“Sora,” Marina hissed.“That’s not how this works.”
“Will you help me execute my vendetta?”I asked the demigods.
A localized wind whistled suddenly, blowing my braids around so they pelted my back and bare shoulders and cleavage.My skirts—my stupidly long skirts—tangled around my legs.Marina’s loose hair whipped in every direction, lashing her face.
Just as suddenly, the wind settled.Stopped.Passersby on the street beyond the alleyway ambled on as if nothing were amiss.
Marina and I peered within the shrine.
Every flame but the one to the east was blown out, thin tendrils of smoke rising then pooling along the miniature roof.
The vial was empty.The flower petals, both of the lotus and olandry, glowed as if with its light.
“What the scorch does that mean?”I asked.
“I-I think it means the demigods heard us, and that they’re going to help.”
“They are?”
“Well, just the one, I think.Maybe.I don’t really know.They’ve never answered me like this before.I’ve only ever felt them, believed they were there, but I’ve never been sure.”With wide eyes, she gazed up at me.Bit her bottom lip with those sharp teeth to hold back a grin.“I really think they were here.”
Her enthusiasm was contagious.Maybe I didn’t have to take on every asshole in the empire on my own.
“Which demigod do you think it was?”I said.
“Um…” She unthreaded her arm from mine and began packing up her portable shrine, securing its pieces.She tucked it back within her pocket—large but nowhere large enough to hold a shrine, no matter its size—without saying more.
“Mina?”
She looked up.“Hm, what?”
“Why are you playing stupid?”
“I’m doing no such thing.”
“Uh-huh.”I crossed my arms, prepared to wait her out.
She scoffed.“I’m not playing stupid.I just don’t want to have to tell you.”
“Tell me what?”
“Which demigod showed up.”
“So who did?”
“I just told you, I don’t want to say.”
“But you’re still going to, right?”
She patted down her frock as if to ensure everything was in its right place.Pointed one dragon-foot, then the other.Scratched her big nose.
“Mina…”
“Fine.Love, that’s who showed up.Okay?Happy now?”
My mouth dropped open.“Wha-what?Why wouldsheshow up?”
“I have no idea.”
