“So what’s a demon doing wearing suppressor cuffs?”

The guards had decided to stop at a tavern for dinner, drinks, and information. Apparently this town had some members of the Darkness in it. From what Luca had heard, the guards were trying to find out who before they began making accusations.

He eyed the young human man from behind his drink– watered wine, barely wine at all. “Why does it matter to you?”

“Call me curious.” The man slid onto the seat opposite Luca, plunking a plate of some rich-smelling food onto the table along with a mug. “And you’re traveling with Lightguards, but you don’t seem to be a prisoner. Is that just for appearances?”

“Hm?” Luca glanced over at the bar, where the guards were sitting and chatting none too quietly with a couple other people– a vampire and a human, he was pretty sure. “What do you mean?”

The stranger pushed the plate towards Luca. “Try one, they’re good.”

“What is it?”

“Samosa. I made these ones.” The stranger’s smile was so bright Luca found himself reaching for one of the pastries without looking away.

It was a little too spicy, but so good Luca couldn’t care. “Wow…”

“I know, right? My dad’s recipe is the best. I’m Amron, by the way.”

Luca nodded in greeting. “Luca. Do you work here?”

“Only sometimes. And you, you never answered my question.”

Luca glanced at the bar again. “Why do you care why I’m wearing suppressors?”

“Aren’t I allowed to be curious about something that almost never happens?”

He was being awfully pushy. Why? If it were just curiosity, why wouldn't he ask the guards?

Luca looked at the guards one more time. They were all laughing over something one of them had said. He turned back to Amron and leaned over the table. “Are you a shadow?”

Amron pulled back and gave an uneasy laugh. “What kind of question is that? Of course not.”

“Oh.” He'd guessed wrong. Luca's heart lurched. If Amron told the guards–

“Will you be staying long?”

Luca started. “Er– I don't know. It depends on what they want.”

Amron nodded and moved to stand. His gaze lingered on Luca's face, fingers resting on the table, as if he were reluctant to go.

On impulse, Luca reached out and touched his hand. “Wait. It's because I asked to come with them.”

Amron's gaze fell to the cuffs. “They took your magic… because you wanted to join them? That's strange.” 

“Because they didn't trust me.”

“Why not? You're a demon, you talk like a nobleman, you wanted to join them.” Amron sounded genuinely puzzled.

Luca closed his eyes briefly. “It's a long story. But I need to find the Darkness, and this was the best way.”

Amron flicked a finger against one of the cuffs. “Yeah. I can tell. Getting your magic bound is definitely helping.” He shifted his weight to one foot, studying Luca, who resisted the urge to squirm under the scrutiny. Finally, he said, “There's an orc at the bookstore next door, Janna. Tell her everything. And tell her I sent you.”

“Thank you,” Luca murmured. “If there's anything I can do for you…”

“Buy me a drink when you get back?” Amron suggested. 

With what money? Well, maybe he could figure something out… Coaxing something out of Bella, maybe? Luca smiled, nodded, and left.

“Hi, welcome to Story Spark! Just so you know, we’re closing up pretty soon. Need help with anything?”

Luca looked over at the desk. The speaker was a dragon boy with emerald green horns and wings. “...I was told to come find Janna?” Something, somewhere in the shop fell, making him jump. 

“Don't mind that, it's just the ghost,” the boy said, leaning on the counter. “She'll be back in a few. Can I take a message?”

Ghost? But he hasn't got necromancer brands. Luca shifted from one foot to the other. Why was the boy so flippant about it? “Oh– I'll just wait, if you don't mind. Do you happen to have a copy of Shadow Beyond Light, by Declan Brume?”

The boy tipped his head. “‘M not sure… We used to, but someone asked for it last week and Katie couldn't… hold on.” He disappeared among the shelves, wings tucked close.

Luca leaned on the wall awkwardly.

The bell on the door dinged and Luca turned to see an orc with short brown hair enter. 

“Pardon me, are you Janna?” he asked.

The orc nodded. “I am. And you are?”

“Luca,” Luca said.

“Found it!” The boy burst from the shelves. “Hey, Janna. See, I told you the ghost likes me! Katie said she was looking for this all day the other day.”

“What?”

“Ali thinks we have a ghost,” Janna said, fully serious, “because sometimes books disappear and no one can find them except him.”

“Ghostie likes me,” Ali agreed.

Luca's brow furrowed. “Necromancy doesn't… work like that, last I checked. And it's illegal.” Was either of them somehow an unregistered necromancer? But why would they be so casual about it?

“Not necromancy,” Ali said firmly. “I know how necromancy works, and I don't have it. This is just the bookstore ghost.”

It wasn't as though Luca was going to report them.

“It likes to move books around when we're looking for them,” Ali added, “but it gives them back when I ask nicely. Anyway, here's your book. What did you need it for?” He held the book out to Luca.

“Just… need to check something. I can't buy it, unfortunately,” Luca said apologetically, turning towards Janna. “And, er– I met a boy named Amron at the tavern, he told me to come talk to you.”

Janna frowned. “Oh? About what?”

“I'm looking for the Darkness.”

Ali spun to the shelves, his wings opening halfway as he began busily tidying books.

Janna glanced at Luca's suppressor cuffs. “Mm. Why?”

Luca took a breath. Could he trust her? Could he trust Amron?

He didn't have much of a choice. Tell Janna, and either she'd tell him how to find the Darkness or she'd turn him in. If he didn't tell her, if he wasn't willing to take the risk, when would he ever find another chance? 

“A Lightguard killed my little sister,” he said softly. “I want revenge. And I have information they might be interested in.”