Just a couple of blocks away from Tayna’s adoptive family’s house, heavy steps and clanking of weapons disturb the night silence.
The Night take you! City Guards. The last thing I need now is someone asking questions. Hastily, I open the upper buttons of my shirt, pinch my cheeks, flare my skirt, and let my long black braid snake between the mounts of my high breasts.
“Good evening, honorable guards!” A saccharine smile stretches my lips. The streets have taught me that everyone tries to put you in a certain box. And if you’re good at acting, you can steer them toward the box you wish them to put you in. “A pretty young thing, probably earning some coppers from the gentlemen of this respectable neighborhood.” This is the box I fit perfectly now, winking at the younger guard, who blushes like a maiden and quickly looks away.
“By Atos!” The older one grunts and rolls his eyes, and they continue on their way. Maybe the men are annoyed they cannot go to Red Moon Square, but it went better than expected.
The garden crickets grow quiet as I jump over the low stone fence and land in the grass. Sneaking between the manicured bushes of the two-story mansion, I curse when I see that the light in my sister’s room is off.
Tayna is already asleep, but something urges me to wake her up. Some dark, ill feeling that’s been there since that mad merchant went flying across the stables. I scoop some gravel from the alley and toss the tiny rocks at her window. After three clicks, the sleepy face of my sister appears in the gap between the white starched curtains and beams when she spots me peeking behind the thick cypress. Her tiny face, framed by the heavy blonde braids, disappears, and a minute later, she is in my arms.
“Talysse, so happy you came to see me! It’s been such a terrible day—” She sobs, her face buried in the curve of my neck. My chest tightens, and I wipe off her tears with my thumbs.
“Another suitor?” I softly ask, cupping her narrow face. She has inherited my father’s straw-blond hair and warm hazel eyes, so common for Satreyah. But this dreamy smile comes from my mother. At twelve, my sister is already a beauty and too young to marry, but her adopters disagree. Eager to cash out her looks and innocence for money and a title, they’re actively looking for suitors since she started bleeding last summer. Rumor has it that all the luxury they’re living in is coming from marrying off their beautiful adoptive daughter to rich older men.
Yet another reason for me to do anything within my power to get us out of here.
“I am scared, Talysse. He is enormous. And the women are whispering that he is already twice widowed—both his wives dead at fourteen…Cousin Ephraina told me that his last wife had a tiny pet goat. He got jealous that she was spending time with it and made her slaughter it, cook it, and eat it…what if we have a baby, and he gets jealous, Talysse?” Her wide hazel eyes meet mine. Blood is thumping in my temples, and my jaw locks. If that bastard tries to hurt her, I will flay him alive. Yet, I am not planning to linger around and let this wedding happen. If all goes well, we’ll be on our way to the Free Cities with the next caravan.
“I think that Cousin Ephraina is a fool. Besides, we’re leaving for the Free Cities soon—” I even manage a smile and a wink, but deep inside, dark claws are ripping my heart apart. Cousin Ephraina is not a fool, and the haughty adoptive parents of Tayna would sell her like cattle to the first murderer if he is willing to pay the price.
I need to act soon.
Tonight.
I’ll make some coin, just a little more to buy us safe passage. Then I’ll get Tayna and we’ll until the next caravan to the South agrees to take us.
“Tell me about it, Talysse!” Her teary eyes lift to meet mine, and I tell her the story of our imaginary trip, a story that always calms her, and send a feverish prayer to the Elders that it happens soon.
“The caravans cross the Wastelands, protected by mages. Father has done it often and told me everything about it! When night falls, the mages place star crystals around the camp and cast their spells so the travelers remain safe in their tents. Then they all sit by the campfires and tell each other stories or sing songs to mock the darkness…but you know that mages are scarce, and traveling with a caravan is expensive, and the Free Cities and the shores of the sea are far, far away. Of course, some poor souls have tried crossing the Wastelands alone, without the protection of the Blessed Light magic—”
“What happened with them, Talysse?”
I smoothen the loose strands of hair over her forehead and whisper, “They were never seen again. But fret not. Tomorrow, I will have enough money to get us on the safest caravan. And you will get to ride a pony, just like the one you had at home—”
The weight of the memories breaks my voice, and I force my gaze up, squinting against the golden light, once again trying to see the stars. If only I could read our future in the constellations, like the ancients!
Hurried steps and shouts startle us. Judging by the noise, a large group of men are approaching.
Guards.
They come around the street corner, carrying torches, their blades drawn. Seems like a search party. Probably, a robbery or a murder happened somewhere nearby. Lights appear in the windows of the stone mansion behind us.
“Get back to bed, Tayna! I will come to get you tomorrow.” One last hug, one traitorous tear, and I leap over the fence, away from the guards.
Talysse
The Red Moon Square
Iwas right. Everyone who’s not asleep is here. A bard with a blond mustache sings the Ballad of the Sun Queen, winking at the blushing girls in the audience. Loud swarms of kids dart between the quickly put-together stands, where merchants praise their wares. The whole town is bustling with life and colors, everyone wearing their best clothes.
At the heart of the square, next to the old well decorated with decaying statues of the five Elders, remnants of Tenebris’s past glory, is the highlight of the night. The puppeteers have erected a colorful structure set ablaze by the light of many cleverly placed lanterns. The crowd is really dense there, and vendors make their way among the townsfolk, offering refreshments. As much as I’m curious about the world before the Hex, I don’t let the cardboard trees and silk flowers on the makeshift stage distract me; I am here for business. My eyes wander from face to face, searching for my partners.
“Help a poor blind woman,” a familiar voice warns me just before Squinting Ann crashes into me. Seems like the Elders are merciful tonight. Ann is generous, and her schemes always work flawlessly. She has never cheated me before and has the largest network of sinister acquaintances. She looks around to see if anyone is watching before leaning in closer.
“The tall one over there,” Squinting Ann winks at me with her dark eyes, “seems rich. Take him to Wet Dog Alley. Got four of me best boys waiting there.”
I quickly spot the tall, hooded frame, sticking out of the crowd like a sore thumb. He’s watching the play. There’s something odd about him, and as if the townsfolk sense it, there’s a wide empty circle around him. People are avoiding him as if he were a Shadowfeeder.
