Page 76 of Runes To Rain
What would I say?In my head, there’s a map that says this rock is of great importance.
“Bargaining isn’t going to work for you, gentlemen,” the little man says. “Like I said, it may not be genuine. I’ve been upfront, and the price is the price. Take it or leave it.”
Fem looks at Reem, who seems to be considering, and makes an exasperated sound.
Just then, Lent emerges from one of the aisles and, in a voice too loud for the space, says, “This place is incredible!”
I jump at the sudden noise and then laugh, his joy as always infectious.
Before anyone else can say anything, he steps forward, crowding the space where Reem and Fem are standing. Barely looking at the stone, he says, “We’ll take it!”
Reem begins to open his mouth, but before he can say anything, the little man says, “That will be one hundred and twenty pounds.”
I feel my jaw drop at the amount and expect Lent to be put off. Even as Reem opens his mouth to try again, Lent pulls out the money and sets it on the counter. Then he wraps the small stone up and tucks it into his pocket.
Turning to Reem and Fem, he says, “Let me show you something over here. This place is incredible!”
Reem and Fem turn from the shopkeeper, who looks smug, to Lent and follow him. I can vaguely hear them grumbling about group decisions and listening to each other.
As they disappear, following Lent, Dio steps up to the counter. “How much for the knives?” he asks.
“One caught your eye, sonny?” the shopkeeper asks. When Dio doesn’t respond, he says, “Those vary, anywhere from five pounds to twenty, but because you’ve been good customers, I’ll give you a deal. Pick any one for ten pounds.”
Dio reaches out to point at one, and I quickly step forward and say, “No, that one,” and point at the knife I remember from a dream. I still can’t remember when, but something tells me it is important.
Dio glances at me sideways and then says, “Ok, I’ll take that one,” indicating the knife I’m pointing to.
“Good choice,” the little man says brightly. He removes the small, sharply pointed knife from the wall, adds a small sheath, and wraps it in a thin piece of leather while Dio pays.
As he does so, the others emerge from the shelves. I grit my teeth at the interruption. I can feel Dio’s eyes on the side of my face.
Reem is still grumbling at Lent, who doesn’t look at all repentant. As they get back to us, we all turn to leave.
When we get near the door, though, tension fills me, and I throw my arm out to stop the others. However, before I can do anything more to stop him, Lent barges past me and bursts through the door. I rush after him and manage to make it to the edge of the alley and the street before him.
My hand goes to my sword as I see a host of angels arranged on the street in front of us.
Reem presses in front of me and says in a confident and friendly voice, “What’s happening here, fellows?”
Damn their inability to see these as angels.
The crowd is eerily silent, every eye on me, and I draw my sword.
“Chaosta,” Reem hisses quietly. He looks out at the angels and says with a forced chuckle, “Ignore our guard dog,everyone. She takes our securityveryseriously.”
The angels still don’t move, don’t speak, their eyes remain focused on me.
Behind me, Lent pipes up and says, “I’m pretty sure we have some extra records in the carriage we’d be happy to sign for our amazing fans.”
Then I hear Dio’s voice directly behind me say, “What’s going on?”
Without turning to him, I say quietly, “They’re angels.”
“Fuck,” he says harshly. “Hey guys, those aren’t fans.”
There’s a sound like the snarl of a steel beast as at least twenty blades are drawn nearly simultaneously.
Behind me, I hear Lent, of all people, say in a quiet but confident tone, “We’ll distract them with some weather work, then you can do your thing, Dio.”
