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Before answering, she took another swig of ale. “Your vendors have been less receptive than I’d anticipated. Only the baker has been helpful, and without knowing what happened to Raf…” Her lips pursed to the side in an attempt to dam up her emotions.

I’d come here and dashed her hopes of closure for her friend. Without knowing why exactly she wanted rotten food, and why it mattered, I couldn’t offer any more assistance.

“Nora, how lovely to see you again.”

My heart turned stone cold, despite the warmth in the friendly greeting. Evenita’s soft smile breaking through her wrinkles greeted me as she slipped into view.

“Evenita,” I said in greeting. “You as well,” I lied, a nervous sweat breaking under my clothes.

Her deepening smile almost made me believe she knew it, too. “Thank you for helping Alaina with the baker.”

“It’s no problem.”

“I knew it wouldn’t be.” She threw a hand up, flagging down the one working server.

Had she been the one to tell Alaina I’d help, even before meeting her in the market that day? My skin dotted and tightened along my arms as I contemplated the vast knowledge this woman held about me, if she’d known I had an established relationship with Alejo. Wondering what else she might know about it chilled my blood.

She ordered from the waitress, dismissing her with that kind smile. “I have a gift for you.” She returned her eyes to me.

That gave me pause. “Y-you do?” I glanced a peek at Alaina, who merely looked deep into her emptying cup as she tilted back her head.

“It’s not ready, though. In two weeks time.”

What sort of gift could she possibly have for me? “Why?”

“Because good things take time.”

“No, I mean, why give me a gift at all? You don’t know me,” I countered, folding my arms.

She merely held my stare, her smile unflinching, as she ignored my question to say, “One of my favorite spots in this city has been on that stage, in the town square. You can see it clearly from between the two stalls that sell furs, especially on a cloudless night.”

“I don’t particularly like any part of this town. I want to get home and see my family,” Alaina said bitterly, slamming down her empty mug, giving Evenita a glare that could cut as sharp as a dagger. I shifted in my seat, noting the rub of leather against my hip that held one of my own beneath my shirt. Protection, just in case.

“Family?” I asked, ignoring the blatantly odd choice of scenery Evenita said she liked so much.

“My brother is a baker. A damned good one. I’m missing his saffron buns right about now.”

I’d ask where they lived to continue the conversation, but it seemed moot. The server brought over a water and some rotting apples. The apples skins were soft enough to form to the wooden table beneath, the wrinkly exterior barely holding the mush inside together.

“Seeds,” Evenita said brightly to Alaina.

Alaina flashed a look that indicated she approved, the wash of relief cleansing her of that foul disposition of failure that I knew well.

“Remind me never to eat from your gardens,” I said, cringing at the fermenting fruit.

Alaina laughed.

Just when I was about to ask more about their business in town, a flicker of white light caught my eye. I looked up to see Melody wrapping bright ribbons of light between her fingers. Before my heart could beat again, I was up and moving. Cutting through the ever-growing crowd, I barged up to her, grabbing her arm and hauling her away so violently she almost tripped.

“Hey! What are you doing?!” she cried, the light instantly vanishing when I’d distracted her.

“Are you crazy?!” I whispered, leading her to a corner to give us some privacy.

“What? You told me how proud you were of me just the other day! Didn’t you see what I was doing?”

“Yes, I did, and so did everyone else in this damned tavern!” My rage was breaking the surface.

“And? Isn’t this the one place I’m actually able to show off my magic?” She folded her arms in defiance, anger creasing her beautiful features. Something I rarely saw.