The Blessed and the Pure┃🖋

Chapter Ξ

Hallie would like to clarify that it was not her idea to visit Hoiples without Nikas. No, no, no. It was Nikas's idea. He was still salty about Taryn maybe-maybe-not being a thief.

She begged him to go; he begged her to stay.

So here she was.

Semele hummed as she skipped beside Hallie, Kirphis and Miscenus walking a few paces ahead. Somehow, all three of them were calmer without Taryn to pick fights and instigate petty melodrama.

It was also important to note that Perialla was also missing from the herd, having also stayed behind. It was for the best. Taryn and Nikas weren't exactly the best of friends.

"We're almost there!" Semele shouted and jumped onto Miscenus's back. Luckily, no one was around to give her any glares.

Miscenus stopped walking and stood stock still, arms out to form a Τ. Kirphis watched with unconcealed amusement.

"You're no fun," she said, sliding off his back.

Kirphis chuckled. "And you're extra."

He slipped into an alley, followed by Miscenus roaring with laughter and an outraged Semele, shaking her fists.

Hallie grinned and followed as well.

It was nice seeing this new side of the three of them. The two boys were more relaxed and willing to joke around, less burdened by what responsibility they must feel for keeping Taryn in check and not challenging an irate Kardián to a duel.

Semele was different, too. More in Miscenus and Kirphis's fond insults getting to her than changing her actual character, though.

That was probably exaggerated; they still had Semele to worry about, and Kirphis was tenser than usual. They bumped into him thirty seconds after they left. Back then, he appeared melancholy. Scared. Haunted. He unraveled and became more relaxed as time wore on, but Hallie could see it in his eyes. It was a mask.

She would hug him. He needed a hug. She made a mental note to hug him.

Even so, it was nice seeing their other sides. So nice, she almost didn't feel the tightening of her chest as she stepped into the alley. Almost.

When she caught up, Semele seemed to have forgotten why she was mad and Miscenus intent on moving a slab of limestone.

"It's almost out," he grunted. Kirphis moved to help him, anyway.

Semele evaluated their progress as if she were their manager and them her subordinates. "I didn't hire you to slack off, you know."

"And I didn't accept the job to listen to your nitpicking, you know."

With a final thrust, the limestone heaved forward, pushing the other slabs of limestone away from it. The furthest slab Hallie could see peeking out beneath the opposite building.

Semele jumped into the hole revealed by the limestone and crouched down until only the tufts of her black hair showed.

She emerged a second later with a handful of jewelry: gold necklaces, platinum earrings, and silver necklaces, all sprawled over Semele's hands like water on dirt.

"Taryn's grandfather left her all that?" Hallie asked as she admired a wedding ring displaying a depiction of Éros.

"Yup." Semele didn't look her in the eye.

No one spoke as Hallie turned over the jewelry. She wondered if they were waiting for her to call foul, to call their bluff. She wouldn't. She had no proof, and besides, she owed them that much.