“Forgive me.” He bowed in apology. “I was not paying attention. I hope you are well.”
“Better now.” She stepped closer until they were nearly chest to chest. “Where are you going in such a hurry?”
“I’m looking for someone. Actually, it’s Mooriah. Have you seen her?”
Her flirtatious grin turned into a scowl. “Why would you be looking for her?”
“Clan business,” he said brusquely. She flinched, narrowing her eyes. Ember wasn’t certain what sort of clan business he could manufacture if she questioned him further, but fortunately, she did not.
“Well, I haven’t any idea where she is. You could, of course, summon her.”
She pulled out a pin from her pocket and pierced her finger before Ember could do anything to stop it. He doubled over in a fake coughing fit to hide his horrified reaction. What must it be like to shed your own blood with so little care?
Glister muttered a summoning spell. Ember vaguely heard her mentioning his name but was using every faculty he had to keep the contents of his stomach in place. During a match or a ritual, he was prepared for the sight of blood, but this took him completely by surprise. He straightened, still fake coughing, and a nearby vendor handed him a cup of herb water, which he accepted gratefully. After drinking down the cool, sweet liquid, he faced Glister again.
“She should be here in a few moments.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I’m always here for you, for anything you may need.” Her fingers grazed his arm. He wasn’t sure if she hadn’t closed her wound, or just hadn’t bothered to wipe off the blood, for a trace of it lingered on his skin.
Two of her friends, whom he recognized from their days in school, waited for her a few steps away. She sauntered toward them, looking back at him saucily, while his arm burned. Logic told him a trace of blood couldn’t possibly sear his skin, but such was the nature of his affliction. It was not logical, and he could not control it. Neither could he control the shame it brought him.
He stared at his arm, unsure of what to do. Beside him, someone cleared their throat.
When he didn’t respond, they did it again. “Ember? You required my presence?” Mooriah sounded annoyed.
He shook himself and wiped his forearm on his hip, transferring the stain to the side of his waistcloth. “Thank you for coming.”
“I didn’t have much of a choice. Your summoning spell made me feel an all over itch until I complied.”
His gaze shot to her, surprise lifting his brows. “I’m sorry. It wasn’t my spell. I ran into Glister and apparently made the mistake of telling her I was looking for you.”
Mooriah snorted. “Well, that explains it. I’m not her favorite person.”
“Is this one bothering you, sir?” the vendor asked, stepping out from his stall. His wares included boots and clothing made of some kind of animal hide, one of the small rodents that made the caves their home. Mooriah’s eyes narrowed, and she took a step away from Ember.
“No, she’s not. Thank you for your concern.” He gazed around the nearby crowd to find many eyes upon them. “We should speak elsewhere,” he said in a low voice. “Will you come with me?”
She sighed, looking resigned and not at all pleased about it. A weight settled upon his heart. On top of the burden of the peoples’ attitudes regarding the unclanned, he was adding an additional load, something he hadn’t considered.
He led her away from the market and onto a wide avenue. “Were you busy? I didn’t even ask Glister to do the summoning. I definitely wouldn’t have if I knew it would be so forceful.”
“Not busy, not really. Just studying. Practicing. That’s mostly all I do.” Her voice was matter of fact, but the statement was sad. Ember could relate. Fight training, strategy, and history lessons took up almost all of his day. If he became chieftain, he wanted to be a better one than his father. And even if he didn’t, he would become an advisor to Rumble—not that he expected his brother to take any of his advice.
They headed to one of the upper tiers of the city, crossing a series of angled bridges, which took them higher into the domain of the upper classes of the clan. However, some levels were entirely abandoned as more and more had left the mountain for the Outside.
One of Ember’s suggestions to his father had been to consolidate