Page 39

A.L.I.S.S.A

I 've never left my pack, not once in my twenty years of life.

My pack is large, and it had everything I would need.

I spent my time going from house to house and cleaning constantly just to be able to eat the moment I turned sixteen.

Only our Alpha and his closest men were allowed to leave the pack, and while it seemed oppressive, nobody ever complained.

Not because they feared our Alpha—Alpha Zander had the most inhumane punishments for whoever defied his laws—but because no one knew what was out there, or if the world was even worth anything anymore.

In their minds and my own, it was better to live with the monster you knew than the ones you didn't.

That was my mistake.

As I stare up, wide-eyed, at the gleaming, glass-fronted building that reaches high in the sky, I realise how much I've missed out on.

Creatures move around us in a steady flow, but there's a weariness in their steps.

Most wear sun-bleached, dust-stained clothes in muted shades of sand and stone to match the desert surrounding them.

"What is this place?" I murmur, watching a security drone hum above our heads. Its polished metal body hovers above us as it scans the surrounding area for any signs of danger or disturbance.

"It's the District 4 Yellow Zone, and this is the Yellowstone Marketplace," Seth answers, hands in his pockets. The air is thick with heat—humid and stifling despite the desert outside—carried in waves by hidden cooling vents that can't quite mask the dryness on my skin.

This place is a stark contrast to the forests I grew up in, where the air was heavy in a different way—cooler, damper, always laced with the scent of decay. And while this place feels artificial, it's alive. The forest, though… It's real. Dying, but real.

"Most trade happens in these parts, because it’s a lot more affordable. The only other exception is the Green Zone, but trade over there will require you to sell your soul."

My jaw falls open at Seth's words, but then Haze muses, "Don't look so worried, Fox." She throws her arm over my shoulders, causing me to stiffen, as her mismatched eyes sparkle knowingly. "It's the end of the world; your soul doesn't mean shit anymore."

Seth, my absolute favourite person right now, pulls me out of Haze's grip so he's standing between us. "Just because your soul died, don't pretend others have forsaken theirs."

"Oh, Seth." Haze sighs dramatically. "You know so much. For someone who lives in a castle so high up in the sky, you're basically neighbours with the Gods."

Seth growls, but right before he can say something, Reece grins. "This is it!"

We turn our heads to a small shop nestled between two larger buildings. It’s a cute little store that looks elegant and clean, with soft neon lights flashing in hues of white and yellow.

“This is the place the Sergeant spoke off, I’m sure of it,” Reece tells us, and skips to the door, and I can't help but stare after her.

I don't know her all that well, but she's acting a lot more childlike than I would have pictured her, especially because, from what I've seen, she's constantly worrying and taking care of the people around her.

We enter the small shop, and I immediately notice the electronic devices, luxury goods, and video games arranged in neat rows under the carefully placed overhead lights.

There also seems to be a nervous energy in the air as a few people linger around, discussing trades, offering objects, and exchanging favours for goods.

Reece walk up to the counter, scanning the rows of goods as her finger brushes absently against the edges.

Haze turns to the clerk behind the counter, smiling warmly.

"Hello there.” Haze brushes the tips of her fingers against the back of his hand.

“I'm looking for the Pheonix Amulet, and we believe it’s here. I don’t suppose you have it? "

The clerk, whose name is Wells from his name tag, adjusts his glasses and stares at Reece, Seth, and me with sharp eyes before his lips pull into a smile that seems too big.

The man taps his fingers along the counter, posture stiff as he assesses us carefully.

"The Phoenix Amulet, huh? A rare find. Dangerous one, too, it'll cost ya. "

Reece seems to have come prepared. She reaches into her tote bag and pulls out a vial of shimmering blue liquid. "I have a healing elixir for minor injuries only."

Wells squints and leans a little closer, glaring at the elixir High Lord Kyrian, no doubt, had given her for this specific reason. "You think I'd trade an amulet of the Gods for junk that could be fucking water for all I know?"

I lean into Seth, whispering, "Aren't you going to help her?"

Seth nods and takes a step forward, but Reece's eyes narrow as she glares at the clerk.

"Not junk. This elixir can probably fix your eyesight if you think this shimmering liquid is water.

" My jaw loosens, and I hear Haze snicker beside me.

“But if you don't want it, I'm sure the soldiers holding down the fort in the Red Zone Bases will appreciate it more.

They're always getting injured over there. "

Reece begins to put the elixir away, but the clerk is quick to stop her.

"Wait," he says quickly, as Reece simply stares at him with the most unimpressed look. "Fine, you got me. You’re lucky it’s worthless to creatures here; your elixir will sell for better.

But you know… I know a good thing when I have it, and the elixir isn't enough.

I'll need something extra, like maybe some tech from the Green Zone? That kind of trade might interest me."

Seth stiffens and glances around the store carefully. Reece's jaw slackens slightly, and she grits lowly, "What the hell is this? Am I some kind of pawn shop? Creatures from the Green Zone don't hand out their stuff like candy."

Not to mention, creatures from the Green Zone are Royals, members of the court, and very high-ranking soldiers and their families. Selling things from there would only mean the item was obtained illegally, and it’s often sold through darker means.

The clerk simply shrugs. "Just calling it as I see it." His gaze moves down her body, specifically her clothes— our clothes. "That stuff can only come from the Green Zone."

Reece purses her lips and glances down at the clothes she wears. It's a simple white dress that hugs her body, flows around her waist, and reaches her knees. It pairs with white trainers. "I don't have much else on me."

The clerk sweeps his gaze over her, before his eyes land on an item around her neck. Reece snatches it, and his smile only widens. "That. I'll take that."

