Amari’s steps quickened as she walked through the empty streets. Her mind raced, replaying Lio’s words over and over again.
What unsettled her most wasn’t the rebellion—it was the way he had known her na, her power.
She had never revealed that part of herself to anyone outside the shop. Not unless... soone had been watching.
Back in the shop, she shut the door firmly behind her and locked it. Nova was standing near the shelf, organizing the jars, but turned when he noticed her tense expression.
"You look pale. What happened?"
He said.
"I... t soone. He called himself Lio. Said he was part of so rebellion."
Amari replied, pulling her hood back.
Nova raised an eyebrow but said nothing, waiting for her to continue.
"He knew who I was. My na. Even my ability. He showed his too—fire."
She shivered slightly.
"It reminded of you. So I left."
Nova tilted his head.
"And now you’re telling all this?"
"I had to. I needed to talk to soone about it.’
She muttered.
"Amari, what if I’m a spy? Or sothing worse?"
Nova said slowly.
She looked at him, eyes steady.
"Even if you were, it wouldn’t matter. You’ve been here too long, you know too much. You’re already tangled in everything. I can’t pretend you’re just a stranger anymore."
Nova blinked at that, sothing unreadable crossing his face. Then he went back to cleaning, as if her confession hadn’t shaken the room.
The next morning, the city stirred with whispers.
Amari had just finished arranging the front display when two custors rushed past the shop without even looking in. Her brows furrowed. She stepped outside, scanning the street.
That’s when she heard it—low mutters, snippets of conversation.
"Soone attacked the queen’s army—"
"Wasn’t a priest or noble—"
"They said it was... magic. Raw magic."
Her blood turned cold.
Back inside, she shut the window and turned to Nova.
"Did you hear them?"
"I did. And you need to stop looking like you’ve seen a ghost."
He replied calmly.
"But if soone saw yesterday—if they connected it to —"
Nova crossed the room in a few strides and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Panicking won’t help. The more you react, the more suspicious you’ll look."
"But I didn’t even an to use my power yesterday. I was just—afraid."
She whispered.
"That doesn’t change the fact that you did. Now you have to stay quiet. We don’t know if those rumors are about you or soone else."
"But what if they are? What if this Lio told soone?"
Nova looked at her evenly.
"Then we wait. Watch. And act only when we have to."
Amari clenched her fists, forcing her heart to slow. She hated this. The helplessness. The unknown.
The feeling that everything she had built—her shop, her safety—could collapse at any second.
And worse, she hated how her only comfort right now ca from soone she didn’t even truly understand.
Amari paced the shop restlessly, chewing her bottom lip.
"I can’t just sit here and do nothing, Nova. If the rumors are about , I need to do sothing before it all falls apart."
Nova leaned against the counter, arms crossed.
"And what do you plan on doing, exactly? March up to the royal palace and declare your innocence? That’s not how this works."
Amari exhaled sharply.
"I know that. But waiting feels like inviting disaster."
Nova’s gaze sharpened.
"There’s another option. This Lio—he said the rebellion is forming beneath the nobility’s feet. If that’s true, and if they’re targeting people like you... then maybe they’re your best bet now."
Amari frowned.
"You think I should join them?"
"I think, you should consider all the pieces before you decide which ones to move."
Nova said, voice calm.
Amari hesitated. Her mind went to Lio’s intense eyes, to the fire he’d conjured so easily, and the way he’d spoken about chains and tyranny.
Was he telling the truth? Or was it just another trap—one she’d be foolish to fall for?
But before she could answer, a soft knock sounded at the door.
Nova moved first, stepping to the window and peering through a crack in the curtain.
"It’s that guard. The one who warned you after the queen incident."
He muttered.
Amari opened the door cautiously, and the guard slipped in, pulling his hood lower.
"I don’t have much ti. I ca to warn you."
He said.
Amari’s heart skipped.
"About what?"
"The queen’s court is already holding secret etings. They’re investigating magical anomalies—specifically, those who aren’t priests or nobility. Your na hasn’t co up yet, but it’s just a matter of ti."
He said, voice low.
Amari’s hands tightened around the hem of her apron.
"Why are you telling this?"
"Because I’ve seen what they do to people like you. They won’t just exile you. They’ll make an example out of you."
His voice was grave.
Nova stepped forward.
"And you want what in return? Gratitude?"
The guard shook his head.
"I want nothing. I’ve just seen too much blood to be comfortable staying silent anymore."
With that, he slipped out the door and disappeared into the shadows.
Amari turned to Nova, her breath shaky.
"I need to talk to Lio again."
Nova narrowed his eyes but didn’t argue.
"Then let’s do it carefully. If you’re getting involved with rebels, we need to know who they’re really working for."
Amari nodded.
"I’ll et with him—on my terms this ti. Sowhere I choose."
Nova’s expression darkened slightly.
"And I’ll be nearby. Watching."
As the sun dipped behind the towers, Amari sent a ssage through the alleyway grapevine—quiet words passed from one shop to the next, until it reached the hidden ears of those who dwelled beneath the city.
If the rebellion truly existed, it would answer her call.
And if it didn’t—then she would know exactly how alone she really was.
______
Silas stepped into the grand sitting room where Anna and Malrik were finalizing the day’s security arrangents.
His expression was tight, his coat hastily thrown over his shoulder, and his gloves only half on.
"I won’t be long. The queen has summoned for an urgent eting. I’ll return before sunset."
He said, voice clipped.
Malrik raised a brow and leaned back in his chair, fingers drumming the armrest.
"Alone?"
Silas paused, sensing the weight behind the question.
"It’s a political eting. There’s no need for you two to co."
Anna stood, arms crossed.
"That’s exactly why we should co."
Silas frowned.
"It’s not that simple. The palace—"
"—is where your life is most likely to be endangered. You forget, this mansion is yours in na only. Your safety is our responsibility now."
Malrik cut in, rising as well.
The noble stiffened.
"I’m not your prisoner."
"No, but you are under our protection. And if you’re walking into the lion’s den, we’re not about to let you go in blind."
Malrik said calmly,
Anna moved to the door and opened it.
"You can argue the politics of it later. Right now, we’re coming with you. That’s final."
Silas exhaled through his nose and gave a reluctant nod.
Silas muttered under his breath but didn’t protest further. As they made their way out, Anna fell in step beside him.
"If the queen called this suddenly, sothing’s changed. Let’s hope it’s not about us. But if it is—we’ll be ready."
She said. Malrik, walking ahead, added,
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