The crowd scattered in every direction, but no one came for us. The prince and his hunters were swallowed by another street, their noise fading under the calls of vendors rebuilding toppled stalls.
Rhea lowered her blade slowly, her eyes still sharp. Vesper slipped her rings back onto her fingers one by one. Selendra stretched like a cat and flicked her tail, satisfied for reasons only she knew.
I finally exhaled. The charm under my shirt was warm, steady, but Alma gave me nothing. I pressed harder. Alma, please. Just say something…but there was only silence.
"We need a place to rest," Rhea said. Her voice was low but final. "This city is no safer than the last."
Selendra's smile turned sly. "I know where to find a bed."
"No," Rhea snapped. "We'll pick our own."
