Page 122 of Vicious Princess
There.
Not quite a lie, but not quite the truth either.
“That’s extremely unsettling, Phoenix,” Roman says, serious as ever. “Decarios are only supposed to be in the Order.”
“Well, where do you think Decarios who are rejected by the Order go?” I say, spreading my arms. “It’s not like the Order accepts everyone like the Royal Guard does in Wetra, because Decarios are so rare there. Decarios are plenty amongst the fae. Where wouldyougo, if you were rejected after everything they put you through, huh?”
Roman stares at me, silent.
If the Order of Ezkai doesn’t accept me… I may have to pivot and find a way to join Caligos.
I shake my head and push those thoughts aside.
“Anyway,” I say to Roman, “are you happy now?”
“Well, I definitely won’t sleep as well during the night now that I know the most dangerous criminal organization in our country has Decarios in their ranks. But I’ll live.”
“Better later than never, I guess. Roman, have you studied any of the history books that mention how Caligos was born?”
He shrugs. “There’s isn’t enough time to read all the books on every subject. I have to be selective with my time and attention.”
I snort. “Can’t argue with that. Can we continue now? We need to find outfits, and we don’t have much time.”
“Lead the way, princess,” Roman says, bowing at the waist.
With a sigh, I march forwards through the first door that has a tailor’s sign hanging above it.
CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT
With each step I take closer to that red door at the end of the alley, my heart beats harder against my ribs.
What if the bouncer at the door is the same fae who let me and Daegel in the other night? What if he recognizes my face?
Our cover will be blown, and whoever runs this place will be alerted about Ezkai presence.
Shit.
No, no, no.I try to soothe myself, taking a deep breath. These bouncers see so many faces every single damn day, they will definitely not remember me.
Sure as fuck is easy to remember a human in a place no humans should visit.
I still dip my chin lower and pull my hood tighter around my face when Roman raps his knuckles on the door. My heart is threatening to escape my chest while we wait for it to open. When it does and a different bouncer appears in front us, I want to kiss him from the relief and joy that soars through me like a dragon through clear skies.
The bouncer eyes us with narrowed eyes. “What business?”
Roman and I exchange a glance.Oh, shit.Daegel knocked in a weird pattern last time, which I completely forgot. What if we can’t get inside without a secret code word or something?
Roman flashes the fae a bright smile and pulls out a pouch heavy with frade from the pocket of his linen vest. He shakes it well so that the bouncer can hear just how much money he carries.
“We’re here to spend some easily stolen money, handsome,” he says.
Damn, he’s good.
The bouncer looks us up and down again, then extends a palm facing upwards to Roman. Without hesitation, Roman tosses a couple of frade, and the bouncer steps aside so we can enter.
“Put that thing away,” I whisper-yell at Roman as the two of us go through the dark corridor that leads to the main area. “You don’t want to draw unnecessary attention to yourself. Not here.”
Tsk-tsking, he shoves the money back into his pocket. “Relax, princess. We’re highly trained?—”