Reece stiffens, obviously not willing to give away whatever she's holding. Seth steps forward, sensing the tension, but Haze is quicker. She leans against the counter and faces Reece with a raised brow. "What is it?"

Reece hesitates, and my nerves tighten at the scene when Reece's gaze lifts to Haze and hesitates. Haze narrows her eyes, as a cold bead of sweat rolls down Reece's temple, trembling under Haze's scrutiny.

They seem to be having a moment, and I feel like I'm going to buckle under the pressure of it. Reece’s jaw remains tense, almost like she’s fighting not to answer her. But it’s only for a moment.

Haze's eyes shift, and the answer tears from Reece’s lips. "R-Ring. My sister's… ring."

Haze reaches out, peeling Reece's fingers back, and holds the ring in the air as Reece’s hand shoots to her neck, rubbing the area as her eyes flick from Haze to her ring.

I blink, staring at the pretty ring. It’s silver, perfectly intact, with a green emerald sitting at the top. Seth leans forward, snatching the ring out of her hold and settles a hand on Reece's shoulder. "Are you okay?"

"Y-Yeah, it’s worthless to me anyway." Reece shrugs, but Seth doesn’t seem to believe her.

“Reece, I know how important the ring—”

“I said I’m fine!” she yells, cutting Seth off from whatever he wanted to say. The air grows tense, uncomfortable. Then Reece chuckles, attempting to dispel the uncomfortable silence as she unclasps the ring from around her neck and hands it over to the clerk.

“I'll be coming back for that," she tells the clerk, dropping the ring with the chain into his palm. "The amulet, please."

Without a word, the clerk ducks beneath the counter and retrieves a small wooden box. It’s plain, unmarked and a little worn at the corners. The kind of thing you’d walk past a hundred times without a second glance.

I frown as the clerk opens the box. Inside, resting on a thin layer of worn leather, sits the Phoenix Amulet. Gold and gleaming. Almost too perfect. Its surface catches the light in a way that makes it shimmer as though it’s alive. But it’s not what I expected. It’s beauty almost feels… deliberate.

“Don’t you think we should test if it’s real?” Seth tells her, but Reece doesn’t seem to hear him. She simply closes the box, turns on her heel, and walks out.

"I'm sure you feel a lot safer already," I tell Reece, placing a hand on her shoulder in comfort. Reece turns to me, and for a moment, her eyes seem blank before she quickly plasters a smile on her face and squeezes my hand in hers.

"I do.” Reece beams, glancing between Seth and I. “Thank you so much for coming with me. I know you didn’t believe it existed.”

Seth shrugs, and says, “You know I got your back, but… It just seems a little too easy.”

“You worry too much, Seth,” Reece says, grinning, “not everything needs to be a grand quest. Which reminds me…”

Reece rummages through her tote bag, takes out two vials of red liquid, and hands them to me.

"Since we’re already here, we may as well stop by the food market.

Can you please go to Mr. Smithy's? He’s got fresh chicken I thought we could have for tonight’s dinner.

It would really help me out. I have so many other things to get, and it's getting late already. "

"Um, I-I don't actually know where anything is, Reece. This is my first time here, and I wouldn't know how to trade, either."

Even admitting it out loud is embarrassing, but Reece simply smiles warmly. "Don't worry; it's never too late to learn. I can teach you." She beams, her eyes practically begging me to say yes as I match her excitement and nod.

Reece turns to Seth and holds the vials out to him. "Seth, you know where to go, right?"

Seth doesn't seem like he wants to go and glances slyly at Haze. "I can't. There's no one to watch Haze."

Haze glances up as if she just woke up from sleep and looks at us. "I'll go with you. It’s certainly a lot better than hanging around these two another minute." She turns in Reece's direction. "No offence, Reece. I’ve truly loved our time together, but a girl needs a break every once in a while.”

Seth frowns, clearly not happy with that plan, either, because he glances at Reece, and Reece hooks her arm into mine. "Don't worry. You'll just be down the street. If something happens, Alissa's a four-tailed fox; surely, she can carry me away from danger. We'll be fine for five minutes."

Seth turns to me, and I shrug. I'm fast for a Shifter. I've been told so many times…

By myself, actually. But it counts.

Reece should be fine until they return—hopefully. I think.

"Fine, we won't be long. But stay on this street," Seth says, tone firm—more command than suggestion, his eyes narrowed in warning.

Reece and I roll our eyes in perfect sync as he and Haze turn down the road. We’re just about to turn and go ourselves, but then I feel it—a sensation, sharp and sudden.

I glance back, and I meet Haze’s gaze. Gold. Unblinking. Terrifying.

It lasts only a second, but it hits like a punch to the chest. Those eyes weren’t just looking at me—they were inside me. Peeling back layers I didn’t even know I had, twisting through my mind like smoke searching for weakness.

It’s the kind of look that makes you feel seen in all the wrong ways. Too seen.

I stiffen; my breath is frozen in my lungs. Her eyes hold me there, motionless, pinned like a butterfly under glass.

And then, she’s gone. But the feeling stays, a dark cloud that seems to have settled inside me. Leaving behind something cold, dark… empty.

A chill races up my spine, like death is close by… waiting.

Something’s wrong. Something’s coming.

“Come on!” Reece tugs on my arm as she drags me towards the clerk shop we had just left.

“W-Why are we…”

I stop mid-sentence as she turns to face me.

She’s smiling. A genuine curve of her lips, a glint in her eyes. But it’s not the smile that makes me freeze. It’s what’s behind it—a flicker of something darker. Something that promises nothing good.

“We’re going to have so much fun.”