Half of Ruby

Chapter 4

In the citadel of Magnaeia, rumor spread more quickly than mail and messages did. Sprinting down the ramshackle buildings, exploding through the dark alleyways of the city, the news of Jinx's arrest entered every household in a matter of minutes, drawing from each doorway a mass of people, a family, a couple, clamoring children. 

Ruby shoved against the crowd, but her attempts were probably just as useless as her attempts to justify her relationship with Jinx. The Court was only blocks away from the Square, but the distance seemed much longer with the tangled net of Fae trying to shove their way through the streets.

Eventually, Ruby ducked into one of the side alleyways, taking a shortcuts to the Court, a street her mother had once showed her.

"Aetriwikn," she swore under her breath, glaring at the shadowed pavement. The buildings on either side cast their long, spiky teeth of darkness over the alleyway, swallowing her in their jaws.

After meandering around the crowds she wanted to avoid both for a faster arrival at the Court and to be spared their pitying looks, Ruby came to a halt a few paces away from the West Entrance of the Court.

Stuffed into an overtight casing of garish gold and silver décor, the Court, a combination of Fae and Giant architecture, bore a pudgy, round body and a bald ivory dome crowned with a ridiculously snobbish-looking silver Fae.

The Court stood as the teacher of so-called political and economic lessons. The only lesson it did teach, however, was that Fae and Giants should never combine their artistry.

Ruby, however, didn't have time to scowl at the pompous pout of the Court as she usually did when she ran past its glowering glare. Out of breath, she slid to a halt at its West Entrance, staring up at the guards before it. Two rows of red-coated men, brandishing spears, stared sternly down at her.

"I...salvete dia," she stammered, suddenly unsure of what to say in front of the men who were inferior only to nobility. "I would like access to the trial of Jinx."

"No," came the only response, though the rough, rumbling voice could've stemmed from any of the guards.

"Why not?" challenged Ruby. "Let me in!"

"No," came the response again. Who was the guard who was actually talking?

"Oh, yeah, well, I'm not taking 'no' as a response. Jinx is my boyfriend." And with that, she strode forwards—

"No."

The spears clanged forwards into a perfect X, successfully barricading Ruby's attempted entrance.

Undaunted, Ruby crossed her arms over her chest. "I deserve access to the trial. I am related to the persecuted."

"No."

"Is that all you know how to say?!" demanded Ruby, the words surging out of her lips before she could even think twice.

"That is it, Madame. We'll be escorting you away from the Court."

One of the guards—the one closest to Ruby on her left, stepped forwards.

Ruby's eyes widened. "No—"

"Ahem."

A gasp fluttered from Ruby's lips as she wheeled around, eyes wide. No, she can't be here. Not now!