Page 3 of Glass Hearts

It’s a rough place to want to sleep. Valak would rather put all the money he makes towards his family of eight, and for that, I can respect him.

Though it wouldn’t hurt to patch up the holes on the walls or maybe steam clean the stained carpet along the hallway.

I continue down the decrepit hall until I make it to their room, 61.

Their room smells of must and their ridiculously expensive cologne.

The sheets are all rumpled, and empty food containers collecting bugs litter the table and floor.

As I continue my look around the disgusting scene, my eyes catch on a gorgeous golden dagger glinting under the stacks of food cartons on the table.

I add it to my knife belt. Selling it could yield quite a profit, as it is probably worth about four thousand gold coins, but a piece like this is priceless!

I am not much of a fighter; I would rather run away.

But a girl can never be too careful, and why not have something pretty to stab with if necessary?

My mouse friends and I continue to go around the room exploring possible hiding places for their money and priceless assets.

“Bert, please don’t eat their gross leftover food. I will feed you something better at home.”

“Sorry, Arabelly, all this excitement always makes me so ravenous.”

I chuckle under my breath as I continue to peruse the small, boorish space. Under one pillow, I find a large bag with silver and gold coins. I can’t help but whistle.

“Find something interesting, Arabelly?”

“I would say this may be 300-450 worth of coins. What could those assholes be doing with that?” I mutter as I feel the hefty weight of the pouch in my hands.

We continue and find other various goods such as jewelry, gems, and an invitation for a brothel near here that sells off its ‘damaged goods’ to the highest bidder.

Judging by the gold coins, I realized they had planned to purchase a woman.

My vitriol for the slimy brothers just makes me want to go back and ram my new pretty gold dagger into their beating hearts.

But I am not a killer; I have killed no one before. And truthfully, I really couldn’t deal with Villain Prison on the Obsidian Isle. I already have a jailer.

Before I head out of the room, I notice a familiar invitation for a ball sitting on the table under the now-empty takeout containers. Friggen Bert.

Originally, I had thought of having Lo use her magic to duplicate the invitations.

Can’t have one of the Quadias having a hissy fit for a lost invitation.

Bernice would immediately put the blame on me.

Warranted, but definitely not looking for more lashings.

This is a happy accident that was meant to be, if I say so myself.

Grabbing the invitation and tucking it into my bag, I reach for two circular orbs.

Leaving behind a glass orb woven with black shadows and a carved ‘S’ on its side, for the Morgan brothers to find once they awaken and return to their ransacked room.

My calling card, The Shadow, was here. Fools.

Sneaking out onto the balcony, I melt into the shadows. Mentally confirming my familiars are still in tow. “Hang on, boys,” is the only warning I give as I take off sprinting towards the eternal fountain to meet Lo.

* * *

“Your wishing wench is herrrreee!” Lo sings-songs as she bumbles about with her oversize spellcase. The holes on her pants and bleeding kneecaps show me she has already met the cobbled roads on the way.

Lo is stunning; her long, golden, strawberry blonde hair is spun into multiple braids in a bun sitting on top of her head. Her hair ties to her magic, so the longer it is, the more power she can pull from it. Not that she soul-spells that often.

Her green eyes aglow with mischief over her freckles as she makes it to the fountain. “Now what can I spell for you, my prickly friend?”

“I need more untraceable black glass orbs for my calling card. I am down to my last two. Then, I have an exciting once-in-a-lifetime mission I want to do. But I will need your help with this one to pull it off.”

“First off, I still think it’s stupid of you to leave behind a calling card.

If you get caught by the enforcers and the council tries you for Villainy, you will have handed them all the evidence of all your crimes on a silver platter.

Second, with that excited glint in your eye, it’s going to be something big.

Which has me very worried, friend.” Lo gives me an uneasy look, crossing her arms.

“Is it psychotic that I want them to know who stole all their precious jewels and money? That it makes me excited to leave them in fear for once?”

Lo deadpans to me, “Yes, that is psychotic, Ella. You’re lucky you have someone like me to keep you in check.” She jokes as she opens her spellcase full of plain glass orbs and other miscellaneous spell ingredients.

She works on my parting gifts to my marks as I give her the rundown of my wicked, wonderful idea regarding the upcoming ball.

“I have the invitation; all I need is the dress. I won’t have time to shop tomorrow while I toil away on my chores.

So I need a dress and matching mask worthy of The Shadow.

” Lo is so talented at creating clothes.

She made all my Shadow clothes; no shop could compare to her unique spelled fashion.

Lo squeals as she wraps me in a hug, which I happily return.

She bounces about in excitement, taking me along for the ride.

“YES, YES! You finally ask me to make you a bloody dress! I have so many ideas for you. FINALLY.”

I love dresses and have wished to have a Lo-designed dress for ages.

But what’s the point of wearing stunning gowns if all you can do is be a fixture in someone else’s life?

Ah yes, let me scrub the floors in my full-length gown.

I could see the vitriolic glare from Bernice now.

Perhaps that could be a fun way to poke the proverbial bear.

Worth the lashings to wear a Lo design. Though I could also foresee my stepmother shredding the dress, too.

I wasn’t worth nice things in the end, which always makes me decline such finery.

Lo drops her arms from the hug, reaching for my hands.

“I will probably have to get ready right after they leave for the ball. You think you could pop over to get ready with me tomorrow night? As excited as I am for this plan, I am also scared shitless.”

She squeezes my hands before releasing them to turn towards the now-shadowed black orbs. “Of course I will be there, and I have an idea for your ride too. I’d better be getting home so I can get started on your dress! See you soon, babe.” She hands me the orbs, kisses my cheek and leaves.

I catch the eye of Ramen on her shoulder and nod to him. Formally my snake familiar, I always have him guarding and keeping watch over Lo.

“Thank you for watching my Lo.”

“The woman isss a klutzy menace! But it issss my pleasure missstressss Arabelly.” Ramen replies.

Chuckling, I head back to the townhouse. It’s time to plan.