“You seem different… like… mom was,” Levi said as they snuggled together in bed, preparing to sleep. “Why?”

Grace smirked, able to see Levi looking toward her. Even with the soft light of the embers in the stove barely illuminating their room, his brown eyes were watching her. His hair had been trimmed and washed, reminding her of a time when it always looked like that.

“How so?”

He fidgeted a moment, pulling their new blanket up a little, and she could see him bite the corner of his lip, a habit their father had taught him anytime he spent a moment in thought. “How you look at me, and lately, you’ve been playing with me less. Now, you sit and watch like she did. Why?”

Guilt pierced her heart like a dagger might, wincing at his ability to notice that. She hadn’t meant to, but the truth was she felt different. Her soul was heavier. The weight of everyone she had killed, even if it was to protect him, dragged her down.

“You have had more kids to play with, and I need to take care of a few things,” Grace replied, reaching out with her finger and giving his nose a gentle tap. “I’ll always play when I can, but I also need to make sure you are safe and well-fed. Like that meat you devoured tonight.”

Levi giggled and rubbed his stomach under the covers.

“Meat is nice, but don’t forget, sister, you’re more important than meat.”

Drawing Levi closer to him, she kissed him on his forehead and gave him a hug until he pushed against her.

“Stop that! You’re squishing me, and you stink!”

Tickling him and listening to her brother squeal, Grace did what she could to let her fears and concerns vanish for a moment.

I’ll try Levi… try to remember to play more… I just need to make sure you’re safe first…

Giving him one last kiss, she watched as her brother closed his eyes and fell asleep in a few moments.

He was safe and loved, and that was all he needed to escape the nightmares that plagued her each night.

“You’re not listening, Max. I don’t have anything that will fit her! And a custom suit would take weeks!”

Max never uncrossed his arms, glaring at the salt and peppered-haired man who was making life hard at the moment.

“Listen, Nicholas, it doesn’t have to be perfect. Just something she can wear for some protection. Her chest, at least. Leggings would be great, but–”

“Everything I have is for grown-ass men! No one her size wears armor, and besides, why would she need any?”

Both men looked at Grace, who stood there, no expression on her face, watching them argue.

“You know who she is?” Max asked as he pointed at Grace.

“Your long lost sister? No, she’s a Gru–”

Max’s hand snaked over the counter, grabbed the man’s shirt, and pulled him halfway over the wooden top.

“Finish that word, and I swear to you that a new armor merchant will have to take your place,” Max growled, his eyes throbbing as he brought his face close.

Nicholas swallowed and nodded his head rapidly.

Max gave the older man a shove and released the merchant's shirt. Nicholas stumbled back a few steps, banging into the counter behind him.

“I… I’m sorry,” he replied, giving a small bow and holding both hands out toward Grace.

She nodded, still not saying a word, doing her best to not smile at how Max had defended her.

“She’s the one who brought the gangs together,” Max stated, watching as Nicholas’s eyes widened. “Some might want to remove that symbol, and I would prefer not to see that happen. Do I make myself clear?”

“I do!” exclaimed Nicholas, who moved to the far end of the counter and shop, right of where Max was standing. He bent down, pulled out a few crates stuffed under the counter, and began digging through them frantically. “Maybe…”

The man trailed off, spending the next few minutes muttering as he occasionally tossed a leather jerkin or pants on the counter before continuing his search. Once he had gone through both crates, he stood up and motioned for both of them to come close.

“I have a couple that might work with a few modifications,” Nicholas said as he set out four tops and two pairs of pants. “My biggest problem is time… I can cut the armor and make a crude stitched portion, but this won’t protect her against more than a possible dagger or sword of some untrained person. None of the other stuff wi–”

“I’ll take whatever you can have ready by tomorrow,” Grace said, interrupting him.

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

“Tomorrow?!” he sputtered. “That’s not possible. I would have to work all night, and even then–”

“How much?” Max asked, snapping his fingers and drawing the man’s eyes to him. “How much to have it ready by tomorrow morning?”

“Are you serious?”

Nicholas watched the odd pair as both nodded and said nothing. He scratched his head a moment, then moved his fingers to the back of his neck and eventually the bottom of his chin, scratching all the while.

“Even if I could, I’m not certain it would be worth it.”

“How much?” Max asked again, leaning against the counter and making sure both of his massive hands were visible to the armorer.

“Eight silver!” Nicholas replied, his voice cracking as he spoke.

“I’ll give you ten if it's ready by tomorrow,” Max said, pulling out a pouch and opening it. He then carefully poured the ten coins he had put in it out on the counter.

A cough came from Nicholas as the man’s fingers rubbed together and started to reach out for the coins.

“I said tomorrow,” Max declared as he quickly scooped the coins into one of his hands and poured them back into the pouch. “If it isn’t ready by tomorrow morning, I won’t give you a single coin.”

