Smoke filled the air so thickly, it was hard to see more than a few feet ahead. They weaved through the crowds, which mostly gathered in the pathways between the different vendors of the market. The flickering orange flames of candles spread throughout the market were caught behind silk flowing from the ceiling and blown glass sculptures that turned the light violet, cerulean, and crimson.

Along the walls, she could make out the dust-coated, crumbling altars that had been used down here to worship before the warehouse was built over it and the Inosen’s lives snuffed out. The dim light lent an eerie glow to the sculptures still molded into the walls and ceiling in the figures of the Mothers, Kalaan and Isar. Their faces had been smashed to the point that they were barely recognizable. Kalaan, the goddess of love and war, carried a bow and arrow, painted red, while Isar, the goddess of hope and intellect, held a silver harp. The paint had chipped over the years, leaving all the statues with a muted gray cast.

People sat upon rugs smoking, drinking, and chatting among themselves. Vendors sold their wares to any number of shady characters. Hooded Durozvy arms smugglers huddled in a group, their eyes watchful and mistrusting. Most arms in the city were sold through the main supplier Kohl had always sent her to, but some other sales made their way through markets like these. Kors were slipped under tables and within handshakes. No one looked too closely at her, so engrossed in their own crimes, they didn’t seem to notice one of the most wanted people in the city walking among them. Still, she was careful not to meet anyone’s eye.

Teo led them past a section of Linasian reindeer fur and velvet traders, nodded at them and mumbled a greeting in their shared language. They finally stopped in a darkened corner, and Aina smiled a little. Despite the general shadiness of the place, it was somewhere familiar and welcoming to her. It was almost like being back in the Dom.

“Is this the illegal black market?” Ryuu whispered loudly, his eyes bigger than the moons.

Ignoring him, Teo asked Aina, “How did Kouta survive? And why are you with him?”

She waved a hand at Ryuu in frustration. “He saved him.”

“With magic? That’s the only way you could stop that much bleeding.” When Ryuu nodded, Teo turned to Aina, his eyes narrowing. “Have you seen Kohl yet?”

Her hand moved to her temple, feeling the bruise that was surely purple by now. “He wasn’t thrilled.”

Teo frowned and reached out to touch the bruise. Aina winced, not just because it still hurt, but because she knew Teo wouldn’t understand.

“He hit you?”

“What do you expect?” she asked, stepping back. “I messed up. I’m lucky he’s giving me another chance.”

“That’s bullshit,” Teo said with a shake of his head. “What are you going to do now?”

She nodded toward Ryuu. “He’s going to help us find Kouta by paying for a practitioner and any bribes we need.” Swallowing hard, her eyes focused on anything but Teo’s face, she muttered, “Kohl took my money as punishment.”