. Delphine grabbed the collar, pulled Saphiria in with one hand, and reached into a small pouch with the other. Servia. Get ready for the ceremony and wait outside the stable.
Understood, Saphiria muttered. As she walked out of the reception room, her head tilted down. She moved her mouth silently as if to say Im sorry.
Dimitrys fist tightened, the vol pellets uneven surface digging into his palm. Saphiria had no reason to apologize: she did nothing wrong. The bla belonged to that damned collar and anyone responsible for its existence.
Dimitry, Delphine said, what happened during your trip that Saphiria hesitated to ntion?
To avoid a slavers suspicion, he conjured the most believable half-lie he could. Sir Ernwin bribed to convince you to let work for him. Perhaps Saphiria wanted to avoid needless confrontation.
She grinned. Does he want you to work for him that much?
Dont trust him, my wondrous lady. Gerbalds infuriated gaze found a ho on Dimitrys face. Those two are getting awfully close. Theyre conspiring against you.
Delphines expression grew grim. She launched several silver gadots at Dimitry from a large stack. Well find out the truth after the binding ceremony. For now, keep your distance from Saphiria. The traveling troupe is performing in the market square this afternoon. Go have so fun and enjoy a hearty al. Ill know if you leave. She waved him away.
Was she keeping Dimitry occupied with food while she re-enchanted Saphirias collar? If so, the girl would be forced to reveal the full truth by tonight. Dimitry thought he had until tomorrow to plot an escape, but it seed he had only a few hours.
Damn.
If only he had known sooner. His only options were to attempt an escape now or live life as a magically bound servant. The choice was obvious. Dimitry bowed, pocketed all five small coins, and left the reception hall. He rushed into his room and shut the door.
The old womans suspicious of you, and the oaf hates your guts, Precious whispered into his ear.
Obviously. Dimitry threw his leather bag onto the bed and cramd a small stash of tal tools and dried at inside. I need you to keep an eye out for whoever will be following us.
As always.
Delphine told us we need to go to the market square. Itll probably be crowded. Would you be able to sense soone spying on us, anyway?
Humans trying to stay hidden are the easiest to find, Precious spoke like a hunter about deer.
Dimitry stacked strips of fabric between bottles of aqua vitae, boiled water, and willow bark extract. Lets go then.
But what about ?
He strapped the bag over his shoulder. What about you?
What do I get out of helping you and your wife escape?
My undying gratitude, secure human investnts, and all the fruit your little heart could possibly want.
But I might be risking my life, Precious said, tugging on his ear. You gotta give sothing better than that!
Well, what kind of things do you like?
Shiny things.
If youre talking about gold, forget it. I barely have money as is.
Gold? I cant even lift that. Try to be more creative.
Dimitrys biggest weaknessguessing what won want. You know that grass ribbon you use to tie your hair into a ponytail? Ill get you sothing a lot nicer.
Precious paused for a second. Thats not bad.
Keep track of anyone following us. Dimitry pushed the door open, looked both ways to confirm that the hallway was empty, and left the brothel.
Aside from alleyways filled with holess, the pleasure district comprised desolate streets. The suns rays drowned out the light of glowing crimson stones bound to timber-frad walls. Hopefully, it would be the last ti Dimitry saw them. He headed towards the market square.
Anyone? he whispered.
There are lots of shady characters around here. Its hard to tell.
Im counting on you. The words reluctantly slid out of his mouth.
Dimitry suppressed the urge to run, strolling through the streets instead. Head held highbut not high enough to expose the faerie concealed underneath his hoodhe lded into crowds. Before long, they arrived at the market square.
Two suspects, Precious said.
Aside from food stalls lining building walls and won carrying trays of at pastries, the open field the size of a football stadium no longer contained people hawking their products. Instead, a crowd comprising the poor and well-off, young and old, hollered excited words at a central platform. On it stood a group of perforrs wearing tights enchanted with a light pink spell.
Tell when one leaves, Dimitry said.
