Page 15 of Of Daggers and Deceit

His lip quirked, a single dimple now exposed on his cheek. I’d never truly looked for too long at him, with my attention usually on Zander or on the other citizens of this city, concerned about how they would perceive me.

But Sly was both off-putting and alluring. How could I not have noticed him when his eyes and hair reflected mine in colour, though his skin was far more tanned, his cheeks higher and sharper? He was startling in both appearance and personality, no doubt a hit amongst the Omegas of this city.

I blinked back into focus as his dimple deepened when he spied me watching him with curiosity.

“Consider this my gift to you. You should ask to spend time in the rose garden tomorrow. I usually guard a certain section of it. Find me and see what I can offer you.”

I looked over at him, my confusion seeping through my features, though his body language and face seemed sincere with his soft expression. He prompted again as he so clearly read what I wasn’t verbalising.

I don’t know if I can trust you.

“Please. Take the leap. I promise it will be worth your while.”

I warred internally, ruminating on the practicalities of the situation and trying to get the time to myself, away from Zander’s need to keep me in sight when he was around.

Above all, though, I had to remind myself. I had a goal to focus on. I had a vision of a better life for my family and possibly for the residents of the Outer Ring. I just needed to be more cunning.

Tonight, I was weak, falling into the same trap under Zander’s distractions and praise, which left me wanting to do more for this city but not giving me the power to action it.

But was this a test of my loyalty?

I didn’t know, but I would give him a test of my own to find out. I wasn’t as stupid as he perceived me to be. I straightened my shoulders and lifted my head high. “Tomorrow, then.”

His turquoise-blue eyes seemed to move like water as his lips finally lifted to a captivating smile, his pupils dilating with my answer as he raked his gaze across my skin, igniting it.

It seemed he was as curious of me as I was of him, and only time would tell if I could trust him or not.

RAYA

Harsh breaths blew out of me as I pumped my arms in time with my strides, determined to complete my run quicker than my previous time.

I’d had to leave early this morning, not long after Bodhi left for the compound for training, to avoid the bustling people of the Outer Ring as they worked.

The early morning was crisp today, my face burning from the prick of the cool air against my skin as I rounded the last corner and prepared for the dreaded last leg of my run. The shortest leg where I would pass the two prisoners of the Haven. It was the most exposed area of the entire Outer Ring. My steps faltered as she came into view, still kneeling, still with her head held high. My anger rose.

Today would be the day for bravery, and it was up to me to ensure she got out.

With the shield thinning so soon, I no longer had a choice, and now would be the perfect time to act with so few people about, only the guards remaining.

Bodhi also wasn’t around to stop me.

I sprinted forward, determined now as I passed quiet, sand-covered houses, the only sound being my shoes scraping against the pathway. Not that it would last long. It was why I had to be swift. Every Alpha would rouse if they heard any commotion.

Heads swivelled my way as I drew near, two guards for either criminal and the two guards just beyond the gate in the hedge dividing the city’s two residential rings. They bristled in response to my steely gaze, their hand drawing across to their weapons. I knew how painful they were, and I’d only been touched by it once, by accident.

I stopped myself just short of them, leaving a few feet between us as I addressed the same guard from two days ago, the one who had been somewhat kinder to me. However, even that rationale was laughable. They were never actually kind unless it served them.

“I will pay the punishment for her crime.”

The other guard beside him tipped his head in curiosity. Offerings like mine happened on occasion in the Haven, depending on the circumstances. None had been granted, but none were as stubborn as I could be.

“You know you cannot.”

I licked my lips, wetting them, my frustration and desperation evident.

“This city revers Omegas. She is one. Her sentence will be longer than two weeks because she will be taken.”

My mother’s head lifted towards me, her eyes narrowing threateningly.

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