Nicholas’s eyes followed the pouch as Max put it back into the pocket he had procured it from. Licking his lips, he nodded.

“Deal. I’ll need to measure her real quick, and then you two will need to go! I’ll be up all night working on this! No sleep at all.”

Snorting, Max rolled his eyes and motioned with his hand for Grace to move closer. “Somehow, I doubt you’ll have any problems sleeping after you get paid.

Ignoring the insult, Nicholas retrieved a piece of chalk from a pocket in the vest he wore and picked up one of the leather jerkins. Moving around the counter, he held it out for Grace, motioning for her to put it on.

“You sure that was worth it?” Grace asked as they walked down the street back toward their part of the city.

“You need armor. We will get you armor and make sure you complete the task. After that, we can worry about getting you something better.”

Max’s statement sounded right. She just needed armor.

“Maybe just a bracer would have been enough,” she replied, winking as Max groaned at her response.

“Don’t do that. Do not attempt to accomplish the least of a task, or the results will not go well. Trust me.”

The tone in his voice told Grace that he was speaking from experience. Even when she had asked questions about his friend as they walked toward this area of town, Max refused to answer any more questions. Now wasn’t the time, and he wouldn’t say when it would be either.

They walked a few more blocks in silence, both aware of the change in the city as they moved from one side that thrived to a section of burnt husks for homes.

Grace knew what she wanted to ask and was nervous.

“Spit it out,” Max said as they walked, never stopping the constant scanning of the streets and houses as they walked.

“What?”

“Whatever is on your mind,” he replied. “It’s obvious something in that small head of yours is bugging you to get out. It affects how you walk and glance at me.”

Unable to hold back, Grace sighed before growling slightly.

“I need to ask you to do something. You’re the only one I trust and also the only one I believe can pull it off.”

Max raised an eyebrow as he glanced down at Grace for a moment. “You’re not asking me to run off with your brother, are you?”

“Hell no,” she said with a laugh. “I have no doubts you suck at parenting and couldn’t trust you to raise him right.”

“I’ll have you know I wou–”

Grace's laughter stopped his tirade about his ability to do such a thing when he realized she had been joking.

“Well, what is it then?”

Reaching into a hidden pocket within the inside of her pants, Grace fished out the gold coin she had acquired that morning. Eating well had resulted in a much more frequent bowel movement, and the coin had come faster than she had expected.

“I need you to buy some stuff with this,” she said, holding the coin out in her palm.

Max tripped, his eyes seeing the coin in her hand. He quickly caught himself, reaching out for her hand and closing it.

“Put that away,” he hissed, glancing around and making sure no one was anywhere in sight of them. “That will get us both killed!”

“No one’s around,” Grace said. “We both know that. Now take it and listen.”

Max snorted, stymied by how she talked to him. So much had changed in a week. Grace always had a tongue that could get her in trouble, but now she was different in so many ways. She wasn’t timid at all, especially when talking to him.

“Fine, but do it quickly, and tell me how you got this and what you want from it.”

After slipping it into his hand, Grace felt a bit of tension ease from her shoulders. Carrying that had weighed her down, knowing if people found out she had that, Levi could be in danger.

“I need you to buy some stuff for our people. Get some materials, fix up the house, buy some food, maybe a new stove or two for everyone to use. And a new door! One that isn’t rotted and will actually keep someone out if they kick it.”

“What? That door is perfectly fi–” Max saw Grace’s smirk and stopped himself. “Ok, so it isn’t the greatest, but still, you do realize this is way beyond all that. I mean, maybe only a third.”

Shrugging, Grace kept walking, letting Max keep up with her. “I want food for everyone, not just our own house, but give some to the other people. Tell them whatever you want. Blame it on me. I don’t care; just find a way. Throw a party at the well.”

Max found himself nodding as he scratched his chin.

“A party… it’s been a while since I think anyone has celebrated like that.”

“Do it then. Also, get a few chickens if you can. We could get eggs and have a regular source of trade and food.” Grace stopped, spinning quickly and holding up a hand to stop Max. “Toys and games for the kids. They need something to play with that isn’t just a rock and a stick. Maybe a book or two. Something everyone can use. That belongs to the well. Heck, you could get a few new cards and dice for the adults, too.”

Turning back around, Grace started walking again, causing Max to quickly move again to stay near her.

“And lastly, get Levi a few new clothes. Some boots as well.”

“What about you?” Max asked. “What do you need from this?”

“Nothing,” she replied as she shook her head. “I have plenty. I know you are aware of what I bring back for Levi and me. We both know you knew when I did it before you offered us free rent.”

Max chuckled, nodding even though Grace wasn’t looking back at him.

“I guess I should thank you for killing Bones and Scarlett?”

It was Grace’s turn to miss a step.