by Sarah Noffke
Azure realized what he meant immediately. Getting into the city was one thing, but to escape after stealing a book, they’d have to climb this long ladder back to the cave mouth. Talk about being a sitting duck for capture! Even though she was Queen of Virgo, she wouldn’t be pardoned for stealing from a protected city.
Relief flooded Azure’s chest when her boot hit the firm ground. She backed away, making space for Ever to disembark from the stone ladder.
“We came a long way,” he said breathlessly, staring up at the ledge several hundred feet above them.
“And we have quite a way to go.” Azure turned and stared at the city center far in the distance. The library would no doubt be close to the middle of the city.
The pair glanced at the animals in the pastures around them. They resembled goats, cows, and horses, but there was something off about them. Azure tried not to stare, afraid that they’d charge her. Ever seemed to agree, and intently kept his focus on the path under their feet.
After a few minutes they reached a cobblestone walkway that led to the city. When she looked up, Azure noticed wereanimals in the distance. Some stood outside their cottages, beating dust out of rugs or collecting firewood from the sides of the houses. Azure saw the clothed furry bodies, long snouts, and sharp teeth of the surrounding citizens. She kept her eyes forward, trying to go unnoticed as they bustled along.
In a yard in front of a cottage, two children were playing with a ball. They threw it back and forth, their bushy fox tails flying in the wind as they ran and caught the ball in their mouths. However, they moved like people, homo erectus. They were human, and yet animal. They were both at once, not wholly one or the other that switched between forms, as she’d expected.
“They’re so strange,” Azure said, her voice barely audible.
“Now we understand why they live underground and are afraid of prejudice,” Ever said, his voice just loud enough for Azure to hear it.
The smells and sounds of the bustling city grew stronger, and Azure soon saw the low wall that surrounded the outskirts of the city. She held her breath as they came to an archway where a weretiger leaned against the brick wall smoking a pipe. Azure and Ever brushed past the tiger, who was dressed in a ragged t-shirt and frayed jeans. The tiger growled as they passed him.
“What’s under the hood, Little Miss Riding Hood?” the weretiger called to them, making Azure freeze.
She kept her back to the weretiger, aware that she’d held her breath. “I’m…” Her voice trailed away as she caught Ever’s eyes. His face was mostly covered by the hood of his robes, but she could make out his gaze. It was intently directed at an open-air market ahead. Stalls stood side by side, circling the city. The cluster of dealers with their tapestries and racks of clothes would make a good place for them to hide. Azure gave him a curt nod.
“You’re what exactly?” the weretiger said. “Because you smell like a witch.”
Azure could take down her hood and announce who she was, but it was too early for that. She needed to get closer to the city center. Drawing attention now might reveal Ever’s disguise. Besides, she didn’t like the tone in this weretiger’s voice.
“I’m…” Azure couldn’t come up with a believable enough lie.
“She’s wearing one of my new essential oils,” a voice said beside Azure. She felt a hand grab her forearm, nails piercing through her robes into her skin.
Azure sucked in a breath and looked down into the bright green eyes of a werecat. They were human eyes like hers, surrounded by the hairy face of a cat. She was gray-and-white-striped, and wore a long black toga over her body. Her pointy ears were pierced by silver rings.
“Yes, dear. I apologize, but that scent doesn’t mix with your chemistry. Come along to my stall with your companion. I’ll make you a new batch,” the werecat said, her eyes encouraging. She stood a foot shorter than Azure, but had a bold confidence that made her appear larger.
“Laurel, what are you doing?” the weretiger asked, his voice hot.
The werecat flipped her head around and hissed. “I’m helping one of my patrons. You know as well as Lorde that I’m losing business, just like most of the other vendors in the market. Why don’t you leave me be so I can ensure my customer goes away happy?”
“Lorde will hear about this,” the weretiger said, his tone punishing.
“I’m sure he will.” The werecat whirled away, her claws still in Azure’s arm. “Come along, Miss.”
