Several hours pass before I rise from the uncomfortable chair, my aching stomach driving me to move. A small part of me wants to explore the city, but I’m afraid I might enjoy it. I refuse to enjoy or appreciate anything about Greed. These people bow to the queen who ripped apart my family, and I hate them for it. I should burn them.
I’m not sure how I’d go about burning down an entire kingdom, but I’m resourceful. I’ve also got the power of the Wrath kingdom behind me.
Still, I can’t ignore my need for food.
The market is bustling with energy, demons rushing to complete their evening errands. The clothing style here is different, and I don’t like it. Everybody is dressed in formal attire, treating their clothing and jewelry as a way to showcase their wealth. They’re living up to their kingdom’s name.
The people in Wrath are nothing like this. We don’t care about such trivial things. Inside Wrath, titles and wealth don’t mean much. Everything is about power, whether you have it or not. You can be born into a wealthy, titled family, but if you’re weak, you’re nothing.
Aziel’s best general was born to a whore and a foot soldier, and nobody cares. Raum is powerful, and that’s enough to earn him respect.
I should’ve known things would be different here.
I drag my fingers through my hair, tugging the strands in a nervous gesture I’ve recently picked up. It’s hard not to stare at the castle. It’s all I want to do, but I’m sure the guards are trained to notice people who show too much interest. All it takes is one guard to realize I don’t belong here.
I wonder if the man from earlier can get me inside. It’s a dangerous thought, one I probably shouldn’t indulge.
But he was attracted to me. I know I entranced him, and it’s obvious he was interested in talking with me. I’m not against using that to my benefit. If I can build a connection with him, maybe he’ll spill some helpful information.
Maybe he’ll bring me inside.
I’m willing to lie, cheat, steal, and fuck my way into Mammon’s life.
The familiar tingling of wrath bubbles up inside me, but the sludge does an excellent job of keeping it muted. I’ll never admit this out loud, but I kind of like it. It’s nice not to be constantly overcome with emotion. I feel good without my anger, which is wrong.I am Wrath. I should hate being without it.
The smell of roasting meat fills my nose as I head to the restaurant below the inn. I haven’t had a proper meal in days, and I’m paying dearly for it. My hands are beginning to shake, and my head is fuzzy.
I’m already weak, and I don’t need to make things harder for myself.
My thoughts continue to travel to the man as I step inside the restaurant. The place isn’t a restaurant as much as it is a café, but it has outdoor seating that directly overlooks the front gates of the royal estate. I take a seat outside, pleased with the view. This is ideal.
By the time I’ve finished eating and returned to my room, I’ve decided to seek the man out. It’s risky, but I believe in myself. He’s a good lead, and he practically fell into my lap. It would be foolish not to see where it goes, and I’ll forever regret it if I don’t try.
He could be my in.
Chapter Nine
CASSIA
I FALL ASLEEP to the thought of Wrath’s lava pits and my sister’s annoying stare, and I wake with a pulsing headache. This is my first time sleeping with the sludge in my system, and it’s safe to say my body isn’t happy with me.
I’m ready to go home, but I refuse to let the pain ruin my carefully crafted plans. I haven’t invested this much time and energy just to throw my plans aside at the first bit of physical discomfort.
I groan, my head pounding as I climb out of bed and dig through my suitcase for my most expensive clothing. It’s how Greeds dress, and I need to blend in. For once, Valeria’s involvement has come in handy. She replaced several of the items I packed with higher-end pieces. It annoyed me at the time, but now I’m grateful for her intrusion.
I eventually slip into a curve-hugging, red silk dress. I prefer black, but Valeria has never respected my preferences. It’s elegant, though, and I pair it with the jewelry Valeria also packed for me. I fit in, and I feel confident in my budding plan as I head to the restaurant downstairs.
I wish I’d gotten the man from yesterday’s name, but it didn’t occur to me that I’d need it. I never fathomed he’d end ourconversation by marching through the royal gates and entering one of Mammon’s carriages.
I so desperately want to know who was in there with him.
I’ll find out soon enough.
It can’t be too hard to find him again. He has an ego—it was practically oozing off him—and he’ll want to run into me again. I didn’t fawn over his very existence, and that just won’t sit right with him. He’ll seek me out.
Mammon’s castle is as sprawling and intimidating as it was yesterday, and I just barely resist the urge to scoff as I peer up at it. It’s disgusting. Mammon, and everything she owns, is vile.
Large guards patrol the area, their expressions somber as they complete a shift change with practiced ease. They’re experienced, and they take their jobs seriously. It’s weird.
