“Which is why no one ever comes down here,” Leap said with far too much cheer considering the circumstances. He led us up the path and to a ladder a few yards away, and I followed, trying to ignore the sound of small bones crunching beneath my feet. “Up this way.”
He scampered up the ladder, nimble as a monkey, and Einar and I did the same. There was a low scraping sound as Leap pushed aside what I assumed was a sewer hole cover, and the next thing I knew, we were climbing out of the sewer and into a dim alleyway.
“Oi!” a voice said, and I nearly jumped out of my skin. Sitting on top of a dumpster was another air fae child, a female dressed in loose canvas pants, sturdy boots, and a long, double-breasted coat with many pockets. Her bright purple hair was pulled back into corkscrew pigtails, and while she had an innocent-looking face with chubby, pink cheeks and a wide mouth meant for smiling, her silver eyes were narrowed on Leap.
“Elra,” Leap said in a resigned voice. “I should have known you’d be here.”
“Well of course I’m here. It’s my turn to watch the alleyway.” She hopped off the dumpster and came to stand in front of us, arms crossed over her flat chest. She was taller than Leap by at least six inches, and looked about a year older than him. “What are you doing back in Wynth? I thought you’d left for good.”
Leap swept a hand toward me and Einar standing behind him. “I’m playing tour guide for a few of my friends,” he said with a smirk. “They wanted to see the underbelly of Wynth up close and personal.”
Elra snorted. “And you’re not going to pick their pockets?” She eyed us up and down as if we were marks. “Not that they look like they’ve got much on them.”
“Gee, thanks,” I said.
Einar huffed. “Never thought I’d be standing in a stinking alley listening to a street urchin insult me, but here we are.”
Elra ignored us both, turning her attention back to Leap. “Storm isn’t going to be happy you’re here, you know.”
Leap narrowed his eyes. “I don’t care. Storm doesn’t own the city, and I’m not here to interfere with his business.” He raised a hand, and a chill wind whipped through the alleyway, tugging at Elra’s pigtails. “Are you going to stand in my way, Elra, or are you going to let us pass?”
Elra sighed. “No. But I wish the two of you would make up. I don’t like this rift.”
Leap shrugged, but his expression softened a little. “We can’t always change which way the winds blow,” he said softly.
“I know.” She stepped aside, then clapped him on the shoulder. “Be careful.”
We filed past Elra and out of the alley, into a wide street lined with shops and restaurants. The street was filled with working class fae coming and going, and we fell into step easily with the crowds. Lamp posts lined the sidewalks, and there were festive-looking garlands strung between them made of colorful paper cranes.
“What was that all about?” Einar asked as we followed Leap, keeping our hoods up to hide our features. “Are you involved in some kind of street gang?”
“Nope,” Leap said brightly as he led the way. But there was a bounce in his step that seemed a little too deliberate, and the stiff set of his shoulders told a different story. “Just a little argument between old friends. Shouldn’t affect us at all.”
“Uh huh.” I didn’t believe him one bit. “Is that why that girl mentioned a fae that doesn’t want you in the city?”
Leap shrugged. “It’s not my fault that not everyone loves my winning personality.” He winked at me. “Relax, fire girl. I’m not about to get you involved in a gang war.”
“Fine.” I huffed out a breath. “So how do we see the Oracle? Do we make an appointment?”
“Nah,” Leap said, stopping by a cart filled with fresh steamed buns. He snatched up three of them, then flipped the vendor a coin from his belt pouch. “The only people who can make an appointment with the Oracle are royals or fae wealthy enough to make a substantial donation to the temple. Everyone else has to wait until their coming of age ritual. Fae from all over the Gaoth Aire travel to Wynth to present their sons and daughters to the Oracle for the one and only time when she’ll read their future.”
“Where did you get that money pouch?” Einar asked suspiciously as Leap handed each of us a steamed bun. “You weren’t carrying that when we entered the city.”
“Or was I?” Leap winked at him, then bit into the bun. “You should try these. They’re really good.”
Einar scowled, then took a bite. A look of rapture slowly spread across his face, his grump countenace vanishing. “This is delicious,” he groaned.
I took a bite, and had to bite back a groan myself as the taste of spiced meat and savory dough melted into my tongue. “This may be the best thing I’ve ever eaten,” I said.
Leap grinned around a mouthful of bun. “I know. I used to eat these almost every day. I missed them.” A wistful look crossed his face briefly before he shoved the rest of the treat into his mouth.
I took another bite, chewing thoughtfully. “I’ve never had a coming of age ritual,” I said to Leap. “Any chance we could fake one for me so I can get a reading?”
Leap shook his head. “It’s only done for the Gaoth Aire people, and you are very obviouslynotan air fae.” He playfully tugged the end of my lavender blue braid.
I frowned. “I could change my hair color, try to blend in.”
“Even if you did that, parents have to reserve readings at least a year in advance.” Leap glanced toward the temple, its spires glittering in the distance. “Sneaking into the temple is our best hope.”
