The leather.
I trip over the uneven cobblestone, ripping me back to reality and the realization that I’ve been pacing this whole time. I shove the crumpled note back into my vest, mind still reeling as I step out onto the busy street now bathed in sunlight. I shake my head, trying to clear it as I push through the throng of people bartering, gossiping, and cursing.
Beginning to wind through the merchant carts once again, I fall into the familiar rhythm that is my honest occupation—thieving. My mind wanders as I work, leaving me to wonder whether Adena is having any luck selling her clothes on the other end of the long street.
I steal, she sews.
And that’s been our lives for the past five years. I was barely thirteen and utterly alone in the world when Adena quite literally ran into me. Well, she phased right through me. I’ll never forget the look on the Imperial’s face as he sprinted after her, screaming about stolen pastries. And without a second thought, I didn’t hesitate before sticking my foot out into his path. As soon as I got a glimpse of the guard’s face meeting the pavement, I was chasing after the gangly, curly-haired girl who ran right through me.
An uneasy alliance was born that day, one that was supposed to stay that way.
My hand freezes mid-air, hovering over a plump grapefruit when a chilling scream cuts through the mayhem of Loot. I twist around, fruit forgotten, searching through the throng of bodies to find the source of the noise. My eyes scan the crowd before snagging on a small, slumped figure crumpled against a wooden pole stained red at the center of the street. An Imperial hovers over the small boy, whip in hand, looking disgustingly pleased with himself as he stares down at the child. I know that look all too well. I’ve been that bleeding child far too many times.
He got caught.
I wonder what it was that he stole, what it was that could possibly justify such a beating. Some fruit? Maybe a few shillings from a merchant? I remember slumping up against the wooden pole, shaking with the pain caused by each crack of the whip while I bit my tongue to keep from crying out. The pain fades, but the scars remain as a reminder to do better.
The young ones always get caught. They’re needy. They haven’t learned to control their greed or live with their hunger yet, making them easy targets for the Imperials to use as an example.
There’s nothing you can do for him.
I have to beat those words into my head to ensure my feet don’t find their way to the boy. Because I tried once. Tried to step in and help a little girl who reminded me of myself. So scared, and yet, so determined to never show it. When she looked up at me, the fire in her gaze reflected my own. In the end, my attempt to help only ended with extra lashings for the both of us.
I grimace and quickly turn away from the gruesome scene only to get a mouthful of starchy, crumpled uniform when I slam into the lowlife wearing it.
The Imperial stares down at me, amusement flickering in his eyes surrounded by that white mask. Though he looks to be at least ten years my senior, blond hair sticking up at odd angles, he takes his time lazily trailing his gaze over my body. I bite my tongue before I can say something he’ll likely make me regret.
Imperials aren’t known to be gentlemen when it comes to young girls—or to anyone for that matter—and I don’t intend to find out if he is the exception. “So sorry, sir. I seem to be madly clumsy today,” I say, planning my escape into the crowd.
A clammy hand wraps around my wrist and spins me back around. I summon every bit of strength I have to suppress the fighting instinct that screams at me to knee him in the groin and bash his head into the stones beneath our feet.
“Why in such a hurry?” His toothy grin and black eyes send a shiver down my spine, and the foul stench of alcohol on his breath only adds to my unease.
I smile and force myself to be polite as I shake out of his grasp. “Just trying to run some errands before the market gets too crowded, that’s all.”
“Hmm,” he grunts, eyeing me skeptically. “Say, what’s your power, girl?” I fight the urge to stiffen as he continues with a grin, “By decree of the king, I’m to question anyone I feel ... should be questioned.”
He loves being in control. Having power.
“I’m a Mundane,” I say simply, stating my tier on the Elite’s food chain to prove that I am of little threat and importance to him. “A Psychic.” I look him right in his black eyes as I say it, willing his black heart to believe me.
“Is that right? I’ve never met a Psychic before.” He chuckles darkly and takes a step towards me, bending his head close to mine so I get another whiff of the alcohol clinging to him. “Prove it then.”
I’m growing quite tired of that demand.
I meet the Imperial’s eyes, refusing to give him the satisfaction of thinking I’m concerned, though my pounding pulse proves otherwise. “I’m sensing anger and ... regret from you. You’ve ... You’ve just split up with your wife. Well, actually, she left you.” The look of utter shock on his face brings a small smile to my lips. “And if you really want me to be specific, because, well, you told me to prove it, it’s because you ...” I stop mid-sentence, squeezing my eyes shut while pressing fingers to my temple, putting on a convincing show. “... You cheated on her? Wait, I’m getting something else ...” I peek up at his face, now red with rage, as I continue rubbing my temple. “You ... you want her back. But she doesn’t want you—”
I’m prepared for the backhand before I feel the sting of it across my face.
Blood flies from my mouth, and I keep my head turned away from him as he growls close to my face, “Bloody witch is what you are. Get out of my sight, Mundane.”
I spin on my heel and smile, blood pooling in my mouth and dribbling down my chin. I force myself to stumble back into a cart, snatching some fabric hanging off the edge from behind my back. I turn around quickly, clutching the bundle to my chest as I tear off a corner with my teeth to wipe up my bloody mouth and chin. I’ll use part of the fabric as a napkin, and the rest can go to Adena. Two birds with one stone.
Shoving the remaining cloth in my pack, now stuffed full of food, coins, and other stolen goods, I head back towards the Fort all while replaying the last five minutes over in my head.