A needle and thread! “Thank you!”
I take the items as she nods her head. “No problem. Don't pay for it either. Just take it and go.”
I perk my brows. “Really?” Not like I have much to trade anyways. The only thing on me are a few dusty black coins with a green shine that I found on the street. I kept hearing people calling them starcoins, so I took them hoping they'd be enough to pay.
She nods curtly. “Really. Just please take care of yourself.”
So she's just letting me steal her stuff? This would never happen in Somnia, no matter what condition you were in. “I do have a few coins-”
“Keep them,” she says with a bright smile.
I pause, stunned by her rejection. She doesn't say anything, only excitingly nodding back. “Thank you.” I saybefore walking out the store. I've never really experienced that kind of favor from a stranger.
I guess the Amara kingdom is a lot different than what I thought. They seemed more cruel on the battlefield, where they were choking us and shooting our heads.
Back in the white halls, I note how much smaller and cheaper this section of stores are. Their mannequins are wearing obnoxious colors and the materials look thin and easy to rip.
They don't belong in a place that looks like a castle.
I stroll down the hall as I come up with my next plan. Somewhere in this city has to be a good place for me to stitch. Somewhere private and safe from onlookers. Then, I can go about my way to Caelestia. Maybe I should steal some water somewhere before, or clean out a bottle from the garbage and hope I run into a stream.
The thought of that makes me ill, but what choice do I have?
There's a loud high pitched ringing and the sound of smashing glass.
I snap my head up to the main hallway before me. There's a few screams. Women and children run by with bugged eyes and shaking bodies.
Then there's growling.
I make cautious steps towards the corner of the barren hallway. With a sniff, I catch that firewood buttery scent, and other hungering smells mixed with the natural odor of humans.
Then there's the smell of smoke…
I perk out the hall, and spot the fire. Violet fire. Set on the stage in which the orchestra had played and on the leather seats where couples once sat. It's spread to nearby shops and screaming people close by.
The only fires I've seen Amarian’s use are orange, which can only mean one thing.
There's shadows of dark panther-like creatures, with their sharp horns and long canines, carrying black torches with violet fire at the tip. Ones without hiss and snap their teeth, chasing everyone, even women and children. The coppery scent of blood taints the atmosphere as many use their horns to fling their victims over and attack.
I bile rises up my throat. My heart beat pounds my ears. Since when did we attack the Amara kingdom like this? We’ve never gone into the city, and never attacked children!
How did they even get in? Isn't the border protected?
“I didn't think it would be this easy to find you.”
That voice rips my soul out of my body.
The hairs on my back stand up as I slowly turn behind me. My muscles lock in place, only allowing me to look over my shoulder to stare at the woman with a messy brown braid.
Vasilisa?
Chapter 10
Ignatia
Shit!
Wrinkly green eyes twinkle in bloodthirsty delight. Her dark draped ball gown makes her appear more ghostly. She smirks, sharp canine teeth glistening in the light. “I thought you'd be more clever with your whereabouts.”
