The street was quiet except for the uneven breathing of the three sprawled figures.
Kael reached up, pulled the mask free, and let the shadows dissolve. The cold edge in the air faded with them.
Recognition hit the three almost in unison.
The tall one's eyes widened.
The beast-man froze mid-growl.
The woman's stare locked on him like she was trying to solve a puzzle she really didn't want the answer to.
He didn't give them time to talk.
Snap.
They vanished into the dark, silent limbo of his storage space.
Kael exhaled and glanced toward the clocktower down the street.
Almost an hour. Brilliant. Exactly what you want on a first date , vanish without a word, keep her standing around, then waltz back in like nothing happened.
He set off toward the plaza, keeping his pace brisk but casual. Sprinting back would look suspicious.
The lanterns came into view first, warm light spilling over the edges of the plaza. The crowd had thinned but was still lively. The music had changed, a quicker rhythm now, and the smell in the air was different , fried dough and sugar instead of grilled skewers.
Liora was still at the honey cake stall, leaning one elbow on the counter. She had the relaxed posture of someone who wasn't in a rush, but her eyes flicked toward the crowd every so often. Waiting.
Kael slid into place beside her like nothing had happened. «Sorry. Long line.»
She glanced at the cup in his hand, then back at his face. «From a different stall than the one you went to?»
«The line was that bad,» he said, taking a sip.
Her brow went up. «I didn't realize lines worked in parallel universes.»
He held her gaze, then let the corner of his mouth tick upward. «Good drinks over there. You want to try?»
«I'm fine with my tea,» she said, though the teapot in front of her was probably stone cold by now. She pushed the paper tray with half a honey cake toward him. «Before it goes stale.»
Kael took a piece and bit into it. Sweet, a little sticky, but surprisingly good. «Not bad. You make these?»
«No,» she said. «But the woman who runs this stall used to work for my aunt, so it's close enough.»
He took another bite, chewing slowly. «So this is like… insider trade pastry?»
She shook her head, a small smile tugging at her mouth. «You have a strange way of putting things.»
«You should hear me when I'm tired.»
They moved away from the stall and began walking along the outer edge of the plaza. Performers juggled glowing sticks in the center, the light streaking through the air as the crowd clapped in rhythm.
Liora glanced sideways at him. «You were gone long enough for two songs and a full juggler routine.»
Kael swallowed another bite of cake. «Guess I owe you an encore.»
«Of what?»
«Don't know yet. I'll think of something.»
She gave him a look like she was debating whether to press the point, then just said, «You're not exactly predictable, are you?»
«Not really,» he admitted. «But I'm consistent about it.»
They stopped by a stall selling roasted nuts, the smell warm and earthy. Liora didn't buy any, just lingered for a moment, watching the vendor stir the pan. Then she started walking again, her hands tucked into her coat pockets.
«You don't seem like you're from here,» she said after a pause.
Kael's eyes scanned the street out of habit, noting the two open alleys, the slow-moving cart ahead. «That obvious?»
«Your accent gives you away,» she said. «And you don't look around the way locals do. You check people, not shops.»
Kael smirked faintly. «Old habit.»
«From?»
He shrugged. «Let's just say I've lived in places where you keep track of who's behind you.»
Her head tilted slightly. «Sounds like a story.»
«It's not that interesting.»
«That sounds like what people say when it's very interesting.»
«Or when they're bad at storytelling.»
She gave him a short, amused breath. «You're infuriating sometimes.»
«Thanks.»
«That wasn't a compliment.»
«Still taking it as one.»
They reached the fountain near the center of the plaza and sat on its edge. The stone was cool even through his coat. Liora leaned forward slightly, elbows on her knees, watching the last act , a musician playing a slow, steady tune on a strange stringed instrument Kael didn't recognize.
«You ever play anything?» she asked.
«Nope.»
«Not even a drum?»
«I hit a pan with a spoon once,» Kael said. «Didn't get a standing ovation.»
She rolled her eyes. «I was asking seriously.»
«That was serious. I'm not musically inclined.»
«You could learn.»
He shrugged. «Maybe. But I'd rather listen to other people who are already good at it.»
«Fair,» she said, and for a while they just sat in silence, letting the music fill the space between words.
When the performance ended, the crowd began to thin. Liora stood, and Kael followed as they drifted toward the quieter streets leading to her building. The sound of the plaza faded behind them, replaced by the softer hum of night , distant footsteps, the faint creak of shutters closing.
«You don't talk much about yourself,» she said after a while.
«I talk plenty,» Kael replied.
«Not about anything personal.»
«That's on purpose.»
«Why?»
«Because I like hearing other people talk more than hearing myself,» he said. «Easier to learn that way.»
She studied him for a moment, then gave a slow nod. «So what have you learned about me?»
«That you're careful about who you spend time with,» he said. «And you're good at pretending you're not watching people when you are.»
Her eyebrow went up. «Pretending?»
«Your eyes move before your head does. It's subtle, but I noticed.»
Liora didn't answer right away. Then she smiled , small, but not unfriendly. «Maybe I'll stop doing that.»
«Don't. It's a useful skill.»
They turned onto her street. The lanterns here were dimmer, casting long shadows across the cobblestones. She slowed in front of her door and faced him.
«Thanks for walking me back,» she said.
«You're welcome.»
«And for the honey cake.»
«Pretty sure that was your idea.»
«I'll let you take the credit.»
Kael let out a short breath that might have been a laugh. «Guess I should work on being less unpredictable if I want a second round of this.»
«Or you could stay unpredictable,» she said. «Might be more interesting.»
He gave a small nod. «I'll think about it.»
«Goodnight, Kael.»
«Night.»
She stepped inside, the door clicking shut behind her.
Kael stood there for a moment, hands in his pockets, the quiet of the street settling around him. Then he turned and started walking, his mind shifting from warm lamplight and honey cake to the three bodies sitting in his storage space.
Tomorrow, he'd deal with them.
Tonight, he'd take the small win.