Cairo

Chapter 23: Likes Repel

The first thing Cairo noticed was his white hair. It was the most unusual color in all of Cairo. It was so bright and pure unlike the many things in their country that were tainted and dulled. It wasn't until moments later that Colatrice's scream pulled Cairo back. He blinked his thoughts away, his body tensing as he bent forward, feet shifting slightly apart in the process. One last glance at the mysterious man was all it took to realize who he must have been: The rebel leader. There were rumors; there were always rumors. A brazen man with eyes that instilled fear wherever they went, that demanded and wreaked of authority, power, control. A man with hair of white. Like the ashes after a fire.

Not making a move as another figure rushed beside Xi, Cairo took in her wild expression—the way she licked her lips like a rabid animal about to lunge after her prey, the way her eyes dilated in and out yet oddly were able to keep focused on him, the way her smile creeped up her face, and the way her teeth just barely showed through the crack in her lips. It wasn't until Coaltrice screamed his name again did he noticed her and Aidan running towards him. His eyes flashed back to Xi just before he heard their feet scrape against the sandy road.

In front of Colatrice and Aidan stood Titus, Sia, and Houri. Sia was already in offense, her hands spread out at her sides. The air around the five was stiff, moving only in small movements that coordinated with the movements of her fingers. Coaltrice's eyes narrowed as she took a step back, pushing Aidan back in the process.

"You're a Wind Weaver."

Sia tiled her head. The angle of the sun against her hooded head cast a shadow against her right eye that was free from the stuffy heat of the mask on her face. Her eyes looked dead, merciless. Coaltrice knew that kind of look—the same kind she had, that most of the Fire Mages had. Kill or be killed. Those were the rules of the world. The Fire Mages knew it, the rebels knew it, the people of Cairo knew it. And rules were made for a reason. A good reason. One wrong move and she's blow both of them up. She had to play her cards right. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a small movement behind Sia.

"What the fuck is that?!" Coaltrice screamed, her head snapping over to Titus.

She pulled one of her hands next to head in the air. Sparks started to crackle around it as more air started to move around all of them.

"Teleport them now!" Titus yelled

A bright flash filled Coaltrice and Aidan's visions. They threw their hands out next to them, each searching from something to grab onto as the ground under them shook. With another flash of a lighter yellow, they vanished, but not before Coaltrice was able to get a string of curses off.

Titus sighed, stretching his arms above his head. "I haven't used my kleptos in ages. It's like weightlifting for the first time. Where are you going, Sia?"

"We did our part here, the boss can handle the rest," she answered before walking down the road Coaltrice and Aidan came from. "Now we make sure they don't get back. Follow me."

"You coming with us?" Titus asked, turning to Houri as another hooded person appeared. They had a crossbow in their arms as they saluted the man.

"No, I'll stay here," Houri answered with a shake of her head. She pointed behind her to the silhouette of Fifi. "Besides it looks like Fifi wants to come. I'll take her place here."

Houri received a nod in return as Titus walked away with the rest of his crew, Fifi zooming past him in a full out sprint. Before he left, he turned around, his eyes dark and shallow.

"Let's hope it works out like Xi thought it would."

"It'd be for the best if it did."

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