Page 45 of Outlaw Witch

14

The same night of mytour of the district with Roscoe, I wake up from a nap simultaneously refreshed and confused as hell. Waking up in an unfamiliar room has me shooting up to sitting with my heart racing. The drapes are still open and I can see that the sky outside has darkened and the lights of Arcanum spread out, brightening the inky darkness into something twinkly and faintly magical.

We don’t get to see this kind of view on the outskirts of the city. Something that stokes the familiar rage which simmers inside me.

I don’t have time to get into how shitty and unfair it is that we’re shoved to the sides and left to rot. And I know that we don’thaveto stay in Arcanum. But when you’ve got barely any money and no connections and your only skills are magical, there really isn’t a lot of choice. Especially since there’s a lot of mixed feeling out there about magic users which makes it a better the devil you know situation.

Who knows? Maybe once I’ve done this job might be the turning point for us.

It might be a stepping stone to get us better jobs so we can save up and finally move out of the craphole warehouse and then maybe even out of the city.

... I won’t hold my breath.

Sitting up and shoving the covers off me, I dig in my bag until I find my phone to see what time it is.

It’s eleven pm. Maybe late enough to go back to sleep, but I’m not tired anymore after managing another... three hour nap. Shit.

Bzzzz.

There’s a loud buzzing sound coming from somewhere in the apartment which is probably what woke me up.

I shove my bed hair away from my face and stumble out of bed, grabbing an oversized shirt I stole from Rook and buttoning it as I venture out of my room to investigate.

The buzzing continues, growing louder as I get to the door and then discover this apartment has an intercom system.

Of course it does.It’s just been so damn long since I lived anywhere like this that I’d forgotten they even existed. Picking up the receiver, I tiredly grunt into it.

“Hey, Silver?” Fabian’s deep voice is in my ear. “Sorry, I didn’t have your number and the guys aren’t around. There’s someone here asking for you.” He hesitates for a moment and I canhearthat he’s grinning as he says, “You might want to get downstairs before she tears the place apart.”

It takes a moment for his words to sink in. When it does, my stomach leaps and I clutch the phone tighter.

Shit.

I know exactly who’s turned up at The Spire, not giving a shit that she’s in territory where she’s unknown and unwanted.

Hurricane Hanna, no doubt in full force.

“I’ll be right down,” I blurt out, already slamming the receiver down and grabbing my boots.

I catch Hanna mid-rant and am glad the foyer to this building is made of stone and is therefore fireproof. I’m also glad there’s no one around to witness this, other than Fabian and me.

“—all I’m saying is, I know people. We all do. So if you fuck her over, or if she’s unhappy, I’m going to know about it and I will fuck you up.”

I almost laugh. Not only is Fabian a lot bigger than she is, like almost comically taller standing a foot and a bit over her. She’s also come ontohisturf in a not so nice part of town and yet Hanna couldn’t give a single fuck.

She’s a great person to have on your side, especially in a pinch. But not so great for diplomacy or keeping everyone cool. Luckily, Fabian seems pretty level-headed, and he’s just listening to her ranting with this collected patience that really is taking the wind out of her sails.

“I don’t know why she’s here, why you have to separate her from the people she loves. Red flag much?” she mumbles before I decide to step in, holding my arms up like that’ll appease her.

“I’m fine, Han. I’m here under my own free will.” Kinda. But I figure it’s better not to get too bogged down in detail right now. “And you need to calm your tits.”

“Silver,” Fabian greets me with a nod, smoothly transferring his attention from my crazy friend-slash-sister and onto me. “You have a visitor.”

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