To its side, closest to me, stood an angel I didn’t recognize from my time living here or doing my intel runs. He was tall and imposing, much like his draconic companion, but juxtaposed his beast with his darker complexion and golden eyes. I could hear the faint sound of wind rustling through the dragon's wings. Its steady breathing also added to the eerie atmosphere that settled over us.
Forcing myself to take steady, deep breaths to keep my heart rate even, I held the angel’s eyes. There was no doubt I was being summed up, and I refused to show any fear to either of them, despite currently wanting to piss myself. There were very few things I feared in Alfemir, but dragons were at the top of that very short list.
A short, sharp whistle sounded, and suddenly Jaeger’s snout was pressed against my body, gusts of his breath covering me. The air carried the scent of smoke and ash, hinting at the fire within the dragon's belly. I blinked rapidly, fighting the urge to take a few steps back as the beast’s thin lips pulled back, revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth that ran the length of my entire upper body. One little chomp and I’d be a midnight snack for him.
“How have you found your night of patrolling, Sentry?” the angel mused, cocking his head to the side as his dimples flashed.
His tone told me everything I needed to know in that moment, and I unclenched my ass at figuring him out. He was a typical Cavalry member, abusing his power and lording his beast in everyone’s face to prove his authority. He didn’t suspect me of shit.
Keeping my tone light, I scoffed, hoping I’d nail the slight arrogance that ran through every army member, no matter theirstatus. “The usual, Sir. Uneventful and leaving me thrilled to return to my wife’s thighs in a few minutes.”
Kieran flashed through my mind. