Chapter 15

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My heart stopped every single time I passed a pair of guards patrolling the streets. Security had been amped up since last week and I quietly weaved myself in and out of crowds before ducking into an alley.

It was the alley Titus and I had gone in last week, the way to the sweetliar's court.

The kid was back, sitting on a bar of the ladder. He jumped off when he saw me.

" Oh random girl, you're back."

" Hi." I said, " Is Titus here?"

The boy looked almost sorry for me, his eyes analyzed me from top of bottom then once more. " Uh before I say anything you should know that Titus is a sweetliar and that whatever happened between you two was probab-"

I cut him off, " No. I just need to talk to him about something."

Squirrel didn't look like he believed me but moved aside, I tried to drop a few coins in his hand but he shook his head.

I tried a few more times but he refused the money. Finally I sighed and gave up.

" Titus won't change." He said softly when I touched the first bar.

" You can't change him, a lot of people have tried but he won't be the knight in shining armor that you want."

Squirrel glanced at me, his expression serious and I could only nod before starting my way up.

I pull myself over the ledge and stared at the tent. Still the same music, the same loud laughter. The same gap I needed to jump over and this time Titus wasn't going to be here to catch me.

I had jumped too far last time. I forced myself to tear my eyes away from the gap and back up.

Then it was one foot over the over and I jumped but I hesitated. The air rushed up against my face and my mouth went dry when I realize what was happening.

That hesitation killed my jump and I was short a few feet. My body slammed into the concrete side of the wall and I gasped as I was holding on by my fingertips. I tried to find a foothold but the second I did, my foot slipped and I let out a yelp.

I pulled myself over and landed nimbly on the mat. I stayed there for a long time until the pain subsided.

The court was less crowded today and I felt eyes dart over to me before gradually sliding away.

I spotted Titus in the corner of the bar. He's surrounded by a group chatting, laughing, drinking.

It didn't take five steps until he noticed me. His eyes snapped up to meet mine and for a second I just stare at his crimson eyes, wondering what was going on in his mind.

Emotion flicked through his face and he rose to his feet. From the way he walked, I knew he wasn't quite sober but he wasn't quite drunk either.

" What are you doing here?" His voice didn't have its usual flirty tone.

" You've been gone so long, I didn't know if you were coming back. The necklace is still missing."

He was quiet.

" I'm sorry." I said softly, " I was wrong to imply that sweetliars didn't have emotions and didn't care for anyone else."

" Sweetheart, you should go home. I'll get the necklace back okay? And then you won't ever have to see me again."

He returned to the group without a second glance back and I turn on my heels and relish the feeling of cool air against my face as I stepped outside.

There was a dull aching in my chest and it's reminiscent of the time of my first breakup with a farmer boy.

This time I land on my feet, pain shoots up my legs and I have to steady myself before continuing.

Squirrel doesn't say anything as I quickly make my way down and leave. In fact all he does is stare at me with the same sympathetic look.

The next two days pass like a blur. Jack returned to work and then it's just me and Harley at home.

Harley was free to do whatever she wanted but she preferred to stay by my side, resting her head across my lap as she read her books to me.

" Roses and weeds grow from the same place and I never thought a weed could look so pretty among a bouquet of flowers. Nore thought, his eyes watch as Opal dances across the ballroom, her smile illuminating the dim space." Harley sighed and I can't help but smile.

" Tell me a story before you came here, what was your life like?" She looked up at me and I stroke her hair.

No one knew who I was before I moved in, the only exception was Jack.

" I grew up a few cities away from Xia. I had a dad and grandparents. To my knowledge, my mom abandoned me when I was a few months old. And at fourteen Jack and I became friends and I moved in."

" I already know that Sia, tell me something interesting." She said.

" When I was younger, my dad really loved to travel to different cities and he would take me along when I was old enough to be trusted to not get lost. I visited cities with more people than I've never seen in my life, cities with monuments, grand markets.." I trailed off.

Harley sat up, her eyes practically shining,
" Your dad is so cool, why don't you talk about him more?"

I smiled tightly, " I don't know."

There was a loud knock on the door and I nearly jump, Harley glanced up at me, her expression anxious.

There was another knock, this time more urgent and louder.

But before I could see who it was or even make it to the door, the door burst open and Harley's screamed.

Dante was at the door and bleeding profusely.

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