Page 15 of Heir of Illusion

Kaldar’s body is rigid as he storms out the door, sending me a dark glare before exiting. I pop a blueberry in my mouth to stop the amusement threating to show on my face.

“You know he resents when you reprimand him in front of me?” I remind the king, always trying to drive a wedge between the two of them. The Fates know Kaldar is trying to do the same to me.

“He has a propensity for arrogance,” Baylor says, spearing a potato wedge on his fork and lifting it to his mouth. “He needs to be reminded of his place every now and then.”

I raise a brow. “Not letting him get ideas above his station?”

“Exactly.” Baylor throws me a conspiratorial glance.

“Vicious, my king.”

“And you’re not?” He leans across the table, getting closer to me. “Tell me, what would you do with this so-called angel if you found him? Would mywraithshow mercy?”

“Never.” I promise him, telling the truth for once. “For the guilty, I will deliver only death.”

Chapter

Four

Foot traffic is heavy in the Midgarden district this morning, making it almost impossible to walk down the street as awraith. After being bumped so many times I nearly fell into the path of an oncoming carriage, I was forced to become visible, relying on only a hooded cloak for disguise. Thankfully, my conspicuous attire won’t attract much attention from the crowd. With dark clouds settling overhead, almost everyone is bundled up as we prepare for yet another dreary day.

“What’s the rush, my lady?” a seductive voice croons as a pale hand reaches from my peripheral, attempting to grab my arm.

Before he can make contact, my own hand darts out, snagging his wrist in an iron grip. I push him backward, sending him stumbling into the brick wall of the shop behind him. Pedestrians scurry past us, only a few of them sneaking wary glances in our direction. No one intervenes. If Solmarian’s excel at one thing, it’s minding their own business.

The man raises his hands in a placating gesture, offering me a sheepish grin. He’s attractive in an artistic way, with high cheekbones and a nose so thin and straight that I’m sure one sharp hit would shatter it completely. My fist curls in anticipation.

“I was simply going to invite you inside.” He gestures to the building behind him. “Don’t you wish to see whatever your heart desires?”

A frisson of unease unfurls within me as I notice the blacked out windows that reveal nothing about the business within. There’s no sign hanging above the door, but based on what he asked me, it doesn’t take a genius to guess what he’s selling.

“Careful where you put your hands,mendax,” I warn him.

Mendaxare the most common type ofIllusionists. While most of them are only capable of creating simple illusions, some have the ability to fabricate large-scale mirages that can leave you questioning reality. For a steep price, they’ll let you spend an hour living out your wildest fantasies, all within the safety of your own mind.

It’s bold of him to openly proposition people on the street. While it’s not technically illegal for amendaxto sell their services, they are prohibited from soliciting. Given the controversial nature of their talents, their customers must seek them out of their own free will. If the city guards catch him trying to lure pedestrians into his shop, they won’t hesitate to arrest him.

“Come now, lovely lady.” His eyes gleam as they stare into mine, as if he’s trying to peer inside my soul. “Surely you desire something…” He trails off, taking a step closer as his gaze turns heated. “Orsomeone?”

Before I can respond, a mortal man stumbles out of the shop, his face ashen. His horrified eyes settle on themendaxas he shuffles toward him.

“You have to send me back,” he demands, pointing at theIllusionistbeside me.

“Now, Mr. Saunders.” Themendaxtsks, forgetting about me as he prowls toward his victim. “I don’thaveto do anything.”

The man’s face crumbles as tears stream down his cheeks. He doesn’t even glance in my direction, as if the rest of the world is irrelevant to him now.

“Please,” he begs, his voice full of anguish. “Send me back to my little girl. I was just with her, holding her in my arms again. She was healthy andalive.” His voice cracks. “I have to go back to her.”

Themendaxwraps his arms around the man’s shoulders, pulling him to his side.

“And you will, Mr. Saunders. First we need to settle the matter of payment. I gave you a discount the first time, but now I’m afraid you’ll have to pay full price.”

“I’ll pay!” The man nods frantically as he digs into his pockets to pull out a few measly coins. “I’ll give you anything you want if you’ll send me back to my baby.”

A sickening smile curls themendax’slips. “That’s what I love to hear.”

He leads the man back through the door, glancing back at me once more before they disappear into the dim shop.

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