Page 44 of The Spark that Ignites (Shattered Soul #1)

T hough Emmery’s magic had kept him alive, Callias still slept for the following three days with Briar at his side.

She watched him drift in and out, eyes brightening each time he stirred and somehow, even in his sleepy haze, he always reached for her.

Emmery poked her head in periodically only to turn away.

The way Briar clung to him, and he held her as he slept felt private. Intimate. Even though it couldn’t be.

Briar insisted on staying behind as Vesper and Emmery set off to the city of Malheim both to ensure Callias didn’t stupidly push himself too hard, look after Aera, and tend to Castle Dusk.

With the city under major reconstruction things were finally coming together, though there was no feasible way to complete the restoration before the end of the month despite Vesper’s determination.

Emmery feigned nonchalance when Vesper mentioned the destination but practically begged to tag along.

Luckily, he didn’t seem to mind, claiming the company would be nice but as they rode to the city, she fought the urge to study the inscriptions on her ring and pocket watch, planning how she would slip away.

Emmery peered at him on Balthasar, nervously spinning her ring as she glimpsed the chewed fencing with missing planks bordering the outskirts. Inside, the city appeared just as bleak.

“Vesper?” She placed his name cautiously between them—a bridge for her request.

He ceased his whistling and grinned cheekily. “Yes, Emmery?”

“Can I ask a favour?” She knotted her hands in Juno’s mane, bracing herself for his answer. He could easily shoot her down or demand something in return like he had before. But what would she give for this favour?

“I do owe you for healing Cal. Though I would anyway if you asked nicely .” The corner of his mouth turned up. “What can I do for you?”

She fumbled for a way to broach the subject. The unorthodox request had plagued her mind since the Whispering Spring. “You can communicate with spirits, right?”

Vesper tilted his head, his mouth twisting hesitantly. “Sort of.”

Her teeth sank into her lip. “Is that only for Kenna or humans too?”

“I haven’t tried with a human.” He gave a forlorn glance. “Maela?”

Heart constricting, Emmery nodded. “Would you try?” The silence dragged before she added, “For me?”

“For you, of course, but ... you should know—” His jaw hardened. “It may be a bad idea.”

Emmery’s stomach sank. “Why is it a bad idea?”

“She may not be how you remember, Emmery. I’ve only done it twice and the last person was ... mangled. It was rather unpleasant.” He studied the dirt road leading into the city. “That’s why I never tried with Izzy. Because there wasn’t much ... left of her. Allegedly. I never saw her body.”

Emmery leaned into Juno for support, knowing this didn’t change anything. “Would you try? I want to see her.”

On a relentless exhale, he said, “ Fuck . Don’t say I didn’t warn you though.” He gave her an intense look that plunged beneath her ribcage. “But are you really sure?”

“I’m sure.” Though her gut twisted, she repeated, “I’m sure.”

Squirming in his seat on Balthasar, Vesper said, “Then there are a few things we need to pick up, other than what we came for.”

Relief flooded her followed by a shred of fear. Maybe it was foolish but the prospect of seeing Maela again was worth it. They originally came in search of several illegal ingredients for Izora’s spell and Vesper claimed if there was anywhere to buy contraband, it was Malheim.

“Do we need another blood bargain?” Emmery asked, dismounting Juno with ease and a smug smile.

Practice really did make a mountain of difference.

Placing a kiss on Juno’s muzzle, she tapped her cuff three times, and the steed disappeared into a cloud of mist. After Vesper dismissed Balthasar, they entered the town gates.

“Nah. It’s a favour between friends.” He gave her a teasing smile before fishing a palm sized pouch from his satchel and placing it in her hand. “If you want to buy something.”

Emmery reached inside and pinched a crimped diamond, made of some strange onyx stone, between her fingers, the sunlight illuminating the metallic shimmer beneath the dark surface.

He must have seen the question etched into her narrowed brows because he said, “It’s slate. Works the same as your silver.”

She turned back to Vesper with gratitude in her eyes. “You—you shouldn’t have, Ves. This is too much.”

With a shrug, as if it were insignificant to give someone a bag of money, he said, “My father left a large sum. May as well share the wealth.”

Emmery playfully elbowed him. “Well, thank you. How generous.” He had already given her too much. Would she ever get used to gifts? Though with the Fallen Equinox drawing near and her plans, she never would.

