Chapter 21:
I Don’t Take Bull from Anyone, Not Even a Demon Lord
The sun stretched long across the cobblestone streets, golden and forgiving. The city stirred slowly as merchants rolled carts out, and town criers barked half-hearted headlines. Kai walked with steady purpose down the boulevard, the girls trailing behind him in unusually good spirits.
They had slept well. Their bodies rested, their bellies full. The house—their house—still didn’t feel real. For girls who’d never known a home, waking in beds with soft sheets and their own keys to a door felt like stepping into someone else’s life. A better one.
Skye had taken the room near the back, with the smallest window but the most sunlight. Fara had chosen the one closest to the main door, practical as always. Revoli picked hers based on the color of the wall—it wasn’t pink, but it was close enough. They each had a space to call theirs. That was new.
They laughed. Revoli jumped between Fara and Skye as they walked, pointing out birds and roof dogs, chatting about breakfast and how she’d never seen real silk curtains before.
“I think I dreamed about mine being pink,” she said.
“You probably drooled on them too,” Skye teased.
Fara chuckled, softer than the rest. “I heard Kai snore all night. Thought the troll came back.”
All three burst into giggles.
“Ladies.”
One word.
They froze in place.
Each tail dipped. Fara’s and Skye’s ears folded. Revoli hugged her arms close.
Kai turned, face unreadable. He reached into his coat and pulled out three small coin pouches, each tied tightly with a leather strap.
He handed one to each of them.
“This isn’t your pay,” he said. “This is from me. You can spend it how you want. Clothes. Food. Trinkets. Whatever you like.”
The pouches were heavier than they expected. Not a fortune, but not pocket change either.
He turned away quickly, rubbing the back of his head with one hand.
“Have… fun. Or… entertain yourselves. I mean…” He sighed. “Just go. I’ve got things to do.”
The girls stared down at the coins, then at each other.
Kai was already walking away.
“He’s so weird,” Revoli whispered, smiling.
“Yeah,” Skye agreed, softly. “But kind of sweet.”
Fara nodded once. “Come on. Let’s go make trouble.”
And with that, the three of them disappeared into the market crowd, laughter trailing behind them like ribbon on the wind.
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