House Party

[Nesrin Aziz]

Wicked made them a surprisingly clear path out, which was an unexpected boon but undeniably a useful one. Nesrin was more accustomed to shadows than people parting to make room, and she noticed he played a little with whatever was keeping people at a distance. She didn’t hate it. Outside he lingered on the doorstep, and her eyes were bright and amused for how tight she’d apparently made the knot. So he was one of Nox’s friends. Somewhere like Almaz would eat this one alive. She didn’t rate his chances back inside, should things go south.

The keys were still hidden in her hand. Possibly a problem, but one it was too late to rectify now. She considered Wicked anew in that light, but it was cold out here, and she didn’t want his company while she worked through her options. By his conflicted glances back, the hold of her power wouldn’t sway that far even if she’d desired it. He cared about what happened in there.

Behind the mask her eyes ran him up and down curiously, head half-tilted, and she lifted her free hand to sign thank you as she stepped backwards. Then she peeled off her name sticker and slipped away.

[[continued at Keys to the Kingdom]]