The Underground Market was more alive than usual tonight. Flickering torches lined the narrow stone paths, casting long shadows over the labyrinthine alleys filled with merchants peddling everything from elixirs to enchanted trinkets. The air hummed with the smell of spices and damp earth, laced with a current of magical energy that Zia could practically taste.
She kept her hood pulled low, moving like a shadow through the crowd, her senses on high alert. The amulet she had stolen—and the spirit bound to it—seemed to pulse against her chest, like a heartbeat. Zia knew that her mission tonight was risky. Madame Seraphine's agents were known to patrol these corridors, especially with rumors that the amulet had gone missing. Yet, the risk was necessary. She had to secure supplies and information, and the market was the only place to find both.
"Don't look so tense," came a familiar voice beside her. Alaric appeared from behind a vendor's stall, his eyes glinting with amusement. "I thought a thief like you would be used to the crowd."
Zia didn't flinch. "Funny. I thought a thief like you would be better at staying out of sight."
Alaric smirked, falling into step beside her. "What's the fun in that? Besides, we're on the same side… for now."
She shot him a wary glance, but he just laughed, glancing around at the vendors and stalls, as if they were simply shopping. Alaric had that unnerving way of disarming everyone around him, always with a half-smile and a mocking twinkle in his eye. But Zia was determined not to let herself fall under his spell.
They wandered deeper into the maze-like market until they reached a stall where an old woman sold maps of the Sacred Forest of Elyndra. Zia leaned in, eyeing the parchment spread out before her.
"Here," Alaric whispered, pointing at a map. "These paths show the entry points Seraphine's people use. The forest may be ancient, but it has its secrets—and Seraphine guards them fiercely."
Zia felt a prickling of excitement. "This could lead us to her lair, to where she crafted the amulet."
"Precisely," Alaric replied, his eyes darkening. "And maybe to a way of unbinding it."
The thought of Leon flickered in her mind, his spirit tethered to the amulet, just as she was tethered to the dangerous path she'd chosen. She could almost feel him there, his presence like a whisper against her skin. Zia knew he was watching, listening, his consciousness bound to hers as long as she wore the amulet.
"Zia," his voice echoed softly in her mind, carrying an urgency that tugged at her heart.
She pulled away from the stall and continued, Alaric keeping pace. Leon's words resonated in her head, but she forced herself to focus. Her eyes scanned the crowd, looking for Madame Seraphine's spies or anyone who might recognize her.
"Careful," Alaric said in a low voice as they walked. "We have eyes on us."
Just then, a figure cloaked in black stepped into their path. The figure's face was hidden by a hood, but Zia could sense the dark magic radiating from them. A shiver ran down her spine as she recognized the aura.
"Madame Seraphine's agent," she whispered to Alaric, her hand slipping to her dagger.
The figure tilted their head, as if appraising them, before speaking in a voice that was cold and grating. "The Thief of Silver and Souls… and her accomplice. You have something that belongs to Madame Seraphine."
Zia's heart pounded, but she held her ground. "Tell Seraphine she'll have to come for it herself if she wants it."
The agent's laugh was as chilling as the midnight air. "Oh, she will. And when she does, you'll regret ever crossing her."
Zia met the figure's gaze, her voice steady. "I'm not afraid of her. Or her lackeys."
The agent took a step closer, but Alaric moved to intercept, his expression cold and unyielding. "Careful," he warned. "The Thief of Silver and Souls isn't alone."
For a tense moment, no one moved. The market's hum had faded, and all that remained was the weight of their standoff. Finally, the agent scoffed, melting back into the crowd with a parting sneer. "You've been warned."
When the figure was gone, Zia exhaled, releasing the tension that had coiled in her chest. Alaric's gaze softened slightly, his smirk returning.
"You're brave," he said, sounding almost impressed. "But bravery alone won't keep you safe from Seraphine."
She looked away, focusing on the amulet's faint pulse. "I know. That's why I have a plan."
Alaric raised an eyebrow. "Care to share?"
"Only if you're willing to follow my lead," she replied, meeting his gaze with defiance.
He chuckled. "Always, Zia. Just don't expect me to make it easy."
As they walked away from the market, Zia felt a familiar sensation—a tug at her thoughts, a warm presence beside her.
Leon's voice resonated softly, almost tenderly. "Be careful, Zia. This path is dangerous, and Seraphine… she won't hesitate to destroy you."
A strange ache blossomed in her chest, the thought of Leon's spirit trapped, unable to walk this path with her. She swallowed, hardening herself against the emotions bubbling up. Her fingers brushed against the amulet, feeling its cool surface against her skin.
"I won't let her destroy me," she whispered. "Not when I have something worth fighting for."