I’m weaving my way home through the Night Market when a prickling sensation creeps up my spine.
It makes me uneasy, and I know it can’t be guilt. I’ve pilfered things from Buddy before, and a lone brooch certainly won’t unsettle his deep pockets, so it must be something in the air. A stir of malevolent energy somewhere amid the crowd.
I quicken my pace, winding through the endless tents and stalls. But I can’t shake the feeling that someone is watching me. A glance over my shoulder reveals a shadowy figure with straw-like hair and a long beige coat, three steps behind me. I try to shake them off by immersing myself in the market’s offerings. First, I peruse a selection of voidroot edibles, then I feign fascination as a Helio merchant works his light-manipulation talents to recharge an entire cart of solar lanterns and home power units. With my heart pounding, I steal my way towards the exit, walking faster and faster.
That’s when a merchant, heaving a rolled-up rug on his shoulder, unexpectedly whacks into me, sending me hurtling to the ground.
“Watch it!” I blurt out, scrambling to gather the two rings that have tumbled from my pocket on to the muddy ground.
I look up. The straw-haired figure – a man with a scar across his cheek – is standing over me.
“Is that a moon diamond you’ve got there?” he asks.
I shove the rings into my pocket and grab my fern shears from my right sock before standing up.
“Why are you following me?” I snap.
“Why do you have a weapon concealed in your sock?”
“In case creepy men stalk me through the Night Market.”
The man laughs. “Don’t flatter yourself – I’ve got better things to do. But I couldn’t help but overhear your little conversation back there,” he says with a knowing look, nodding towards Buddy’s tent at the back of the cavern. “It would seem you’ve got some jewels to get rid of. A Necroseal, perhaps?”
“So, what … you’re here to rob me?”
“The opposite, actually. I’d like to buy the moon diamond ring. Provided you’re speaking the truth about its power. I’ll give you forty Lun for it.”
“No way. Buddy gave me fifty for the other ring, and this one’s worth more. Fifty’s my final offer. Take it or leave it.”
The man smiles. “You drive a hard bargain,” he concedes, taking a coin purse from his inside pocket. “Mind if I pay you in Sol? I’m a little light on change.”
“It all comes out to the same thing.” I retrieve the ring with gritted teeth, keeping it closed in my palm until he reveals the money.
The man counts out the payment, five gold coins with a radiant run on the side. “Here you are,” he says, extending his hand.
I pocket the money and hand over the ring, my grip still firm on the shears. “Don’t even try to follow me home. I’m not afraid to use these,” I warn, attempting to sound more menacing than I feel.
He chuckles. “Safe journey home, dear. I only care about the jewel. I won’t be following you.”
And a moment later, his lanky form melts away into the crowd. Though strangely, the feeling of being followed stays long after he’s gone.
Chapter Three
“Talia Louise Sereneth, do you know what time it is?” my sister shouts when I finally make it home. I know that tone. I’m about to get a lecture.
Inside, Elara flies around the tiny kitchen, her patchwork apron fluttering like the wings of a butterfly, and her favourite wooden spoon dangerously close to falling from its perch in the front pocket.
As she flings open the oven, a cloud of steam fills the room. I greedily inhale the smell of lemon and poppy seeds.
I’ll never not appreciate coming home to the smell of cake after a day spent wrestling with a Soul Wraith – even more so tonight, after my run-in with the strange man at the market. He promised he wouldn’t follow me home, but I kept an eye out nonetheless. The thought of him skulking around outside right now, watching us through a crackin the curtains… I wouldn’t think twice about using my shears if he tried to hurt Elara.
Elara retrieves the tray and sets the cupcakes down on the countertop. “Jeez, Talia, look at the state of you,” she exclaims. “What happened?”
“Nothing I couldn’t handle. It was a tricky Soul Wraith, that’s all.” I secure the latch on the front door behind me. “Don’t worry about it.”
Elara regards me seriously, a light-blonde wisp of flour-dusted hair drifting on to her face. “I wish you wouldn’t do this, sister.”
“We don’t have enough money not to. And you know me – there’s a twisted part of me that enjoys it.” I take a seat on the rickety three-legged stool by the door.
