'When do you think you will be getting these supplies in?' I ask, hoping that Claudia’s words have had the desired effect and Tavish will be a bit more friendly.
But his lip curls into an even nastier sneer.
I glance behind me, and I see Jak on the other side of the road, his worried gaze flitting to me every few moments as he tries to extricate himself from the elderly man.
'Get the fuck out of my shop, you Dark Realm bitch,' Tavish snarls with such vehemence that I take a step back.
'Fine!’ I mutter, intending to leave.
Jak can deal with the trader if he has such a problem with me.
But he steps out from behind the table and gets close.
Too close.
Like the man in the alley.
Anger and fear I’d never admit to overtake me, and although he hasn’t hurt me, something happens that I don't expect. I feel the same rush from inside me that I felt in the alley and, from high in the ceiling, something falls and lands right on Tavish's head, exploding on impact. A small bird’s egg, I realize, as the yolk drips slowly down his forehead and along the bridge of his nose.
He’s frozen in surprise for a moment too long and then, comically, staggers back and looks up into the rafters with a shocked expression on his face.
I slap my hand over my mouth as he remembers I’m still there and glowers at me, and then I turn on my heel and walk briskly out of his shop.
I did that somehow. I know I did. I’d discounted what happened in the alley as a coincidence, but I felt it just now. It came fromme. But how? I wasn't hurt. That isn’t how this works.
Perhaps I’m being silly. Maybe itwasjust a coincidence.
It hasn’t happened before I came to the Light… I stop in my tacks in the middle of the street as I remember something from Merediea. It was before Locke took my memories.
At the time, I half-noticed but I had other pressing problems… It’s so hazy, and I don’t think it’s because of his conjure. I was trying to escape the paddock, I remember. I was trying to find Locke. The others were gone and one of those odd attacks was upon me. I was in desperate need, and I knew Locke had to be close. In that moment, he was the only one I trusted. There was a goblin. He was stopping me. I was angry, much as I was just now, same as in the alley. The door slammed on his hand and the candle flared, setting his tunic on fire. But then Locke was there and took me away. I’d forgotten all about it.
The power of the Kismet has always been latent, something I couldn’t control, something that worked through me, but this is different. This ismypower. If I can harness it…
‘Are you Bryn?’
I turn to see a young woman holding a young babe in a doorway close by.
I nod and she beckons me.
‘Can I help?’ I ask.
She nods. ‘My name is Dawn. This,’ she lifts the babe in her arms slightly, ‘is Taramel.’
I glance back. Jak is still with the old man.
‘You’re Fae Jak’s new apprentice, aye?’
‘Yes, I am,’ I say hesitantly while trying not to smile at Jak’s nickname. ‘What seems to be the problem?’
Relief shows in her countenance.
‘It’s the babe. She feels warm to me. Too warm. Will you look at her?’
‘Of course, but,’ I look back again, ‘if you’d rather, Jak will be here in a minute. Would you like to wait for?—’
She’s already shaking her head. ‘No. This is a woman’s problem. I'd feel more comfortable if it was you.’
‘Of course. Shall we go inside?’
