With Jim carrying three bags of shopping, and me carrying the fourth, we start to head back to the apartment. Seeing the supermarket was another strange experience to add to my collection. I honestly don’t know why I’ve never been in one. But then, neither money nor food was ever a concern for me, I suppose.

Whilst I might be noticed everywhere that I go when I get out of a Myneris car; and do things like reserve theatre box seats, I am practically invisible here.

The fact that I’m in my ‘emo-teenager’ disguise probably helps (not a look I really like; but it’s somewhat liberating to wear trousers or jeans every so often). I looked up what these ‘street kids’ wear and this was the only sort of thing I had close in my wardrobe. My nice coat and scarf probably ruin it though.

Father would never allow me to buy this kind of stuff, but Fran was always gifting me her hand me down tank-tops and jeans. It’s kind of embarrassing that I can still fit into the things she wore when she was thirteen, but there are some mild benefits to being a stick.

I get to make biscuits now! I’m really like a child, getting obstinate about such a weird thing after basically reading a picture book. I honestly didn’t understand much about the cookbook I read besides what the final results were and generally how they tasted from my memory of said desserts, so it was indeed mostly about appraising the images.

“What kind of biscuits do you want to learn to make then? With the things we got; we can make choc-chip cookies, or shortbread, or cinnamon biscuits. Probably others if we check out the book. I make some good cinnamon biscuits; my mum’s recipe is great.” He seems quite amused still, which is nice.

I nod to him.

“Cinnamon sounds good.”

We walk down a small side road that leads to the forecourt before his apartment, when suddenly a tingle shoots up my spine.

A ward?!? I may not be a very good mage; but brother made sure I had some combat training. And this I can recognise as something bad.

“Lapis; something is strange.” Jim mentions, his head moving left and right. He eases his shopping bags down. He must have had the same sense I did. Of course, he would; he’s more powerful than I am for sure.

“It’s a warded area, Jim.” I confirm.

“Hm; I thought so. It’s an oppressive, draining feeling. But we came this same way on the way here. Why has it changed?” He ponders.

“Isn’t that precisely why?” I clarify. This is for us. I feel scared at my own cold logic.

“Ho. She isn’t as foolish as she first appears, then.” A voice resonates from all around us.

I jump from the voice, dropping my bag in fright. Jim pulls me closer to him. I feel embarrassed immediately at such an amateur slip, like a scared child, and I let my noble composure take over.

I give a once over to the surroundings we’re in. Jasper always said that’s the first thing you do in self-defence. Check out the terrain. Find where the exits are. The purpose isn’t to win against the assailants, but rather to evade their attack. Who are the assailants though? Can we even break through the warded area?

Nevermind. This is a quite narrow road. Garages for cars, dumpsters, trash cans. Not much foot-traffic normally, other than what we used it for; a shortcut. That’s bad for us, but good for the ambusher. Only his targets are likely to enter the ward.

“What do you want?” Jim asks the air.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“How cruel. I thought we wanted the same things, Jim.”

Huh? What is this voice talking about? It knows him? His stare seems to harden when I look aside to Jim. But he shakes his head.

“What are you talking about?” Jim queries. He honestly looks confused.

Suddenly, a spindly tall man, about six foot seven, walks out from behind one of the garages. He has a long black leather trench coat, looks quite pale, and has black hair. His hands are in his pockets.

Jim remains unfazed by this man, clearly not reacting to him. But I feel like I recognise him from somewhere…

The man frowns, looking at us.

“What happened to you, Jim?” He asks, seemingly puzzled by Jim’s lack of reaction.

“I don’t know what you mean?” Jim replied.

Oh! I remember! That necromancer! I swiped him right before I got to Jim, but he obviously rejected me unlike Jim did. Don’t underestimate my memory for faces! I was always the girl that instantly recognised an actor in a new film or play. What was his name… Right!

“Gavin, isn’t it?” I state; taking on my best noble’s training to keep my voice cold and steady.

Jim looks over at me with wide eyes. I shrug.

“I don’t know him either. But I remember his face from the Ember App once.” I whisper to him from up close, answering Jim’s unasked question.

Gavin suddenly seems furious.

“You betrayer!” He screams. “You were working with this noble bitch since the start! I thought we were friends!”

What? Is this guy one of those weird anti-noble people that brother is always trying to hunt down? Surely… Jim couldn’t have been one of them, right?

My heart almost freezes. Was he faking his affection all this time just to get vengeance on my brother!?!

Surely not… right…?

“Gavin. Can I call you that? I don’t know you. How can we be friends? What are you talking about? I’m not working with anybody. I honestly don’t understand. But you need to calm down and explain yourself.” Jim looks frustrated.

The tall gaunt man practically vibrates in anger. His look of astonishment is practically carved into his face. He seems quite insane. Just what is going on!?

“Hahahaha! HAHAHAHAHA!” He laughs maniacally. Then he suddenly stops, like something in him has snapped.

I feel terrible. Like a horrible danger is coming.

“Just… who… are… you?” He croaks, his eyes burning with fury.

I supress a shiver and a bark of alarm. This is a spell effect to be sure.

Suddenly, Jim stands protectively in front of me, his shoulder partly obscuring my vision.

“You’re even shielding your little noble sex slave. HOW THE MIGHTY HAVE FALLEN! What did they give you!?! HOW DID THEY TURN YOU!? HOW DARE YOU!” Gavin shrieks.

“No. How dare you. I still don’t understand what you want. Say what you want of me, but I won’t allow you insult my wife with such slurs! Apologise.” Jim’s voice is suddenly firm, and his eyes have changed, his jaw clenched.

He makes one more step in front of me.

I almost feel as though every doubt leaves me in an instant with that simple, single step.

That’s right. I’m not alone any more.

Maybe my husband has a past that is suspicious. Who knows what he did to survive before he was a Sudden-born? But why should that matter? No matter his motivations; I can’t look back at anything he has said and believe he could have truly meant me any harm.

Is that really naïve? It is. For sure. I’m an idiotic young girl and I probably can’t read people as well as I think. Maybe I was always due to be a pawn in the end?

But does it really matter?

I put my hand gently on Jim’s shoulder. I’m not just some blushing maiden. I will myself to move forwards and stand next to him, rather than behind him.

I pull on my power. I feel it welling inside of me. Sparks start to dance from my palms. Jim looks at me, first in a mild surprise, but then he closes his mouth and smiles. He blinks; but I can almost feel admiration and pride in that blink.

I’m probably hallucinating as well as being naïve, but still, it makes me feel good about myself.

If this man is going to threaten my new life, then I will stand by my husband.

That is all.