“I’ve read about it.”
“Have you read about everything?”
“Of course not, but I have an interest in Earth Kingdom, and so naturally, I’ve read about it.”
“If you know so much, then tell me, how are we to obtain money?”
“I’m working on it.”
“Are you?” I asked.
“Yes, I am.”
“How do I know you aren’t saying that just to appease me?”
He stopped walking and gave me his hard stare. “Enough,” he said. “How am I to get anything done with you constantly questioning me?”
“So far, you’ve accomplished nothing. I would be better off alone.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, it is.”
We continued walking in silence. Our clothing attracted a few stares, though I supposed in a city such as this, cultural differences were the norm, so we didn’t stand out as much as we would have in a smaller Earthlander village.
We passed a large ornate building, and the sign over the doors read Banque de France.
Maveryck studied the building and then turned to me. “I’ll have to enter alone.”
“Why can’t I come in?”
He glanced at the blood drying on my now-tarnished breastplate. “I think it’s best if I enter alone.”
“Why?”
“Because this building is where the Earthlanders keep their money, and they tend to be frightened when people carry weapons and wear bloodstained armor into their financial institutions. We would most likely get arrested, spend the rest of our journey sitting in one of their dungeons, and never make it back home.”
I hated to admit it, but he had a point. “How long will this take?”
“Not long.” He paused. “Hopefully,” he added.
“What am I supposed to do while I wait?”
“I’m sure you’ll think of something.”
I narrowed my eyes. “How are you going to obtain their money?”
He gave me a sly grin. “Have you forgotten my profession?”
He was a thief. Right.
“Don’t stay here,” he said, “meet me at the base of the tower after sunset. With any luck, we’ll soon have a few coins to barter with.” When he turned away and entered the building, I had half a mind to storm in after him. What made him think he could just abandon me here in the middle of the street? I balled my fists. People walked on either side of me, crowding me, pressing in on every side.
I hated this city, hated the loud noises and crowded sidewalks. It was unfamiliar in every way possible, and though I was loath to admit it, the city frightened me, especially now that I was alone.
But I had no way to get back home, so I walked away from the building and toward the strange tower. Lights illuminated its peak in colors of red and blue. The sight was strangely awe-inspiring, and I found myself drawn to it. Soon, I stood in a large open space beneath the tower. This area, like every other place in the city, was crowded, but I managed to push my way through the throng in order to find my way to the spot directly beneath the structure’s apex.
As I stared overhead, the peak seemed to stretch all the way to the top of the universe. Although Earth Kingdom was a strange and unfamiliar place, I had to admit that nowhere in Faythander would I find a sight such as this. The elves had no use for towers, the Wults preferred their keeps and fortresses, and the pixies built homes in the trees. Finding a construction such as this in my world would be a rare sight.
I remained lost in thought until something touched my arm and a wisp of magical energy flowed through my shoulder. I grabbed my knife and spun around, but I saw no one. Scanning the crowd, I looked for the person who had touched me, but only saw a few people with frightened expressions as they focused on my knife.
I sheathed the blade but kept an eye out for danger. I was being careless. What if the wraith was following me and waiting for any moment of weakness to attack? Cursing under my breath, I vowed to be more vigilant.
A man with dingy white hair crossed my path. I followed him as he weaved through the crowd, keeping my blade close.
Searching for anyone in such a large crowd was nearly impossible, and I was sure the wraith knew it. After searching for what felt like an eternity, I finally gave up. He’d probably made his escape long ago.
But why did he need to track me? He already had the staff. I’d seen him create a portal in the tombs, so why was he still here in Earth Kingdom? Why hadn’t he created a portal and left this world?
I made my way back to the tower. A less-crowded square sat several hundred paces away from the Eiffel’s base, so I made my way toward it. Grass muffled my footsteps as I traded pavement for earth while I weaved through a maze of trimmed hedges. Sounds of running water came from up ahead, and I soon found a large fountain surrounded by stone benches. As I stepped into the courtyard, quiet footsteps echoed behind me.
Again, I grabbed my knife. This time, the intruder wouldn’t elude me. I rounded and readied my blade but stopped when I saw Maveryck approaching me.
I almost didn’t recognize him. He wore Earthlander clothing—a gray shirt that fit snugly and hinted at his defined chest muscles, dark pants, and leather shoes that looked more expensive than anything he should have been able to afford. The wind tousled his long locks of dark hair, and the faint, heady scent of his cologne filled the air. He looked even prettier than he had before, and my heart fluttered, a feeling that both annoyed and confused me.
Eying my knife, he took a step back.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
“Defending myself. I thought you were the wraith. I believe I saw him earlier.” I sheathed the weapon, thankful I didn’t have to use it.
“You saw the wraith?” he asked, raising an eyebrow in a distinctly elven gesture.
“I think
