Page 22 of Children of Blood and Bone

“You won’t get a piece above three hundred.”

My gods!I dig my feet into the dirt to keep myself from wobbling. That’s more than we’ve ever seen in our lives. At least six moons of taxes, even if they’re raised!

I open my mouth to take the deal, but something in the noble’s eyes makes me hesitate. If he folded so quickly on the last offer, maybe he’ll fold again.…

Take it, I imagine Tzain warning.It’s more than enough.

But I’m far too close to stop now.

“I’m sorry.” I shrug and finish wrapping the sailfish. “I can’t waste a meal for a king on someone who can’t afford it.”

The noble’s nostrils flare.Gods.I may have gone too far. I wait for him to break, but he only seethes in silence. I’m forced to walk away.

Each step lasts an eternity as I crumble under the weight of mymistake.You’ll find another one, I try to calm myself.Another noble desperate to prove his worth.I can do better than three hundred. The fish is worth more than that… right?

“Dammit.” I almost ram my head against a shrimp stall. What am I going to do now? Who’s going to be stupid enough to—

“Wait!”

As I turn, the plump noble shoves three jingling purses into my chest.

“Fine,” he grumbles in defeat. “Five hundred.”

I stare at him in disbelief, which he mistakes for doubt.

“Count them if you must.”

I open one purse and the sight is so beautiful I nearly cry. The silver shines like the scales of the sailfish, its weight a promise of things to come.Five hundred!After a new boat, that’s almost a year’s worth of rest for Baba.Finally.

I’ve done something right.

I hand the fish to the noble, unable to hide my glowing smile. “Enjoy. Tonight you’ll eat better than the king.”

The noble sneers, but the corners of his mouth twitch up in satisfaction. I slide the velvet purses into my pack and start walking, heart buzzing so quickly it rivals the insanity of the market. But I freeze when screams fill the air. This isn’t the sound of haggling.What the—

I jump back as a fruit stand explodes.

A troop of royal guards charges through. Mangoes and Orïshan peaches fly through the air. Second by second, more guards flood the market, searching for something. Someone.

I stare at the commotion in bewilderment before realizing I have to move. There are five hundred silver pieces in my pack. For once, I have more than my life to lose.

I push through the crowd with a new fervor, desperate to escape. I’m almost past the textiles when someone grabs my wrist.

What in gods’ names?

I whip out my compacted staff, expecting to meet the arm of a royal guard or a petty thief. But when I turn, it’s neither a guard nor a crook who’s grabbed me.

It’s a cloaked amber-eyed girl.

She pulls me into a hidden opening between two stalls with a grip so tight I can’t fight my way free.

“Please,” she begs, “you have to get me out of here!”

CHAPTER FIVE

ZÉLIE

FOR A MOMENT,I can’t breathe.

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