Azure, with zero choice in the matter, followed the werecat. Ever gave her a look of reassurance as his blue eyes studied the wereanimal.
“Where are you taking me?” Azure dared to ask the werecat.
“Shush now, witch. You aren’t safe here.” The werecat dragged Azure through the market, where normal-looking people stood selling and buying various items alongside wereanimals of every species. They sped down rug-lined aisles, ignoring the calls of vendors offering samples of lotions, soaps, breads, and fruits. “My booth is just up here.”
Azure nodded as the werecat’s claws retracted and released her. Continuing to follow her, they entered a stall where low tables were covered with squat bottles marked with different emotions. “Happy,” “Inspired,” and “Energized.”
The werecat pulled open a drape at the back and ushered Azure and Ever through to a small closet enclosed by more cloth. The voices and smells of the market trespassed easily into the space.
“Who are you, and what are you doing here?” the werecat asked, turning and pressing her back to the opening they’d just came through.
“I’m Queen Azure of Virgo. I’m allowed into the kingdom of Lancothy. And this is—”
“Yes, technically you’re allowed here and should be protected. However, we’re having a revolution. It isn’t safe for you here right now. You must leave immediately,” the werecat told her, drawing her paw to her mouth and biting at her claws.
“Wait! A revolution? What’s happening?” Azure slid her eyes to the right, giving Ever a curious glance.
“Our current government is being overthrown by Lorde and his gang.” She dropped her paw, frustrated. “Neither is correct. The government is meek and only wants us to live safely inside this mountain. However, Lorde is seeking to overthrow them and wants to battle anyone who isn’t a wereanimal. Whereas the current government is afraid of prejudice, Lorde wants to fight it.”
“But the treaty!” Azure said. “He can’t.”
The werecat nodded, seeming to understand, but the pained look on her face said it didn’t matter. “I’m Laurel, and I sell essential oils in the city of Lancothy.”
“Thank you for rescuing us back there,” Azure said and held out a hand to Ever, who lowered his hood. “This is my friend, who is not a wereanimal either.”
Laurel drew in a gasp, shock making her eyes widen. “Not a wereanimal? I never would have guessed. You smell authentic to me.”
Ever turned and winked at Azure. “Looks like I still got it.” He looked back at Laurel and bowed. “Ever, at your service.”
If the werecat could have blushed, she probably would have. Instead, she batted her long eyelashes. Regaining her composure, she cleared her throat. “What are you two doing here? If Lorde or one of his cronies catches you, you’ll be dead.”
“Laurel, we need to get into your library. There’s a book we need to…borrow,” Azure said, choosing her last word carefully.
“I knew there was a reason I was late to the market today,” Laurel said, a small smile on her cat face.
“Does that mean you’ll help us?” Azure asked, aware that a great disturbance was happening in the market outside.
“Yes, of course I’ll help. I know our library well, having spent every spare second there. What book are you looking for?”
Azure chanced a glance at Ever. There was something too easy about this. Seeming to read her hesitation he stepped forward. “Why are you so willing to help us, Laurel?”
“Because, well, if I don’t then
you’ll be murdered. And also because, unlike those in my city, I don’t believe that witches, Light Elves, or humans are inherently bad. I think that if we’re given half a chance, we might all get along. Embrace our differences.”
“You know what species we are?” Ever asked, intrigued.
“Yes, I can smell it on Queen Azure, and as a cat I can see past the glamour the witch did on you,” she said.
To this Ever turned and pursed his lips at Azure. “Told you I should have been the one who fixed my ears.”
“We need to move now or risk being found,” Laurel said, cutting in. “We can get to the library, but stay close. Hopefully we’ll arrive there in one piece.”
Laurel went to the fabric wall on the far side of the closet stall and gathered the hem at the bottom in her hand. She turned her cat face up and stared at Azure and Ever. “Each vendor has a private area like this at the back of their stall. They are connected and divided by cloth. We’re going to squeeze through until we are in the city center. Then we will run like hell. Got it?”
