The thrill of victory faded immediately.
He was marked. She couldn’t walk him through the city gates without revealing her identity—and her unsanctioned trip—to the guards. She needed a plan, and there was only one entrance to the tunnels outside the city walls.
A woman stepped in front of them, carrying a swaddled baby. “Please, miss. Anything would help my baby stay safe during Divorando.”
Alessa had no idea what money had to do with it, but she fumbled for her purse and dropped a few coins in the woman’s hand.
Her new bodyguard was scowling when she turned around. “You going to help them all, or just that one?”
Alessa looked back at the woman, already hurrying down the street as though she feared Alessa would change her mind. “What do you mean? Children are always allowed in the Fortezza.”
“And who’s going to take them in and care for them if their parents die?” His voice was cold, his eyes colder.
“I—I don’t know.”
“That’s why she’s begging. So she can pay someone to take the child before the battle, knowing they might be stuck with the kid for life.” The bite in his voice could have drawn blood. “Welcome to the real world, Finestra.”
“It’s not my fault. I don’t want anyone to be kept out of the Fortezza. I don’t make the rules, I just have to follow them.”
“Yeah, well, it’s a bit late to give a shit now.”
Like he was some noble advocate for the poor. “I thought Saverio could fall into the sea?”
His mouth pulled up in a bitter smile. “Let the whole island burn or give everyone the same chances, that’s all I’m saying.”
Alessa led the Wolf past the ramshackle dockside buildings and onto a narrow footpath leading into the damp darkness of an immense cavern used to shelter the fleet during storms.
A scratch, and the Wolf’s face was lit by the match he held up. “Walk faster.”
She picked up her pace, searching the gloom for the glint of a metal gate.
There was only one ship in the enormous cave, but soon others would arrive, packed with passengers and cargo from the continental settlements. The lower caverns would become crowded with wine barrels, seeds, fabric, food supplies, and farm animals, all the supplies they’d need to rebuild what would be lost. The hearty souls who chose to move to the continent between invasions would be welcomed with warm beds in Saverian guest rooms until it came time for everyone to barricade themselves within the Fortezza.
She’d never been to the continent, but the paintings made it seem harsh and strange, all barren plains and jagged mountains. It must be incredible to watch the new life bloom between attacks. She’d read a book once about the ways some animals hid during the rise of the swarms, but Mama had taken it away when she couldn’t stop crying about the creatures that didn’t survive.
“You tell your handlers you were going on a hiring spree tonight?” the Wolf drawled.
“No,” she said, even though it was none of his business. “I don’t need permission to hire a guard.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yes, really. Technically. I mean—” She steadied herself. “If anyone has a problem, I will take care of it.”
He made a skeptical sound.
She pushed her hood back. If they ran into guards in the tunnels, her face was their only protection against a swift and deadly punishment.
“Do you need medical attention?” she asked.
He gave her an irritated look. “No.”
Doubtful. But if men and wolves preferred to downplay their injuries, it was a waste of time to argue with either.
He moved so quietly he could have been hunting her. It made her want to run, like a scared rabbit.
Papa used to say fear began with the unknown, so maybe learning more about the man stalking behind her would quell the fear dancing over her skin.
“What’s your name?” she said.
“They call me the Wolf.”
“And they call me the Finestra, but it’s not my name.”
“I thought the Finestra didn’t have a name.”
“No, not until after Divorando, but at least you know what to call me. Shall I address you as The Wolf, then? Mr. Wolf? Or simply Wolf?”
She glanced over her shoulder and caught a glimmer of amusement in his eyes, quickly extinguished.
“Dante.”
“Do you have a last name?” She had to turn back so she didn’t run into a wall.
“Not anymore.”
“Well, nice to meet you, Dante.”