Page 22 of The Spark that Ignites (Shattered Soul #1)

Emmery glanced suspiciously over her shoulder. Maybe it was Vesper’s acute interest in the watch or her habit to tackle things alone, but, either way, this felt like a secret between her and her mother. “Where could I find someone like that?” she asked.

“It’s spoken more commonly in the north but there’s a shop in Malheim. Unfortunately, the blessing of charm is rare. Especially for enchantments as elaborate as that .”

Malheim. Noted. Emery offered a smile. “I appreciate it. Thank—”

She was about to hand back the book when Aera yanked Emmery’s trousers so aggressively her waistband slipped.

Scooping her up, the fox claimed Emmery’s neck, resting her chin in her collarbone hollow.

Emmery’s hood slipped off as she righted herself.

When she met Rhessa’s eyes again, the woman startled.

Emmery’s brows furrowed but Vesper caught her arm and yanked her away.

Hollering a thank you over her shoulder, Emmery fell into step with him.

“That was strange,” she said to Vesper, tucking the book into her pack. He quirked an eyebrow, his hair mussed, and lips swollen. “That woman gave me this book.”

“For free?”

Emmery shrugged. “Odd, right?”

Vesper dropped her arm. “Wait here.”

He strolled to Rhessa, pulled a handful of black shapes from his pocket, and set them on the stand. Rhessa’s cheeks flushed as words and hand gestures exchanged, but Emmery was too far to hear. Vesper plunked more shapes down before making his way back, a grin claiming his face.

Emmery opened her mouth to ask what that was about when a man, with pale blond hair and a steel nose ring, bumped her shoulder.

Between his sallow skin, sweaty brows, and hunched stature, he appeared in poor health.

Emmery caught sight of those same dark marks displayed on his chest before he blended into the crowd.

Come to think of it, all the people with black scars shared the same sickly complexion.

Vesper must have seen the question in her eye because he gave her one of his I-know-everything looks.

“What are those dark scars?” Emmery asked. She rolled her eyes when she saw the lipstick. “Also, you’ve got something on your neck. The corner of your mouth too.”

Vesper yanked her hood over her face. “Mind your business.”

Pushing it back, she gave him a chastising look. “ Scoundrel .”

Vesper straightened a few earrings before wiping away the lipstick.

A roguish smirk tugged at his lips. They wove through the crowd and Emmery’s heart thumped from the people’s proximity.

There was no reason to fear but her pulse didn’t understand that.

Skirting a throng of playing children, a boy stumbled into Vesper’s leg.

Taking in his wraith-like figure, fear plastered the boy’s face, but Vesper gently steadied him, murmuring something about being careful.

Shooting a smile missing his front teeth, the boy bounded away.

“We’re all born with both but after the cleansing, one god chooses us and the mark fades from black to pink while the other disappears.

The cleansing is performed after birth and isn’t optional.

Or it wasn’t.” He smoothed his mussed hair.

“Izzy and I are the only two people I know that were chosen by both Deimos and Kahlia. Well, other than you. But I always thought Izzy and I shared that because we’re twins. ”

Her stomach bottomed out. That meant, at some point, she went through the cleansing. But how was that possible? Was she born here? Her mother never mentioned that. Emmery turned to Vesper, her head spinning. “So, I’ve been to Karynthia. I’ve been through it.”

It wasn’t a question, but Vesper gave a brief nod.

Emmery glanced back at the boy and his black marks. He had the same pale complexion. Why hadn’t he been cleansed? She leaned into Vesper, whispering, “So, if it’s mandatory ... is that why they look sick?”

“It's a long story.” Vesper dodged another child running to join his friend.

Emmery opened her mouth to press further but he cut her off.

“Either way the scars hold more than just magic. They hold meaning. A zvezda represents natural magic. A blessing. The cavae means destruction or manipulation. A burden.”

Emmery gnawed her lip. “Interesting verbiage. Is the khaos flame a burden?”

“Blessing.” Vesper’s mouth twisted. “And that’s the way we’re taught. Hollows face a stigma for their magic. Fallen don’t.”

Tapping her cuff, Juno appeared, stomping her hoof in greeting. “What kind of stigma?”

“A bloody stupid one.” Vesper summoned Balthasar.

“Both Hollow and the Forgotten face stigmas. That’s those who are never beckoned to their trial.

” He frowned. “They’re treated poorly regardless of their scars.

But they’re both forbidden to gain social standing or power.

Historically, most were locked by allegiance bonds because of their magic.

My father was the first and only Hollow king. ”

Her hand stilled on Juno. “Wait, your father is king ?”

“Was.” Vesper’s jaw clenched, his eyes void. “My father was king.”

She shot him a sidelong look, attempting to lighten the mood. “So, should I start calling you Your Highness?”

Vesper chuckled and shot her a look over his shoulder. “Your Holiness or Prince of Handsomeness should suffice.” He cleared his throat, his gaze dropping to his hands. “No title is necessary. I lost it long ago, or I had ... it’s complicated.”

After boosting her onto Juno, he quickly mounted Balthasar. She stared after him as he pulled away.

Vesper was a prince . An important piece of information he didn’t share. What else was he hiding?

“I’m sorry about—” she started but, well, she wasn’t sure what to say. “What happened?”

His face was a mask of calm. “I don’t like talking about it.”

She nodded and didn’t press him further, seemingly picking at another wound. Worn and aged, the wolf skull peeked out from the sword hilt on his back. “Did your father give you that?”

“He did. It’s ... important to me.” His shoulders tensed and he turned to her. “I’ll make you a deal, Sparky. When you talk about your sister, I’ll tell you about my family. Sounds fair?”

Emmery gripped Juno harder, her teeth grinding. This man and all his deals . “I suppose.”

“Good.” He sat back on Balthasar, running an absent hand through his shadowy mane. “The Whispering Spring isn’t far from here. We should be there within the hour.” His eyes flared, a wicked smile painting his face. “Let’s go get your magic.”