Thief (The Ichor Series: book 1)

Chapter 11

I'm so sorry for such the long wait. Writers Block is the most annoying thing in the world. Anyways, better late than never. Enjoy!

Sky and I were in an embrace until an awkward cough broke us apart. Sky let go of me reluctantly, and I gently placed her back on the ground. As I set her on the ground, I became aware of the other guy that was standing there shifting from foot to foot looking uncomfortable.

"Uhm, are you two together?" The boy asked uncertainly.

Sky and I looked at each other. "Were we together?" that's what he asked. Funny that he thinks that, when in actuality we only met each other two days ago, and we had only met because Sky was being beaten half to death. Even then though, we wouldn't have met if I hadn't tripped over her when she was unconscious and nearly dead. Wow, I sound terrible. I tripped over a nearly dead girl and now it seems like we're dating. What is wrong with me?

"No, we aren't dating." I said curtly. No reason for messing with this kid, it won't do me any good.

I looked over to Sky who was now standing to the side of me nervously watching the exchange. "So Sky, wanna introduce me to your new friend here?" I asked.

"Oh, right, uhm, this is Theo..."

"Well hello Theo. I'm not going to tell you who I am, because I don't trust you yet." I said pointedly, "And if you get us in trouble, I will hunt you down and have you rot like the rest of us in the Maila District. Which will be more of a hell than anything a person like you could ever start to imagine."

I felt a slight tug on my arm and looked over at Sky how obviously wanted to tell me something. She seemed as if she wanted to sucker punch me. Was it something I said?

"Apologize. Now. He saved my life and you're treating him like the thugs that tried to kill me." Oh, oops. I didn't know that part.

I turned to Theo and looked at him, and before I could even say "sorry" he nodded his head as if to say that he accepted my apology. He must have seen my expression after Sky mentioned the "saving my life" and "thugs". Wow I feel like a jerk.

I turned to look at Sky again, but the next thing I knew, I was holding my cheek in pain.

She had slapped me across the face, hard. Her expression was one of disgust and rage.

What the Heck was that for?!

She stalked over to Theo and profusely apologized for me, "I am so so sorry about him. He doesn't get out much, and he isn't really fond of new people. I'm so sorry Theo."

"Don't worry about it Sky, I understand he doesn't like me because I'm not from this district. And because I'm better looking than him." He winked to her.

What in the world is going on between them?

Skylar turned a dark shade of crimson as she tried to turn away from Theo so he wouldn't see that blush that was spreading across Sky's cheeks. Seriously, what is going on? Skylar walked passed me with her face burning a fierce shade of red.

She walked over to the man who was knocked out cold and nudged him with her foot. I noticed that when she turned back towards us that her blushing had decreased by a significant amount.

"We need to get rid of him, or leave, before he wakes up. We don't need another person on our tail." Sky said to both Theo and I, but she was mainly speaking towards me.

"Let's go than. It's already nightfall and the guards are on patrol. I know a place we can crash, follow me." I said, still a bit annoyed that she actually hit me, in the face. Like, she could have hit my arm instead, that would have been a lot nicer than smacking me in the face. Though what am I complaining about, I should be used to it by now...

~**********~

I led them to an old worn down crumbling shop on the corner of the Market. It had heavy carpet tacked across the windows because the glass had been blown out a long time ago. But the entry door was still intact because it was made of an old heavy oak tree that had extremely intricate designs etched into it, which no one dared to ruin.

I pounded on the oak door for what felt like five minutes until a man in a kimono and a night cap opened the door. "Who is it this time? I have already told you people I don't know where the notorious Chase is."

"Mr. Rabidus, please let us in. It's me."

"Oh Chase, it's you. Yes, come in, come in. You shouldn't be out on the streets during the nights. It's bad, it's bad, very bad..." He started to patter off in a mumble as he turned around to let us all in through the door.

I turned to look back to make sure that Skylar and Theo were still behind me, and they just had perplexed expressions plastered on their faces. So with that, I turned back around and followed Mr. Rabidus into his shop.

His shop was filled with old antiques from many years ago, and everything was piled behind the glass counters that were on either side of the shop creating an aisle to walk down in between all of his paraphernalia.

As I continued to follow Mr. Rabidus to his main counter at the very end of the aisle, Sky and Theo started to look around. The last thing I saw was that they had both gone to the opposite counters of the shop and were looking at what was laid out on the glass surface.

I turned towards Mr. Rabidus, who had walked behind his counter and was now fumbling with an emerald amulet that was on a silver chain. "Mr. Rabidus, we need somewhere to sleep for the night. The Patrol is looking for us and we don't have time to go look for lodging at the moment. Would you mind if we slept outside in your courtyard tonight?"

"Oh course my dear boy. You are always welcome here, always welcome. My door is always open for you, you have done so much for me and I am very grateful, very grateful. I will set up the courtyard for you and your friends, mattresses, blankets, food..." he pattered off as his gaze fell to something behind me. His mouth was agape and his skin turned pale.

"By the Gods and Angels..."

******************************************************

Final Warning by Skylar Grey