Azure and Ever nodded.
“Okay, hoods up. And if you see a large werebear you should run for your life, but it’ll probably be too late,” Laurel said, yanking the fabric up and dashing underneath.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Azure ducked under the fabric, with Ever just behind her. Each stall had differently patterned fabric sectioning it off, as well as strange smells and noises. At least a few were occupied.
“Excuse me! Coming through,” Laurel called, sprinting to the other side of the closet space, pushing around the vendors enjoying croissants on a break or taking a nap in a chair.
Azure offered an apologetic smile when a werelion or weresnake pivoted its head to watch her trespass across their stall.
There were sounds of a growing disturbance in the market. Azure pretended that the yelling and sounds of booths being destroyed had nothing to do with her, but she knew that was a futile attempt at innocence.
“We’re coming to the end of the market,” Laurel said over her shoulder.
Azure swallowed and tried to imagine what dashing through the open paths of the city would feel like. Maybe she should throw off her hood and declare she was the queen of Virgo, visiting to ensure that order was being maintained. However, based on what Laurel had told her, she didn’t think that the intimidation would matter much to this Lorde guy.
The light from the city shone through the last curtained wall. Laurel held it up and Azure and Ever crouched to slide under it, then straightened as Laurel joined them. They sprinted along a busy path, trying hard to slide around wereanimals of all types. Twice Azure turned back in the thick of the crowd to find Ever not there. Each time he appeared a moment later with a look of relief under his hood. Azure grabbed his hand the last time, pulling him in close to ensure they didn’t lose each other. They squeezed through the crowd toward a set of shops that were a stark contrast to the market they’d just escaped through. The buildings had straight lines, real walls, and a starched appearance.
The look on Azure’s face must have spoken of her confusion.
“These are the government buildings. The market is owned by the people, and is left to our design. The government takes care of everything else: laws, mail, banking, and the library.” Laurel pointed to a large building in the center that rose higher than all the rest, although it was quite skinny in comparison. “That’s the library. Come on, we can slip in through the back.”
The werecat grabbed Azure’s arm and pulled her with impressive strength through the narrow alleyways between the stone buildings. It was more claustrophobic in the clean alleys than it had been in the back closets of the open-air market for some reason, but soon they came to a set of steps that led down into the basement of a building. Laurel ran down and stuck her claw into the lock of the door, jiggling it back and forth until a click greeted their ears.
Ever still held Azure by the hand, and he pulled her through the door Laurel opened for them. The hallway was dark, but there was light at the far end. They sprinted after the werecat over slick floors, which were a strange contrast to all the places they’d been recently.
“What book is it that you seek?” Laurel asked as they ran.
“The Book of Branches,” Ever answered, his tone sharp.
When they reached a set of stairs, Laurel turned and stared at the two. “Our library, I suspect, isn’t what you’re accustomed to.”
“Why would you say that?” Azure asked.
“Because I’ve read every book in it, and many detail how other libraries operate. My people have cut themselves off from others for too long. We do things…” Laurel trailed off, a new pain in her eyes.
“What is it? What are you not saying?” Azure asked.
“We do things wrong, Queen Azure.” Laurel turned and looked at the dark stairwell at her back. “However, I know exactly where the book you seek is, so follow me.”
Azure nodded and turned to Ever, who looked more than cautious. They bounded up the staircase, which brought them into the narrow five-story-tall library. The walls were lined with shelves filled with books. However, the one thing the incredible library lacked was stairs leading to the books above the first level. There was only a single ladder on wheels that sat against one wall.
“There’s one ladder to get to all these books?” Azure asked in disbelief.
“Most here don’t read,” Laurel said, shaking her head with disappointment. Her eyes were aimed at the top of the library. “I’ll be right back. I know exactly where it is.”
