Once Upon a Story [ INCONSISTENT UPDATES ]

Hushed Voices II

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The clock struck noon, midday in the city. Standing on the roof of the grand clock, a shadow overlooked the activity below. People marched on every street corner, even the ones used as cesspits. During the busiest hour, he stood guard in the shadows. But all he had in mind was searching for her.

Where are you now? A pendant hung from his neck. He held the opal, heart aching.

"Don't tell me you're still mopping up here?"

He groaned, tucking the gift under his cloak. "What do you want, Jason?"

The boy with fiery spiked hair climbed to his side, grinning like the troublemaker he was. "I was wondering where my patrol partner had gone. I should've looked here first, but I thought you would've passed the denial stage in your grief, Caleb."

The boy with hair violet like twilight rolled his eyes. "I'm not in denial."

"No, of course not," Jason drawled. "That's why you come here every day at noon, when the city is busiest, to see if you can spot that little cloud of white somewhere in the murk. You know, she probably looks entirely different now. I doubt you'll recognize her even if you do see her."

Ignoring the blabber, Caleb jumped from his perch, going from window to roof to ledge until he hit the ground. He looked up to see Jason diving straight toward him. With practiced effort, the boy spun his arms around, magic circles active. A burst of wind softened his landing.

Caleb was unimpressed. "Do you always have to be so dramatic?"

"It's part of my charm."

"It's part of the reason your last two brain cells are fighting for second place." Jason crumbled like he'd been shot.

"Even my darling Rachel wouldn't say something like that to me," he whined, shaking as he stood. Caleb paid no mind to him and headed towards their guild. He had a report to hand in and didn't want to get scolded for being late.

***

The night had fallen across the city, and Caleb had finally managed to lose Jason. The town grew calm as the last few partygoers hurried inside their houses before curfew. The clock rang loud in the night, and magid enforcers dispersed in the streets, searching. Their sensors scanned every lone corner and broad road. It was clear light without contaminants.

A small sensor swayed on his hip as he walked. It was silent, as usual. He was mandated to check the reader every few minutes, but it always bore the same results.

〚 NO DARK MAGIC DETECTED 〛

And I still have a few hours of this left, he sighed, tucking away the meter. Under his cloak, it buzzed, ever so faintly. His awareness sharpened instantly. The traces were there, barely.

Above.

He continued his path to meet Jason at their hourly checkpoint, now aware of the shadow following him from the rooftops. He followed the map in his head, finding a path with no exit—a risk to catch his hunter.