42 Chapter 42: Beauty and a Brute (1/2)

ELINA: I never understood why humans form cities. Maybe they like it. Maybe they think there is strength in numbers. Makes them feel safe.

But it's all the same to me. With a snap of my fingers, and...

Boooom~ Heh-heh~

Maybe I should show that to Salem. What I can really do. See what he thinks.

But I suppose Salem likes this place. His mood seems to have brighten as we came closer to the city.

Larose.

He pulled on the reins. To slow the horse down. Because there was another traveler in front of us. And another traveler in front of that traveler.

A long line of carts and travelers stretched until the city walls. Horses, men and women, children, all sorts of livestock. Nobody was moving forward. Some have set up tables to share a meal with new friends. Some of the children ran around, playing, screaming.

Salem talked to some of the other travelers. Seems like there is a slowdown at the city gates. Something about the mayor of the city ordering searchers on every cart that enters.

Nobody knows why.

He came back and sat down next to me.

He said, ”Pull the hood over your head.”

I looked at him. He looked at me.

”Pull the hood over your head, please.”

”Why?”

”People are looking at you.”

”Why?”

He said nothing.

”Is it because I am too beautiful?”

”...”

”Or is it because they are wondering what a beauty like me is doing with a brute like you?”

”It's better not to attract too much attention.”

Something in his voice. A look on his face. No humor. But some kind of suspicion. Instinct at work.

I said, ”Fine.”

I pulled the hood over my head and changed my eyes and hair to hazelnut. Darker colors attract less attention.

He said, ”So what did you want to ask me.”

”What is it like to grow up with a little sister?” I asked.

”Why do you want to know?”

”Because I do.”

He breathed in. He breathed out.

He said, ”It's a long story.”

”It's a long line.”

He looked ahead. A long trail of humanity.

He let out a deep breath.