Within These Wicked Walls(70)

“Did you hold on to the amulet you were constructing for the Evil Eye?”

He … completely ignored me. I sniffled, rage throbbing in my throat. “It’s in my bag.”

“You expect me to get up again? Let me see it.”

I pulled out the amulet, unfinished and blood smudged. Pathetic.

Jember took it from me. Flipped it over. Then he started miming the strokes in the air. “Wrong order,” he muttered, then continued. He ended with a long, thoughtful stare at it. “Not bad, girl,” he said, handing it back to me. “You were on the right track.”

“You changed the subject.”

“No, I didn’t. That conversation was finished.”

“I was just hoping that…” I picked at my nails. Why did I feel so nervous? So lost? “I don’t know. That maybe you loved me.”

We were quiet for a moment.

Jember pressed on his leg above his knee with a groan, massaging it with his fingers. “Most people start training in amulets when they’re sixteen. You ever wonder why you came to me so young?”

“You bought me from my birth parents.”

“Bought you? When have I ever paid for anything? No, I stole you from the ones who bought you.”

“Why?”

“Because your parents sold you to a brothel. And you were five.” He shrugged, as if he wanted to be done thinking about it. “Your affinity for amulet construction was just a bonus.”

He groaned again, and I saw him wince as he leaned heavily on the bed. I knelt to remove his leg so he wouldn’t have to ask.

“I thought empathy was a poor survival habit,” I said.

“It is. You’ve caused me a lot of trouble over the years.” There was a spark of humor in Jember’s eyes before he took his leg from me and tapped me on the head with the thicker wooden end. I was lucky it was his leg and not something he could afford to break, but still, I felt myself grinning. “You want a bed to sleep in, girl? Then shut up and mind your business.”



* * *



This had always been my side of the bed. Mostly because it was easier for Jember to get into bed on the side closest to the door, so he wouldn’t have to scoot across it or walk around. But tonight, I couldn’t sleep.

Tonight? No. It was morning, though the shut door blocked out all hints of light. Magnus was probably awake now, unaware of what he’d done last night, wondering where I was. Meanwhile, I was back in my childhood home. Hiding.

I rolled onto my side. Jember lay on his back, his breath slightly jagged, an unintentional groan every other exhale. I don’t think I’d ever noticed how much pain he was actually in. He’d always come home after I fell asleep, wake up before me. Or he’d be so drunk he’d just pass out. I felt ignorant for thinking all this time that he was just a heavy sleeper. That those pills were more of a necessity than an addiction.

I sighed, rolling onto my back again. I couldn’t believe I was lying here, wasting my time feeling sorry for myself, when the people who needed me most were waiting for me.

If I cleansed the castle, Magnus would never have to worry about avoiding people ever again. He could join me in town. Among people. Or anywhere we wanted, really.

Saba’s soul would be free. I would miss her, but it was selfish to keep her here to be tortured by the Evil Eye’s commands.

And—something I hadn’t thought of before now—I could afford the best doctors for Jember. Someone who could help him with his pain, maybe make him a better leg. Maybe then he wouldn’t be so cranky.

There was no doubt I had to go back. But, this time, I needed a better plan. One that wouldn’t get anyone hurt or killed. Kelela had meant well in volunteering, but when it came down to it she’d panicked. The target had to be someone who could stay levelheaded, preferably someone who had experienced the hyena before and knew what to expect …

I looked at Jember, but quickly disregarded the idea. He’d never agree to it. And, with his injury, he wasn’t fast enough to keep himself from being killed before I could finish the amulet.

But … I was.

I sat up quickly, my mind suddenly clear.

I was fast. I could keep my head in the midst of stress. Having experienced the hyena multiple times, I knew what to expect. And Jember was faster at constructing amulets than I was, anyway, so I wouldn’t need to keep the hyena busy for long.

I took a deep breath, hugging my knees and closing my eyes. “God,” I whispered, “please let this be the right choice.”

Now all I had to do was convince Jember to come back with me. Which was the most tedious part of the plan, if I was being honest.

“Jember,” I whispered. I don’t know why I didn’t just yell. I needed him awake.

I shook his shoulder, and he swatted at my hand lazily. “Why are you bothering me before noon?”

“I’m going back to the castle.” I kicked the blanket away and rolled out of bed. “Will you take me?”

“Are you crazy?”

“Probably.”

Jember leaned up on his elbows with a long groan. “No boy is worth killing yourself over.”

“You’re the one who said I was on the right track.” I threw my satchel across my shoulders, put on my amulet. “I have part of the amulet done, I just have to finish it. Even if it takes a few days—”