“Those assholes cut off our power after seven. They said they need to conserve energy, but meanwhile they’re up there in their towers with all of the lights on,” Story says as he looks over at the wall enclosing the capital. Even from here, there are clear specks of light that stand out even more among the dim light we find ourselves in. “We’re the ones who have to work to give them that power, and they won’t even let us use it.”
“Have you tried cutting them off from things they need?” Riley asks curiously.
“They control everything,” Lark says. “The moment we stop one thing, they’ll stop something more vital that’ll hurt us. It won’t end well for us.”
Riley frowns. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
“We’re quite the spectacle. I feel very important,” Mickey says as everyone peeks out of their homes to stare at us while we walk by.
“Well… when you’re used to looking at half-dead and grubby men, it’s easy to see why,” Lark teases.
“I can take my shirt off if it’ll help. I’m actually looking for more followers, and…” I eye the annoyingly attractive Vero with his crop top. “We really don’t want them following the wronggod, so a hood for that one would be nice. It doesn’t even need holes.”
“If you put a hood on me, I will crush your bones,” Vero growls.
Irritation spikes inside me that he’d even think of talking back to me after all he put Riley through. I turn around and abruptly stop, causing Vero to bump into me, which is all the excuse I need to start a new fight. “I would like to see you try.”
“Clothes off first, please,” Mickey requests. “You can leave your socks on for a bit of spice but everything else off.”
“Nope. Noooo. Remember how we’re trying to gain followers? Can’t do that by acting like two roosters,” Riley says, and his hand gently resting on my chest immediately soothes my soul.
Vero scoffs. “I see you’ve been whipped. You do whatever that weakling says.”
“Oddly enough, you do too since you’re stopping every time I ask,” Riley says.
Vero ignores that and looks around for someone else to bully. His eyes settle on Mickey, who doesn’t seem to know what to do with the look.
“Are you going to apologize for mistreating me? Look at my hands! My hands! I could barely eat. I could barely move,” Mickey whines as he shows off his hurt hands from Vero pushing him.
Riley grins. “Do you think maybe it’s not because of your hurt hands but because you’ve had Tommy cut your food for you ever since you revived him?”
“Whose side are you on, Riley?” Mickey asks.
He laughs and gives Mickey’s shoulder a squeeze. “You’re right. I’m on your side.”
“Over here,” Lark says as she nears their home. “While things are… rough, we do have ample homes because the branded aren’t permitted to have children.”
“Yet after hundreds of years there are still many of you,” Riley says.
Lark gives him a very sarcastic “Ha” like she’s pleased he gets it. “Yes. All of us were born from those who aren’t branded. Funny, right?”
“How do they forbid you from having children?” I ask, slightly scared of what the answer might be.
“Nothing medical unless we fail to follow the rules,” she assures me. “We’re raised by families who aren’t related to us. And there are children to adopt if we want any because all of this hasn’t stopped those in the capital from having kids and tossing them out the moment they show any sign of magic. Not all of them want to give up their children—there are many who don’t—but they’re given no option.”
“So then… are you and Story full-blooded siblings?” Mickey asks.
“We are. Our parents tried twice and threw both of us away. They have a child now, though. He has no magic and they are so happy,” she says with a dark look on her face. “Those people behind those walls… they’re monsters. And I’ve had about enough of it.”
She walks inside her home and removes her shoes, so the rest of us do as well. Once she’s lit a lantern, she heads up the stairs and gestures at two doors. “There are only two rooms available, but the beds are big enough to share. We also have a couch, although I’m afraid it’s quite worn and not very comfortable. Or we could make a bed on the floor with cushions. I’ll light a lantern for both rooms. Just please make sure you put them out before you sleep.”
“I don’t need a lantern; I can see quite well in the dark because of Kit,” Riley says, passing the lantern to Mickey as he pets a yawning Kit. “Well… when she’s awake I can see quite well.”
Lark waves toward the door between the two bedrooms. “Here is the bathroom. You’ll have to wait to shower until the morning since there’s no hot water without electricity. But I’ll leave some washcloths out so you can wash up.”
“Thank you so much, Lark,” Riley says.
She shakes her head. “No idea why you’re thanking me. You’re doing so much for us. You’re giving us hope for the first time in… I think all my life.”
