Morning sunlight streamed in through the skylight and illuminated the large indoor market. Though, it was more of a market for services rather than goods. I swept my gaze over the multitude of rows containing tables and the people who were trying to promote their business behind them.
Violet had gotten back to us this morning, telling us that this was where we would most likely find a chef who was both skilled and available on short notice. It was where people, especially young ones who were trying to make a name for themselves, went to get some visibility for their business. Customers who needed something, anything from help fixing a broken pipe to sewing a ballgown, then showed up and browsed the vendors available. But there were a lot of them, and the space wasn’t structured into clear subsections with just one type of trade in each.
“We should split up,” I announced.
Callan glanced down at me before flicking his gaze over the mass of people and tables again. “Yeah.”
“Come find me if you talk to someone who fits the bill,” I said, and then stalked away before he could answer.
Searching separately was more efficient, but that wasn’t the only reason I had suggested it. I needed some space from Callan.
Cheerful chatter filled the air around me as I strode down one of the long rows of tables, letting the crowd swallow me while I looked for someone who advertised that they were a good cook.
While I walked, my mind kept going back to what had happened in that dining room last night. I didn’t like Callan, and love wasn’t even on the map. I hated him with every fiber of my being and I still planned to kill him as soon as we had gotten Lance out of Eldar. But what he had made me feel when he bent me over that table was beyond anything I had ever experienced. It was intense and raw and burned like wildfire inside me. I wanted to feel it again. And that terrified me.
I was self-sufficient. If I wanted something, I got it myself. I never relied on anyone else for anything. And now here was Callan Blackwell with something that I wanted. Something that only he could give me.
Straightening my spine, I shook my head. No. What happened last night could never happen again. From now on, it was strictly business until this mission was finished, and then I could finally kill this dangerous enemy of mine that I had let live for far too long.
My gaze snagged on a small wooden sign up ahead. Chef. Finally, someone who might be useful. Changing direction, I slunk through the crowd and approached his table. His eyes lit up when he saw me coming, but only a few questions into the conversation, I realized that he was far too inexperienced for this kind of thing. We needed someone who could impress the social elite, and he was not it.
Disappointment bloomed inside me as I detached myself from the conversation and moved on. The next few tables were all full of people advertising for the position of gardener. I strode through them and moved into the next row.
A few more chefs appeared as I made my way through the sunlit indoor market, and one of them actually seemed promising. When I reached the end of yet another row of tables, I paused for a second while considering whether or not I should just go and find Callan so that we could talk to the young dark-haired man who had seemed promising. I glanced down the other side. There was only one row left.
Blowing out a breath, I stalked around the table at the end and moved into it. I might as well check them all.
My blood froze.
Stopping dead in my tracks, I stared at the trio who had suddenly become visible next to a table halfway down. My parents. And my older sister Jenny.
They were standing in front of a small wooden table, speaking to a young woman who had a sign up that said teacher. I quickly moved across the now fairly open space so that there was a large group between me and them, but it took me within earshot.
“And how do you feel about working long hours?” Jenny asked.
A voice that I assumed belonged to the young woman on the other side of the table answered quickly, “Oh, that’s not a problem.”
“Excellent. Teaching is a calling, you know. And only a certain type of person can handle it.”
“Y-yes.”
“Well, I’ll be in touch.”
I glanced around the group I used for cover just in time to see my parents and sister move away from the young teacher and towards me. Walking around the big group, I made sure to stay on the opposite side while they rounded it too. Once they reached the side I had originally been on, they stopped. So did I.
“Have you made a decision?” my mother asked.
Pain stabbed into my heart. She sounded exactly the same as she had six years ago when I ran away.
“I’m not sure,” Jenny answered. “They’re all nice and everything, but they just don’t meet the standard for the kind of school I want to run.”
“That’s completely understandable. After all, they have very big shoes to fill if they are going to take over some of your classes.”
“But how am I supposed to expand the school if I can’t find any teachers? Am I being too harsh on them?”
“No, not at all.”
“I just want this to work.”
“It will.”
“Your mother and I are so proud of you, Jenny,” my father added.
It made a wave of emotions crash over me and I had to close my eyes briefly to stop myself from getting washed away by it.
“You have been a joy to raise,” he continued, and I could hear the smile in his voice. “Excelling at everything you take on. And we have no doubt that this school of yours will become a roaring success too.”
“Thanks, Dad. I really needed to hear that.”
Anger and pain ate away at my heart like acid.
I couldn’t be here.
I couldn’t listen to this.
It made me feel like I was fourteen years old again and it tore up a storm of emotions that I had spent years getting rid of. Feelings that had no business being in my chest. I was a dark mage now. I made men beg me for mercy with a flick of my wrist. I didn’t get my heart ripped open by a casual conversation between family members who I had left behind long ago.
The group I was hiding behind suddenly thanked the builder they had been speaking to, and clothes rustled around me as they got ready to leave. I snapped my gaze between them and my family who were becoming visible behind the dispersing group.
Turning abruptly, I strode straight for the other side of the row.
The teacher my sister had spoken to called out, asking if I was interested in hiring a tutor. I ignored her as I stalked down the alarmingly empty path between the tables as fast as I could without drawing attention. Casting a quick glance over my shoulder, I tried to discreetly make sure that no one in my family had seen me.
Thankfully, they weren’t even looking in my direction.
I turned my head back to the path ahead right as I got ready to round the corner.
And slammed straight into Callan’s muscled chest.
