Page 8 of Forsaken Secrets

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Kaiya

Rain darkened the cobblestones beneath my feet as I sprinted to the general store. The heavy clouds had moved in after I'd left the cove, and the streets were empty.

It was quite fitting for my mood — as though the gods felt my frustration and empathized.

I tugged my shawl tighter beneath the shoulder straps of my pack so it would cover the dirt on my bodice.

At least I'd taken the skirts off before climbing, so they weren't quite as dirty.

I pressed on the tall glass door and it opened, letting out the scents of freshly baked bread and spices — my home away from home. Quiet conversations filled the air as shoppers chose their items, and light from the picture window to my right streamed in.

Mrs. Harlsted smiled at me from behind the glass counter, a wide grin making her eyes crinkle at the sides. She had one of those smiles that made everyone smile right along with her.

"Kaiya, dear, take a look at the jobs and I'll be with you in a moment!"

The two women she was helping, both Ridge ladies I recognized from dinners we'd attended, snickered behind their fans and let their eyes slowly drop to my frayed hems before turning away dramatically.

I just nodded and waved, pasting an obnoxious smile on my lips, before turning to the job board.

It bothered them more when I feigned ignorance.

The board had Reaper permits for three different zones, but they were the same ones that had been up for months. The guild would probably drop the price again soon. Maybe even low enough that I could buy one.

If I ever gave up my "thieving ways" and joined the guild, that is.

The reward sheet stood out in the center. Reverted relics like that figure in the gremlyn nest were worth next to nothing.

Even a basic tempered relic would have paid for our supplies. Unfortunately, the Reaper guild had cleared most of those out long ago, though.

It was just the few in unknown, hard to reach, or dangerous places that they left alone. I'd found a few over the years, but never any of the valuable types.

"Come on over, Kaiya!"

I cast one more longing look at the board, then turned to the counter. It had been a pipe dream, anyway. If I hadn't found a trace of the Druid's relic in the shrine, it didn't exist.

Or if it did, it had gone wild long ago.

Mrs. Harlsted stood there smiling, and I had to swallow the lump in my throat as I smiled back at her, letting all my stresses disappear for just a moment.

"You should stay around! My nephew just got into town and I think you'd really get on."

Visiting with her fresh-faced nephew was the last thing I wanted right now, but I couldn't tell her that. So I pasted a smile on my lips and nodded. "I'd love to. You know how it is, though, with the Season coming up. Perhaps after the Magistrate's Ball?"

Her lips pursed, and she poked at my stomach. "You have to eat, don't you? Why don't you and your aunt come over for dinner later this week? We can introduce you, and maybe you'll even hit it off." She winked. "His family has ties to …"

My stomach clenched as I stopped listening. She was always trying to set me up with one young lordling or another, but it wasn't like I could tell her I hid a secret magic that would get me and everyone I loved imprisoned if anyone discovered it.

No. As usual, I'd just deal with him for one dinner, then avoid the man. He was probably an ass anyway — those young lordlings always were.

Her words dropped off, and I smiled. "Just let me know when, and we'll be there."

"That's just wonderful," she said, leaning into the counter, "You won't regret it, I swear."

I highly doubted that, but I'd play along for her.

"What did you need, dear?"

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