Runaway Magic

eleven

As we strolled through the crumbling town, I observed. I watched the way confidence rolled off Amina's body in waves, from her thick, plaited hair to her clever brown eyes and her menacing dagger. She even swayed with a distinct swagger as she walked. But more than that, I scrutinized the people around us. Liefja was a small place, but it was bustling with people. Access to the border provided a lot of opportunities for trade. Even so, I began to notice the wide berth surrounding our group. Merchants whispered secrets into each other's jewel-ringed ears as we passed, their eyes falling over Amina's dark form before lowering quickly to the ground. If I didn't know any better, I'd say they were wary of her. Scared, even. Was I supposed to be scared of her too?

"Why is everyone ogling us?" I asked Kenna, keeping my voice low enough that no one else overheard.

Kenna shrugged before gesturing in a circle. "We're a group of diverse girls traveling alone," she said, as if that was a satisfactory explanation. "Besides," she added with the ghost of a smirk, "would you not be staring at Amina?"

I offered her a teasing smile, but uneasiness still simmered deep in my stomach. The fear in the townspeople's eyes only reminded me of the horror reflected in the gazes of our neighbors as Mr. Kasumova had marched me to the pyre. Then, I had known their apprehension was unfounded, but now, I wasn't so sure.

One look at Kenna's face told me she didn't want to hear any more of my conspiracy theories, so I sidled up to Ekki. The Fjallen girl side-eyed me, frowning as if she had already anticipated my incoming questions.

"What exactly is this 'job' we need to accomplish?" I asked.

"You'll find out when we get to the Tavern," she said shortly, not even deigning to spare me a full glance.

"Well, when will we get to the Tavern?"

"Now," Amina answered for her, drawing us to a stop.

We stood in front of a hole in the wall. Literally. A dense metal door sealed the circle shut, at odds with old-fashioned stone wall it lay within. Before my buds of misgivings could blossom into full-on dread, Amina stepped forward and rapped sharply on the door. Her knuckles made a hollow sound.

I gulped as a rectangular slit slid open, revealing a narrowed pair of eyes. One iris was pale brown, the other a stormy blue.

"Code?" the eyes demanded.

Amina muttered something in Ijinisljin, the syllables cascading over each other. Unfortunately, while Mama had bewitched us with her grandparents' stories, she had never thought to teach us the language. Not that she was a fluent speaker anyway, but now more than ever I wished she had taught us basic vocabulary.

The door swung open with the grating sound of rusty hinges on metal. A scrawny but solemn boy stood in front of us, his mismatched eyes gleaming from the darkness of the entrance. The frown on his face cracked with a smile as he stepped forward to embrace Amina, his dark, tousled hair blending in with hers. I fidgeted awkwardly, waiting for the intimate moment to be over.

Finally, Ekki rolled her eyes and forced them apart. She hissed something in Ijinisljin, jerking her head back at Kenna and I. Great, now everyone knew Ijinisljin but the two of us. Was it possible to feel any more inferior?

"Welcome to the Tavern," the boy said, spreading his arms wide.

"It's great to see you, Crow," Amina said, inclining her head. "But let's skip the monologue and get down to business."

"Are you sure you don't want anything to drink?" Crow asked, sliding into the bench beside Amina with two frosted glasses of alcohol clutched in his hands. I wrinkled my nose at the golden liquid's acrid smell. "Lighten up a little," he said with a chuckle, noting my disgusted expression.

"Kids don't drink in Kenj," Kenna supplied. But, by the way Amina sipped her drink so casually, they obviously did in Ijinislj. Not in Fjall though, judging by how Ekki frowned at Amina. Amina only shrugged, partaking in another sip. Voices murmured around us, but the lighting was too dim to make any of them out. Better that way, since I didn't want to see what seedy crowd we were hanging out with.

Finally, when she and Crow had drained nearly half their glasses, she spoke.

"We're going back to Ijinislj," Amina said. Crow recoiled, setting down his alcohol with a surprised thud. "Don't worry," Amina reassured with a wave, "we're still going to do the job first."

"What exactly is the job?" I interrupted. Crow raked his eyes over my body, smirking at the involuntary blush that blossomed on my cheeks.

"Back off," Amina warned. "Kenna and Sera are coming with us. And don't go corrupting them in the meantime. Shockingly, some people aren't as naturally dirty-minded as you."

"I beg to differ," Crow began, but Amina cut him off before he could start another bickering match. This time, a different emotion shone in her eyes: excitement. She rocked forward in her seat, nearly knocking her glass of gold off the harsh-cut table.

"We're going to steal Earnest Morning's jewel."

She grinned, showing all of her pearly teeth. Ekki and Xia exchanged a look. Kenna and I remained emotionless. If Amina had been expecting her words to fill us with anticipation, she had overestimated us.

"What the hell is that?" I finally asked. Crow rolled his eyes in exasperation. I bristled at his barely concealed condescension.

"Who are these street kids?" he asked, flicking to question Amina. "Do they know nothing?"

"Of course we do," Kenna snapped in my defense. She slammed her hand down on the table, turning her palm to face the ceiling. A flame blossomed in the center, sending soft light scattered across our faces. Immediately, Crow shut up, pressing his lips into a thin, knowing line.

"You're a witch," he breathed. He leaned back in his seat, appraising us with a whole new attitude. Call me crazy, but I think I even saw a shred of admiration cross his face. Then, he sharpened back into his previously wolfish state, dismissing Kenna's magic with a mere wave of his hand. She let it fade to smoky whisps, slumping back with a glare. "Regardless of how special you two think you are, you still know nothing," he sighed. "Earnest Morning was one of the greatest mages to ever live. He practically founded Kenj, but your country hides that little piece of information. Because gods forbid a magic-wielder receives any credit."

"The jewel is rumored to have healing properties," Amina added. "We're going to collect it, give it to good ol' Crow here, and use the profits to buy our way across the border."

"By 'collect', do you mean thieve?" I asked suspiciously, crossing my arms at her.

"Whatever you want to call it," Crow replied, pressing his elbows to the table as he leaned in. "All that matters is that the job gets done and you all get your money."

Obviously, I didn't enjoy the idea of us becoming thieves. Mama would smack the two of us if she even knew what we were contemplating. But as I squeezed Kenna's hand beneath the table, I remembered what we had sacrificed to get this far. As long as she breathed, Kenna wasn't safe in Kenj, and neither was I. Besides, it couldn't be that sinful to steal from a dead guy.

Right?