“Wait,” Azure said in a hushed voice. “You’re leaving us down here?”
Laurel had grabbed the ladder and wheeled it to the shelves on the left side of the building. “Yes, but I’ll be back soon,” she said as she climbed up the ladder, her eyes pinned to the top.
Azure turned to Ever. “Why do you have that stressed look on your face?”
“Because I can hear someone very large coming,” he said, turning and facing the main entrance, which was just past the basement stairwell they’d entered the library from.
Azure lifted her head. Laurel was quickly climbing the ladder, her chin held high. She was near the third level now.
The front door to the library blasted open and a giant wind hit Ever and Azure in the face.
“Sorry, Queen Azure, but you’ve got to go,” Ever said and reached out and pushed her hard toward the stairs that led to the basement. Azure stumbled forward and her foot caught on the first stair. She tumbled head over heels down the stairs, rolling until she hit the bottom.
Her back screamed at her and her head was bleeding again. Fuck, Ever! What the fuck was that deranged hybrid’s problem?
Azure rolled onto all fours and was about to scream up the stairs when a shadow cast her in darkness.
“Where is she?” a gravelly voice asked.
“You mean the intruder?” Ever’s voice rang down to where Azure was heaving rattled breaths. “I killed her.”
“Who are you?” someone said.
“I am Ever, a vampire who has come seeking your help.”
A deep laugh echoed from the main floor. “There are no more vampires. You’re crazy. What are you? I smell that you’re were. What animal are you?”
“I am not a were. I was once a bat, which is why you mistake my smell. I’m a vampire, and have come here to seek refuge with your people,” Ever said, his voice calm.
“You must know that we won’t help a vampire. You aren’t like us. You’re the worst version of us. And what you do destroys our reputation,” the voice boomed.
“That may be so, but I’m asking for your help. And in exchange for your cooperation, I’ll help you overthrow this government.”
A short silence followed was followed by a creaking so loud Azure heard it from the stairwell. She hurried up the stairs, keeping her body low.
“Who it that up on the ladder?” the deep voice asked.
Azure stared out to see Laurel
grab a large book from the fifth level of the shelves. With the book pressed to her chest, she hurried down the ladder.
“Laurel, what are you doing?” the voice asked, bounding forward.
Azure saw that the voice belonged to a huge bear who towered over Ever. The Light Elf had backed up and was using his arms as a shield. The bear leaned over Ever and hissed into his face.
“If you’re a vampire, then prove it! Show me what you’re capable of,” the bear named Lorde growled.
At the door Azure heard laughter. So they weren’t alone. Fucking awesome. She pulled her wand out and pointed at the bear. She’d only have one chance, and if she failed, then they all failed.
She threw her wand in the air and muttered, “Palice.”
A hundred bats flew down from the ceiling, covering the werebear’s face and circling his cronies by the door. Screaming followed the sound of bat wings. Azure heard footsteps and stood just in time to see Ever hurrying toward her with Laurel in tow. The gigantic bear, whose body was covered in armor, swung his huge paws around his head to knock away the bats. Soon he’d realize that they weren’t real.
“This way!” Laurel said, speeding down the stairs in the opposite direction of the alley entrance. The hallway was almost pitch-black here, but they followed, pressed close to each other. After they heard a latch click, a door swung open. Azure felt a hand pull her forward.
“We’re taking the underground passage. It will be safe for now, but real danger awaits us on the other end. I’m sorry, Queen Azure. This is the only way to get you out.” Laurel spoke into her ear from close by.
Azure tried to speak, but instead only nodded.
“I can see in the dark. Hold onto my hand, and the hand of your friend. We’ll make it through the tunnel and hope the sky isn’t bleeding when we surface,” Laurel said, closing the door behind them and taking her hand. Azure clamped onto Ever’s hand and turned to give him a reassuring look, but she couldn’t see a damn thing—she was blind down here. Thankfully they had a cat to lead them.