Nudging her back, he murmured, “Don’t mention it.”

Vesper had referred to Malheim as the ‘slums’ and now, seeing the city streets, it made sense.

Scraggly haired homeless citizens lined the walkway, some bent at the waist, and others whispering to voices only they could hear.

A few unfortunate souls merely appeared down on their luck.

Garbage littered the street, and the stench of piss tainted the air.

They passed several pleasure houses and taverns overflowing with too many patrons for a normal midday rush.

It was hard to ignore that everyone she spotted were all Hollow, not a single zvezda in sight.

A slew of people greeted Vesper, stopping to chat or relay information that meant nothing to her.

Many were what Briar had called Scarlets, sporting a red ribbon and scarlet scar on their necks or wrists, occasionally their face.

A startling number of men intimately touched his arm as they spoke.

Emmery kept her eyes trained on the ground.

“Do you come here often?” she asked though she already knew the answer. “You seem to know a lot of people.”

“This was my post when I served Destonne,” Vesper said. “It’s also a good place to escape after a long day. Find some release.” He stroked his dark stubbled jaw. “You know, most of the people here aren’t bad, Emmery. They come from unfortunate circumstances.”

She glared at him. “I didn’t say they were.”

“You haven’t looked a single person in the eye. They’re people too, you know.” He guarded his satchel as they shuffled into a crowd. “I’m not judging you. It’s fine. I just think you should know.”

Emmery bit her lip, her cheeks pinking. Had that one time in Bagsdead when the beggar woman attacked made her judgemental? Imbedded some bias inside her? Apparently so as she glued to Vesper’s side.

He glanced at her as they came to the entrance of a shop, The Sly Wench printed on the overhead sign. “Are you coming?” he asked.

“Do you mind if I look around on my own?” She hid her guilty tone, hoping it wasn’t painted on her face. Maybe he wouldn’t care about her watch but some part of her didn’t want to share it. This was one thing she wanted to keep between her and her mother.

He gave her a scrutinizing look, though he didn’t press. “I’ll find you in a few hours.” The cheery jingle of the doorbell greeted him. “Remember, keep the dagger in your hand. And no dark alleyways for you, young lady.”

Emmery offered a saccharine smile. “Have I told you how hilarious you are today?”

An impish grin. “No, I don’t think you have.”

“Good.” She spun on her heel and tugged on her hood, before throwing over her shoulder, “And if we’re giving advice, try to keep your cock in your pants. But we both know that’s a wild ask.” Vesper barked a laugh as he ducked through the doorway.

Emmery searched the dishevelled shops for any hint of enchantment services.

If Rhessa claimed it was here, it had to be somewhere.

As she approached a promising store front named Charmed and Twisted , a man locked up, leaving a sign reading: Closed for lunch .

In the window sat countless trinkets glimmering with a luminescent sheen that breathed magic.

This was it.

Shit, how long would it be before he came back? Emmery spotted him strolling down the street, her heart pounding as he rounded the corner.

With no time to lose and against her better judgement she followed, his white-blond head bobbing through the crowd like a beacon.

When the man turned abruptly down an alley, Emmery pressed against a filthy brick wall, close enough to overhear but hopefully not be detected.

Tucked under an archway, two women spoke to him in hushed voices.

Emmery crinkled her nose at the stench as she feigned nonchalance.

Some force drew her attention to a crouched figure speaking to a child on the outskirts of the busy town square straight ahead.

A black hood veiled their identity but judging from their stature it was clearly a man.

Notably with no vestige. And for some reason she couldn’t tear her eyes away. What was he doing?

The little girl couldn’t have been more than four, her bare feet blackened, and brunette hair snarled in a mess of knots.

He gently wiped her dirt-crusted cheek with a cloth as she peered up at him.

After cleaning her feet, he helped her into some boots and gave her a bulging pack.

The girl’s eyes pricked with tears, but she fixed them on the soiled cobblestones.

Emmery startled as a pig-faced woman approached her, stealing her attention. Standing a head shorter, she assessed Emmery, rubbing her humped back. The woman narrowed her weathered, bloodshot eyes lined in dark circles, and asked, “Looking for something, darling?”

Averting her gaze, Emmery shook her head. “No, I’m, uh—waiting for someone.” It was mostly true.

“You sure?” The woman produced a bag the size of her thumb from her cloak pocket. “The first is free.”