Shadow Market

Chapter Seven

Snatch:

This is going to be amazing!" Raven said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I've heard so much about the Shadow Market but never thought I'd actually get to see it."

I gave her a cautious look. "Just remember, it's not a tourist attraction. We're here to get answers, not sightsee."

Raven waved a hand dismissively. "Yeah, yeah, I know. But come on, it's not every day you get to visit a place like this."

"Lene." Dante pulled me aside. "Raven should stay here; this place is a secret."

"She earned her right to come." We had a silent starring contest. I held my ground, and finally, he relented.

As we made our way through the city's labyrinthine streets. Raven fired off question after question about the Market. I thought Dante's head was going to explode.

"The market exists in the liminal spaces between the human and supernatural worlds. It is a place where beings of all kinds—humans, supernatural creatures, and even entities from other realms—come to trade, barter, and seek items or information."

"So we will be in another realm?" Raven was giddy with a childlike excitement. 

"Yes, but remember, the market is a complex network of rules and traditions governing its operation," I stressed, my voice seriously. "The Shadow Market operates under a strict code of conduct to maintain neutrality and peace."

"And confidentiality." Dante barked. I elbowed him and gave Raven a reassuring smile.

Raven nodded eagerly, her eyes wide with excitement. "So, it's like a secret society with its own rules and leaders? That's so cool!"

Dante sighed, clearly exasperated. "It's not a game, Raven. This place is dangerous if you don't know what you're doing."

Raven rolled her eyes. "Relax, Dante. I'll be on my best behavior. Besides, I've dealt with enough shady characters in the city to know how to keep my mouth shut."

As we approached the entrance to the Shadow Market, an old, seemingly abandoned building, the air around us seemed to shimmer. Dante opened the door and gestured for us to enter.

Raven's eyes darted around, trying to take in everything at once. "This is amazing! Look at that!" There were vendors selling enchanted jewelry, rare potions, and strange creatures in cages. 

"Shh." Dante hushed her. "Act like you belong."

We made our way to Elias's stall, the wizened old man already waiting for us. He eyed Raven with mild curiosity but didn't comment. Instead, he gestured for us to follow him to a more private area behind his stall.

"So, you've brought the souls," Elias said, his voice raspy and soft. "And you've brought a new friend, I see."

"Raven's with us," I said firmly. "We trust her."

Elias nodded slowly. "Very well. Let's see what you've got."

As we handed over the small bag containing the collected souls.

Elias smiled with a cryptic expression. "Now, we keep them safe and out of the wrong hands. These souls are powerful, and many would do anything to possess them."

Raven glanced at Dante, who was watching Elias closely. "You really trust him?" she whispered.

Dante's jaw tightened. "As much as we can trust anyone in this place."

A commotion erupted at the entrance of the market. Shouts and hurried footsteps echoed through the stalls, drawing everyone's attention. My stomach dropped as I recognized the familiar, menacing voice cutting through the air