“Trust me. There’s plenty left.”
That piques my interest. Just how much did he get? It doesn’t matter. Well…it might if I plan on eating at some point.
Finally, I relent, reasoning that, despite my growing power, having another form of protection wouldn’t be the worst idea.
While Atticus bargains with the lady, I gravitate toward the neighboring stand, drawn by the mysterious vials. The edge is crowded with jars brimming with herbs, bugs, and other oddities, stirring up an uneasy reminder of the lab I stumbled upon. A ripple of unease coils through me.
Some of the containers are so vibrant, nearly neon, and they immediately catch my attention. Others, however, are a weird murky color that leaves a bad taste in my mouth. They’re quite repulsive. The lack of labels suggests this isn’t a place for aimless browsing—you have to know what you’re looking for.
I have no clue.
I look up from the table, hoping to see Atticus where I left him, and to my surprise, he’s already heading in my direction.
“You really didn’t have to do that,” I tell him as he gets closer.
He shrugs his shoulders, like it was no big deal. “It’s nothing. I mean, they were fromyourdragon.” Instinctively, my hand rushes to cover his mouth, and I shush him, swiveling my head to make sure nobody heard.
Hot air blows against the side of my hand, and I pull it back. “Sorry.” Atticus doesn’t say anything, and he looks slightly less annoyed then I would’ve thought.
“Do you want these or not?” These? Like multiple? He hands me a small brown paper bag, and inside is the dagger I’ve become strangely attached to and a sheath to house it.
“You got me a sheath too?” I ask excitedly. My eyes light up as I examine the deep cherry-red color. It’s gorgeous. And there are light markings engraved over it, matching the ones on the hilt.
He must see the look of appreciation ghosting in my eyes, because he quickly says, “Don’t get all sappy with me. Let’s get you away from this table and go find some food.” My stomach gurgles at the mention of eating.
“That sounds like a great idea.” I keep the goods tucked safely in the bag while fighting the urge to strap it on now. We weavethrough the bustling market, stopping first at a fruit stand then at the vegetables. Atticus chats as we go, promising to make me one of Serena’s favorite dishes when we get back, until he suddenly falls silent. His brows knit together as he stares past the crowd, eyes locked on something I can’t see. I rise onto my tiptoes, straining for a glimpse, but it’s no use.
Suddenly, she comes into view, but the look on her face has me worried. “Let’s go!” Odeyssa says, running past us. Atticus wastes no time, darting after her while I stand frozen for a beat longer.
You can’t trust anyone.
But they’re my friends.
You have no friends.
Against my better judgment, I follow them. The back of Atticus’s head comes into view for just a moment before he swerves right, vanishing from sight as he makes his way toward his house.
Hurrying down the same path, my steps turn sluggish through the building snow, and by the time Atticus’s cottage comes into view, I’m exhausted.
What’s wrong?Voraxis pushes.
Nothing. Just tired.There’s a twinge of uncertainty that passes through the bond, but he leaves it at that. If I gave him even the smallest indication I thought something was off…Gods know what he would do.
Stumbling into the house, I find Odeyssa and Atticus on the couch, talking in hushed whispers.
“What’s going on?” I ask tentatively. Both of their gazes swing up to meet mine, but I can’t get a clear read on either of them.
“What happened?” Odeyssa inquires, completely bypassing my question, eyes practically bulging out of her skull.
“Like I said, it’s not a big deal,” Atticus murmurs, like it’s a continuation of their conversation. But I have a naggingsuspicion that’s not the case.
“You’re right. It’s not a big deal. It’s ahugedeal! Tell me who did this, and I will make sure they’re taken care of,” she fumes.
I raise a hand. “That would be me.”
Odeyssa looks at a loss for words. “What do you mean? Why would you do this?”
“It was an accident.”
