Disclaimer: see chapter one
A/N: I just wanted to thank Tris the weatherwitch, Nie Starwhistle, Natsumi Firewind, Tomato Pirate, Psycholioness13, KJ Step, and Lionel-Skyre. Thanks for reviewing!
Chapter 4
Kodi was exhausted when she finally stumbled back to her home in Deadman's District, though home wasn't the best word for where she lived. Her hideout had once been a huge tenet house, but a long ago fire had ravaged the building, leaving only the precarious wooden beams of the first two floors standing. Now the building was home to most of Hajra's street kids, and had earned a new nickname- the Rat's Nest.
Decrepit though it was, the Rat's Nest was home, the safest home Kodi had ever known, except for when the Watch's slaving gangs made a sweep. Nobody bothered her as long as she kept her head down and stayed in her corner. It was also good protection from the Thief Lord's goons. She would be impossible to locate in the crush of people.
Now Kodi was glad to be here, because her den-though noisy- was a good place to think. She wasn't sure how she felt about this new twist in her life. On one hand, she loved learning magic. She had been able to break four more wards of increasingly higher power. The effort had left her weaker than a baby, but the feeling of power had made it worth it. Also, after the meal she had, Kodi felt full for the first time in years.
On the other hand, Kodi wasn't in the habit of trusting people. Briar seemed alright, but what about the Niko person he had mentioned? Shaking her head, she hid her stolen bundle under the rag she used for a pillow and lay down to catch some winks.
Suddenly Kodi felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned quickly, but relaxed when she saw Colt's familiar freckly face. At fifteen, Colt was a year older and a foot taller than Kodi. His long, gangly limbs had earned him his title, as well as his wild bravery and fighting. Colt had been Kodi's friend since her six year old self had given him some bread when he was new to Deadman's District. Their friendship had stayed intact even after Colt had joined the Thorns, one of the Thief Lord's gangs.
"Guess what?" he asked, blue eyes dancing wickedly as he grabbed her hand in a street rat's clasp.
"No guessing games, Colt," she replied with a yawn. "I'm too tired." She lay her head back down on her rag pillow.
Colt dragged her up again. "This ain't a game," he retorted. "I want to show you something important."
"Alright," Kodi sighed dramatically.
"Good." Kodi barely had time to tuck her bundle into her sash before Colt led he rout of the Rat's Nest.
As they traveled through the winding streets that made up Deadman's District, Kodi was careful to keep to the shadows. She didn't want to run into any of the Thief Lord's kids. He probably hadn't told a lot of people- it had to be embarrassing to have a teenaged girl break in- but Kodi wanted to stay on the safe side. Colt just assumed it was Kodi's usual gang phobia and humored her.
They were almost off tin alley when Kodi realized where they were headed. She stopped in her tracks. "No," she whispered. "No, no, no."
Colt rolled his eyes. "Quit yattering."
"I'm not going to the Thorn's hideout," she replied stubbornly.
Colt sighed wearily. "No one's going to be there. They're all fighting the Flamers. I'm going to be in for it when they get back."
Feeling mollified, Kodi walked the rest of the way without protest.
The Thorn's hideout had once been a small cottage, but that was so long ago that few people knew that. Even fewer people knew about the secret entrance leading inside. The building was overgrown with sharp, vicious thorns that were considered impenetrable. Colt and Kodi knew better.
Now they backed away twenty paces from the building until they found a rock that was a slightly different color than the others. Colt pulled up on it and a large circle of ground came free, leading to a dark earthen chamber below. With the ease of long practice, Colt swung through the hole. Kodi, eyes scrunched up tightly, followed.