Yep.
Dimitry placed two sweaty fingers against his carotid artery. Pulse was rapid. Although he was no stranger to adrenaline, this rush was different. He had spent his life running from test to test, surgery to surgery, but none of it ever posed a tangible threat.
Now he was in a world far away from friends and family and held three lives in his hands. He preferred if they were trauma patients. His current task went beyond his skill set.
The cheering crowd bumped into Dimitry, waking him from his musings. He gave two stifled shouts to appear entranced by the show. It would be suspicious to be the only downcast faced man in a vibrant audience.
On stage, two perforrs held a third, while another stood in front of them.
Slipia! a perforr yelled.
They launched a man across a rough wooden floor, and, like a penguin sliding along a snow-covered hill, he glided across the stage effortlessly, then up a ramp and flew into the sky. After several flips in mid-air, the perforr landed unhard in his coworkers arms.
The crowd erupted into cheers.
Dimitry guessed that slipia reduced the coefficient of kinetic friction between the stage and the perforr, allowing them to slide uninhibited across a wooden stage.
Ooh, I want to see! Preciouss face peeked out from under Dimitrys hood. Her golden ponytail brushed against Dimitrys cheek.
Were being watched. Focus on tracking, Dimitry whispered. When we get out of here, Ill bring you to all the shows you want.
You worry too much, Dumitry.
Dimitry tapped his foot against the floor. Didnt she express concern for her life a short while ago? He tried to hold his head still while scanning their surroundings, but the sheer population density made it challenging to identify pursuers. Dimitry forced his attention back on the show.
Each perforr held a long iron rod and, one by one, chanted Attractia!. They approached each other, rods facing forward like jousters, but an unseen force repelled them at the last mont. A boy beside Dimitry screeched an ear-shattering laugh.
The crowd went silent when a perforr held out a finger. Iron rod held out, he dashed across the central platform and cartwheeled over another rod perpendicular to the ground. The two rods stuck to one another and, like a flag at half-mast, the perforr held onto its side. Deafening shouts ca from every direction.
The iron rods repelled and attracted one another. Did attractia magnetize them?
Precious excited breaths tickled Dimitrys ears. What happened this ti?
Are the pursuers still there?
She stayed silent for a while. I cant sense two anymore.
I asked you to tell as soon as one left, didnt I?
No need to get so mad.
Dimitry took a deep breath. I know the shows exciting, but I really need your help.
Fine, fine.
The crowd grew in size and density, flooding the entire market square. Forceful shoves from onlookers pushed Dimitry further towards the center. That was good. The more packed the venue, the easier it would be to sneak out undetected. He wiped a sweaty palm against his pants and turned his gaze towards the central platform.
Every perforr on stage clapped, and the crowd followed suit. The speed and volu rose until shouts and hands slapping against one another drowned out individual voices. A dozen n in tights held hands, forming a circle. They spun round and round as if preparing for a dramatic finale.
Dimitrys heart rate soared; the muscular organ pounded against his chest. He clutched the leather bag strap tighter into his shoulder, ready to barge through a compact cluster of people.
Noisia!
Screams and claps grew thrice-fold, as if to tear out Dimitrys eardrums. He slamd a finger into each ear to repel encroaching tinnitus and hearing loss.
Hold on tight, Dimitry tried to shout into his tunic. The vocal cords in his larynx vibrated futilely.
Like soone at a rock concert, a man whose throat bulged vasculature raged alongside countless cheering masses that shuffled and thrust their fists into the air.
Dimitry ramd through narrow crevices between people and forced his way through the crowd. Like an ideal gas, they shoved from all sides and cut off every exit. Precious clung to his neck to avoid getting crushed. After a minute of tunneling, a cool breeze swept away the humid air of urine and sweat.
Are you okay? Dimitry whispered into his cloak.
I can barely hear you! Precious hissed. My ears are ringing!
Cover them next ti. Are we still being followed?
T-theyre pushing through the crowd right behind us.
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