Page 59 of Of Daggers and Deceit

“I’m glad you know who I am. You have something I want.”

“Is that so?” he said. “What could we possibly have that interests you, Rose?”

I let his sarcasm go unnoticed. “I have a memory from a book I had when I was younger, of a crystal that could siphon power and restore it.”

I promised to never tell a soul I still had this book, gifted to me by my mother, containing much wisdom within its pages. The same one still sitting in that vent. A family heirloom, she had called it.

Both male’s eyes lit up with curiosity. It wasn’t common knowledge, but I didn’t dare discuss the specifics of the book’s contents.

Raid smiled. “Why would you need such a rare item? And how, might I add, do you know of such a crystal?”

I twirled my ring around, looking towards the tall ivory tower looming in the distance. The building itself was a chamber of secrets. I just needed to siphon whatever powered its electrical system that prevented me from accessing that door.

The Dominants before me didn’t deserve any answers, not with the trade I was going to offer them.

“That’s not for you to know, Dominant.” My eyes held his, knowing I’d have to make it worth his while for him to aid me.

“But I’d like to strike a deal.”

He rolled his plump lips into his mouth. I knew they didn’t have ethics, but I was educated enough on what I needed to confidently make this deal, and with Sly’s help, execute it.

“Oh?” he said as he crossed his arms behind his back. “And what do we get in return for giving you something so rare?”

I swallowed the lump in my throat. There was only one thing they would ever want.

I opened my mouth, but the words could barely come out. “I will give you a single Omega.”

Raid laughed as Silver tipped his head, his lip quirking up.

“One Omega for a rare crystal? I think you can do better than that, Rose.”

I bristled at his mocking tone, my expression tightening. “What do you want, then, Dominant?”

“Two.” There was no ifs, buts, or room for rebuttal.

I paused and inhaled a long breath. Could I do this? Two to save the many?

Or perhaps I could find a way around their deal. Agree now and get out of it later.

They watched me intently, Raid quirking his eyebrow, awaiting my answer.

“Two then,” I agreed, and he nodded his head, acknowledging a deal done. I felt sick.

“It was a truly a pleasure, Rose. We expect the deal to be met at the time of the final thinning,” he replied before turning around and beginning his languid walk back to the barrier alongside Silver, who hadn’t spoken though obediently followed.

My gaze lifted to the cliff face where Raid had looked after I’d asked of Raya, deciding there was no chance I was leaving here without confirming she was alright.

I shuddered the moment Sly’s hand slid into mine again and his magic rippled across my skin, shielding us again from the world.

Either way, there would be a price for my action or inaction. Two Omegas, or the potential to change an entire community’s lives. My stomach rolled.

There was always an impossible choice to be made, and it was now up to me to decide which path I would take.

RAYA

“Raya, wake up.”

I turned away from the sound with a groan, afraid to open my eyes as I slowly came to the awareness of hands on my face and the absence of pressure on my chest.

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