Page 58 of Of Daggers and Deceit

But I couldn’t back out now, not with the plan already in motion. Tonight, I was spurred on with a new need for collateral, mostly led by my fear of inaction.

We toed our way forward, my calves straining with each step we took over the shifting sand, a reminder of my need for training. I was not used to this kind of terrain anymore, and I worried for mine and Sly’s safety if we were attacked here. The air was even colder in the desert, with no shelter or structures to block the wind. I was glad I’d decided to wear a long sleeve top and pants, even though the freezing temperatures still penetrated through my clothing.

Sly stepped closer to me when a shiver wound its way up my body, his body rubbing alongside mine as we walked.

“Thank you,” I murmured with a glance, even though I couldn’t see him. It was a practised habit of politeness.

He leaned in closer and squeezed my hand in reassurance, that same energy he exuded bolstering and uplifting me. If someone like him believed in me, then surely, I could do this. After all, a leader must be brave.

We neared our targets, my shoes growing heavier from the sand that funnelled in between the cracks with every step. I could already feel specks of it rubbing between my toes, chafing them.

This had never been my favourite territory. There were some clear benefits to being Zander’s favoured, and one of those was definitely not having to suffer in this uncomfortable environment. I’d adjusted well to the privileges of the Inner Ring. I was desperate for others to experience even the most basic elements of the same.

When we were about thirty feet away from the two Dominants, we came to a slow stop.

One of the two eyed the area around us with a certain intensity, constantly assessing, as if aware of the threat before him. I quickly looked down at my hand to confirm I was, in fact, still invisible. His silver hair seemed to glow in the dark.

This must be Silver, the one they had spoken about at training. I was glad my attendance had come in handy.

The other tall, oversized Dominant with yellow eyes and pearly teeth watched him with interest, pulling out a knife and flicking it between his two hands. It was his eyes that told me who this one was. There was no mistaking this reptilian Dominant. Raid, they called him.

My hands shook lightly; they were an intimidating pair, far scarier than any Alpha I had ever seen walking around the Haven. Doubt crept in at the sight of them, but there was no turning back now, no other choice but to engage them, especially when they had what I needed.

I tampered down my nerves, which had begun to rise in their presence as I took a moment to prepare myself.

In my mind’s eye, I imagined myself as a queen to embody one.

“Don’t move,” I commanded, authority clear in my tone.

The knife landed in Raid’s palm, his grip tightening on the hilt in response to my voice. Two sets of piercing eyes landed on our location, pin-pointing the area my voice had floated from.

“How about you show yourself before you throw around weak commands,” Raid challenged, Silver’s gaze remaining cool and assessing. I noted they scarcely seemed concerned about my presence, Raid’s reply reinforcing the point. Something like irritation reared its head inside me, urging me to prove to them and myself that I was not weak.

“Not before you tell me where the Gifted female defence is?” I asked. I needed to ascertain Raya’s location to determine my next move.

There was no way they didn’t know who I was talking about, given the size and skills of the group that defended our city.

“Oh, you mean Raya?” Raid prodded with a humorous twinkle in his eyes.

I was glad I wasn’t visible now. I could easily hide the shock underlying my expression at his mention of her name. My jaw ticked in irritation. How the hell did he know her name?

“It’s all the same to me.” My response was sharp, and he smirked. He looked towards the cliffs for half a second, his face expressionless before pretending to ponder his answer.

I followed his gaze to the top, but I couldn’t see clearly in the dark. Raya’s sight was superior to mine; if she was up there, there was a chance she would still see me.

“She’s probably unconscious like the rest of them,” was all he said as he lifted a hand and picked his nails to spite me. I didn’t pay attention to his antagonising.

I began to gnaw at my lip worried now. Had they hurt her? I couldn’t derail from my plan. Do this now and find her after.

I squeezed twice to indicate that I was ready to show myself, and he immediately released his grip, allowing my body to come into their view. He knew to remain invisible.

Silver’s curiosity piqued the minute I was fully shown, and Raid’s eyebrows raised.

Raid laughed deeply. “Jakari will be disappointed he didn’t get to see you.” He held my gaze and lowered his voice with a slight dip of his head in mocking reverence. “Rose of the Haven.”

I suppose I should have expected him to know who I was, with my face plastered bedside Zander’s everywhere. I reminded myself that though I was associated with it, I would soon be associated with change.

I steeled my gaze, pinning my shoulders back, my chin lifted high.

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