I could tell he struggled to picture it—someone enjoying the poverty that dusted every surface. The houses were close together, made with plastered walls and thatched roofs, most of them sagging slightly. One open door showed dirt floors and a singular room, the worn furniture lit by burning candles. Though everyone looked hungry and tired as they milled about, there was a sense of happiness there too. Perhaps it was that those with less appreciated far more.
“Excuse me, sir. Do you have any food?” Eyes flicking down, I caught sight of a tiny girl’s fist wrapped around Altair’s lush cloak. Her nose was a bit dirty, her mousy brown hair thin. She was missing her top two front teeth, just as she was missing both shoes. I could tell by the way her thin dress seemed to consume her frame that she must be a younger sibling, cursed with hand-me-downs and new-to-me items. But it was the way her wide brown eyes and thin pale lips looked longingly up at Altair that had me nearly breaking down in tears.
And I thought we had it bad. I knew nothing.
Would Altair shove her away? Grow angry at the way the dirt on her hands began to cling to his cloak? Yell? Threaten?
“No, but I have this.” He reached into the pocket of his trousers, a few wisps of shadow tendrils leaking from the cloth, and then he tugged out a silver velvet bag. Swallowing the gasp that crawled up my throat, I watched in awe as he squatted down, took her hand, and placed the entire sack into her palm. “Take it straight home and don’t show anyone but your family, okay?”
The girl nodded, a smile spreading across her face. She moved to step back, but at the last second she leapt forwardand placed a kiss on Altair’s cheek, turning around after to dash home. My eyes flicked to Altair of their own accord, watching as he stared after the girl, his cheeks pink and his grey eyes wide.
“You know, Altair. These people don’t need a savior to offer them a bit of coin every few years. What they really need ischange.They’ll never see better if Dajahim continues to treat them like animals raised for labor.” I wasn’t sure why I said it, especially when I hadn’t been any better, but it seemed to stir the core into action, his legs lifting him back to his full height and face falling into its natural, emotionless mask.
“Let’s hurry up and get out of here.”
With that, we were back to our brisk pace and silent existence, not stopping for anyone else. We wove through the village, arriving at the market near the center with ease. Just as my village had, a stone shops center held a haunting row of wooden gallows. Three bodies swayed in the chilly, rain-soaked air, crows eating at their rotting flesh. I could feel Altair’s horror, his stiffness like an alarm at my side. Though I loathed to do it, I reached over and gripped his arm, squeezing the tense muscle.
“Keep moving. We’ll get my things and go quickly.”
And so we did. We stopped at stalls, overpaying for clothing, herbs, vials, and food. Each time, I’d have Altair go find the next booth while I paid, asking booth-owners what I hoped were nonchalant questions regarding the rebellion. And every time, I was met with suspicion. With glares and silence. With anything but clues.
I didn’t blame them. Trusting strangers got my family killed. I’d never do it again—not fully.
By the time we shadow walked back to Altair’s cottage, I was drowning in failure.
Chapter Ten
Nova
“Tanner told me he doesn’t want to sleep with me anymore. Unsurprisingly, it happened after he found out I’m a shaytan. I don’t really care. If anything, it just proves that all men are disappointing and untrustworthy.”
-From the journal of Nova Tershetta, 9259 AS
Iwasn’t too proud to admit that I was out of ideas.
Days had passed, and all I had accomplished was reading more of Celeste’s journal, tending to my garden, and wallowing in self-pity. Which was far more pathetic than it sounded, because Altair was there to witness it all.
“Time to run,” he said as he came out of the bathroom, his training wear clinging to his body like a second skin. He was in a black set made for winter, the long sleeves and full pants left plain. He hadn’t worn any of his usual adornments—other than his rings—since I’d arrived at his cottage, which I took to callingSnake Lodgein order to annoy him. It was the only thing giving me any joy these days.
“I don’t want to.”
“Surprise, surprise. I don’t care.” A burst of darkness encircled his hand, and then he was tossing my set of training leathers at me, the thick fabric smacking my face and stinging my skin.
“Asshole,” I muttered. Then, just as I was about to whip them back at him, Death leapt from the dusty area atop Altair’s wooden cabinets and landed on his head, biting his scalp. He yelped, reaching up and ripping her down by the scruff on her neck. Her hisses were loud as she swiped at him. Altair hissed back, flicking her in the nose before setting her down.
I couldn’t help it—Ilaughed.
My hand flew up to my mouth, slightly muffling the snorts as Death went for Altair’s bare feet, scratching at the shadow marks that painted his pale skin. He jumped, trying to kick her but missing, and my laughs grew louder.
“Murder, you little rodent! Get away from me!”
“Her name is Death!” I corrected, my laughs fading to soft chuckles as Death slowed her attack. She grew bored of terrorizing him after a few more seconds, prancing away towards the bowl of water I’d set out for her this morning. Altair swept his hand through his hair, which was growing longer than I’d ever seen it, the strands so icy they were nearly silver. His eyes landed on me as his breathing slowed, a grin lifting his cheeks and softening his face.
He’s not to be trusted, Nova. People like him don’t change—not really.
“Surely if you haven’t convinced yourself of that yet, then you never will.”
Can you mind your own business for once?
