Find Your Fire - The Angulus Chronicles #1

Chapter Twenty-Three

The smell of rich curries and smoked vegetables came wafting towards us from the hundred little vendors in front of us as Oahn, Orin and I were strolling down the hill to get lost in the Spice Market. The white fabrics of the roofs greeted us with blinding light as the blazing sun reflected against it. Today was hot. Hotter than I was comfortable with. My neck was sweating like crazy underneath my curly hair and let's not talk about the pits of my arms.

I peered underneath my eyelashes at the two idiots next to me. They did not look sweaty. At all. Like none. Orin wore this white, flowy summer dress, the halter of her top adorned with small seashells and she wore her usual beaded necklace. She caught my gaze and lifted her brow.

"What's up?" Her voice was bright and she seemed more cheerful than usual. In an hour, she was supposed to meet with Miuh. He was going away on a trip to the coast of Bulgyur for the day and asked the fiery beauty to join him on his quest. I hadn't told her about Lorem's guesses for his behaviour and I wasn't going to. I might not trust Miuh anymore but he and Orin did seem to really like each other and what a friend would I be if I ruined it. I know, I know. If I really care about her, I should warn her. But don't you think I should first find out if it is true or not?

"I'm so hot." I wafted cool air with my hand, the palms sweaty too.

"Yeah, you are." Oahn smiled. Today he wore a white shirt and khaki pants and it did wonders for his body. God damn.

I prodded him in the side with my elbow. "Shut up. You know what I mean."

We entered the market plaza, the paths in between vendors crowded with people looking for food or cheap fabrics. The main focus was on things like thyme and chili's and stuff like that, but like a normal market, it was also filled with stalls selling weapons and jewelry and fabrics.

I slid my fingers over a soft pink, velvety looking rug from one of the vendors as we passed. The old woman behind the stall gave me a kind smile, her eyes wrinkled with age.

I nodded and smiled back at the woman. I wish I could buy these all for my room in the Teach Aniar. They were beyond gorgeous. I already saw myself hugging the rug in front a fire while I was reading a good book. When I looked up, I found the other two standing still in front of a vendor selling spells and recipes for potions.

"-... have such a pretty girlfriend." Oahns rumbling laugh echoed over the crowd.

"She's-... eh-... we're just friends."

I walked over to my friends and saw Banji standing behind the stall, his face bright red and staring at a beautiful girl next to him.

"I'm Shanli. Nice to meet you. Banji told me so much about you all." The girl stretched her delicate, gloved hand to shake Oahn's but he grabbed it and planted a soft kiss on it despite the oily substance covering it.

"I'm Oahn. The pleasure is all mine. I must admit, we haven't heard a thing about you, but Banji doesn't look like a boy to brag."

I slowly shook my head and joined them. The girl was no older than sixteen but Oahn was still trying to be the Casanova. I must admit the girl was impressive. Her raven black, drop dead straight hair reached her shoulders and her bright blue eyes seemed wise beyond her years. Two cuffs of shining gold adorned her small ears and her nose was ringed with gold too. The jewelry brought an edgy side to her cute and innocent face.

Oahn showed her his puppy eyes but she seemed rather unimpressed by his behavior. I immediately liked the young girl.

"Trying to seduce your way into the girl's heart, Oahn?" I hip-bumped him to push him away so I could reach the hand Shanli now stretched to me. I shook it gently but her grip was surprisingly firm. "Hello Shanli. I'm Catalina. It's nice to meet you."