The sun had climbed to midmorning before the grate in the alley opened slightly. It stopped, but then a hand pushed it open the entire way.
Alessio pulled himself through and got to his feet, brushing off his clothes. He’d layered a brown vest over a hunter-green tunic in the outdated style of Yvain. His pants and boots were serviceable and clean, and the threads on his vest, while simple, were carefully stitched. Not a lot of money, then. But enough to keep him looking respectable.
I tried to tuck the stain on my skirt behind other folds.
At least Alessio hadn’t shaved. The stubble across his jaw and cheeks gave him a rakish, instead of sloppy, appearance that matched his seemingly carefree smile.
A smile he kept to himself when he discovered me waiting. “You came back.” His shoulders slumped. “Just go home, Clipper Girl.”
I pushed myself off the wall. “I have no home to go back to.”
His face flushed at his gaffe, but he didn’t say anything. He left the alley and I followed after, rushing to catch up. His long legs made his stride much lengthier than mine.
“And I can’t go anywhere until I get what I came for,” I continued.
“What do you even need his help for anyway? He’s an old man and you’re a real clipper.”
I couldn’t ignore the stress he’d put on real. But there was no point in keeping anything secret anymore. Without Marcello, I had no plan. And with no plan, the Da Vias would win.
“He’s not that old. And I need him to tell me how to reach the Da Vias in Ravenna. To help me kill them all. I can’t do it alone.” Whether I could do it even with help remained a mystery. But once I got Marcello, we could work on a plan together.
Alessio looked at me, a strange expression on his face. We left the backstreets and entered a main road, with people heading to the nearest square and day market. Alessio fell in line behind the crowd, and I followed.
“I could help you kill them.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Why?”
“Because you need the help.”
No one simply offered to help without an ulterior motive. “Acacius is the god of debts. Are you sure you’re not trying to accrue some favor?”
He frowned. “I’m devoted to Safraella.”
I pursed my lips. There was nothing he could gain from helping me.
“When I was young,” he interrupted my thoughts, “someone once helped me for no other reason than just to help me. I try to do the same when I can.”
“You don’t know what you’re offering. What you’d be getting yourself into.”
“Well, my master won’t help you. At least, not with killing the Da Vias. He doesn’t leave the tunnels anymore. Not for the last few years.”
“Why?” I asked.
“He’s worried people are searching for him. He stays hidden.”
“What people?”
Alessio didn’t respond. We reached the square and broke free of the crowd. He led me around the market.
“And where are we going?” I asked.
“Breakfast.” He waved his hand at a small café before us.
My stomach grumbled at the smell of warm baking bread. I tucked my hair behind my ear. “I don’t—”
“Judging by how desperately you eyed that fruit the other morning,” Alessio interrupted, “I’m betting you haven’t taken time to enjoy the finer points of Yvain, one of which is our food. And it’s my treat.”
“Why did you steal that fruit for me?”
He shrugged. “You looked hungry. Like you do now.”
He pulled out a chair for me, and I hesitated. My funds were so low, and I had been neglecting regular meals. But I didn’t want to be beholden to him. I already needed his help with Marcello. . . .
“I don’t bite, Clipper Girl,” he said.
“That’s not my name.” I sat down. It would be stupid of me not to take advantage of the free food. The Da Vias would be well fed when I faced them.
“Kalla Lea, then.”
I ignored his correction. I had to remain on his good side. “He could be right, you know.”
Alessio sat across from me and signaled a waiter. “Who?”
“My uncle. People could be looking for him. Are looking for him actually, just not very actively.”
Alessio snorted.
“It’s true,” I said. “The Da Vias have never really stopped their search for him. Which is another reason why he should help me.”
“If he stays put, he’s hidden.”
“The Da Vias are after me. It’s only a matter of time before they realize I’m here. And once they do, they’ll be crawling all over this city. It won’t be safe for anyone.”
He scratched the stubble on his jaw. “I don’t think that will convince him. Once he’s made up his mind, he rarely budges.”
I could be stubborn too, though.
The waiter delivered some sort of pocket bread stuffed with meat and fruit. I wrinkled my nose.