Page 6 of Destiny Redeemed
Perfect.Just what we needed after a long day of haggling over property rights. My hand tightened around the dagger Anderic gave me, hidden in my skirts, and I grabbed Laurel’s arm, pulling her into the shadows of a nearby alley. Who else would be out at this hour in the noble district?
Chapter 2
I pressed myself against the rough brick wall, the dagger’s hilt cool against my palm. My heart raced, but I forced my breathing to slow.Calm down, Ilyana. You’ve faced worse than a shadowy stalker…like death by a sword and so many near-death incidents, I’m practically immortal now.I shook my head, focusing on the present.
“Laurel,” I whispered, “when I give the signal, run.”
She nodded, but her eyes were full of determination. She definitely wasn’t going to listen to me. She probably thought I was about to be murdered in an alley.As if I’d let anyone kill me after all I had gone through.
Footsteps echoed closer. I tensed, clenching my dagger and ready to spring—
“M’lady! Wait!”
I paused.
A small figure stumbled into view, panting heavily. In the dim moonlight, I recognized the boy from the marketplace—the one I’d saved from a beating. He looked even scrawnier up close, all knobby knees and sharp elbows.
“Blimey, you walk right quick,” he gasped, doubling over to catch his breath. “Been chasin’ you for blocks, I ‘ave.”
I lowered the dagger, eyeing him warily. “And why, pray tell, were you following us like a deranged killer?”
The boy straightened, his gap-toothed grin gleaming in the darkness. “Wanted to thank ya proper, didn’t I? For savin’ me back there.”
Laurel relaxed beside me, though her brow remained furrowed. “You could have simply called out to us, you know.”
“Aye, but where’s the fun in that?” He cocked his head, studying me.No wonder he gets beaten.“You ain’t like them other nobs, are ya? Got more fire in ya, you do.”
I couldn’t help but smirk. “I’ll take that as a compliment, I suppose. Now, what’s your name, boy?”
“Tommy,” he replied, puffing out his chest. “Tommy the Quick, they call me.”
“Well, Tommy the Quick,” I said, fighting back a laugh.He’s oddly adorable.“Next time you want to thank someone, perhaps trynotstalking them through dark alleys? It tends to put ladies on edge.”
He had the grace to look sheepish. “Right, sorry ‘bout that. But I wanted to give ya this.” He fished something out of his pocket—a small, battered tin. “S’not much, but… well, you saved me back there, din’ ya?”
I took the tin, surprised by its weight. Inside, I found a collection of mismatched buttons, a bent sewing needle, and a few copper coins.
“It’s my treasure box,” Tommy explained, scuffing his bare foot against the cobblestones. “Just… well, no one’s ever stood up for me like that before. Wanted to tell you… it meant somethin’, y’know?”
A lump formed in my throat. This boy, who had nothing, was offering me his meager possessions out of gratitude. It was… oddly touching.
Don’t cry now, Ilyana. Former villains don’t get emotional. Emotions are for the weak.
“Thank you, Tommy,” I said softly. “But I can’t accept this. These are your treasures.”
He shook his head stubbornly. “Nah, you keep it. It’s the least I can do. Figured you might need it more than me now. ‘Sides…” His grin turned mischievous. “I heard what them other nobs been sayin’ ‘bout you. Reckon you could use a bit o’ luck.”
Ah, gossip has reached far and wide.
“I understand,” I said quietly. “And I’m glad I could help. But you should be more careful. Not everyone in this city is as benevolent as I am.”
Laurel coughed, barely disguising a laugh. I shot her a look but couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at my lips.
Tommy nodded earnestly. “Right you are, m’lady. I’ll be more careful-like in the future.” He hesitated, then blurted out, “If you ever need anythin’, anythin’ at all, you just say the word. I got eyes and ears all over this city, I do.”
Now that was interesting. I arched an eyebrow, considering the possibilities. A network of street urchins could prove invaluable. Not sure how I was going to utilize it.
Maybe something to think about in the future.
