“He’s from back home,” I say, trying to answer silent questions and chip away at the tension. We’re all wary of outsiders, I get it. But Julius isn’t an outsider, he’s part of me.

“Yep, no magic.” He holds up his hands. But it’s not until his sleeves slide down, revealing his bare wrists, that Taavi’s curiosity appears satisfied.

“Bri, can you give him a Defense Boost potion to help in case he gets caught up?”

“I can handle mine, shawty,” he says, but I flash him a look that says I wasn’t asking.

Bri hands him the potion and he guzzles it down, grimacing at the taste.

“Well, now that everyone knows everyone, we can get going.” I turn to Jue. “Stick at my side at all times.” I don’t think anyone would try to hurt him, but just in case.

“Aight, fam,” he says. “Just… I’m here to look out for you. So, whatever you need.” He reaches to throw an arm around my shoulder, but I think of Jhamal and pull away before he can. Don’t want to give him the wrong impression. He’s my best friend. Friend. And I need him here as that right now. For counsel, to vent, keep eyes out. Zora’s stare burns my back as I head to the front of the store with Julius in tow.

“Neat rows, please,” I say. “The frailer travelers on the inside.”

Bodies shuffle, metal clanging, as people tuck in tight, canisters bumping against weapons. Chatter sprinkles throughout the place, and I spot the girl with the shaved head. Her cheekbones sit high, dark eyes perched on soft cheeks. She’s too young to have even been designated. She must be one of the ones Taavi mentioned who was born here.

The girl clenches her jaw and I feel her fire. A familiar one. The world outside the bubble she’s lived in is completely unknown to her. The way it works, the dangers that lurk, are all things she’s been taught. But now she’s marching into it. The difference between reading about war in my history textbook in Ms. Apple’s class and actually facing the General head-on. I have half a mind to tell her to stay here, but if she’s anything like me, those words will fall on deaf ears.

“Keep a close eye on that one for me,” I tell Julius, pointing. “I want her protected at all costs.”

“She young, ain’t she?”

“Sometimes it’s the ones we underestimate who are the most dangerous. She’s a fire hungry to burn, but we need to control her fury, or she could hurt herself or others in the process.”

“Yo, who are you?” He holds his chin with a pinch, all dramatic like. “This glow up is real, fam. I can already see the crown—”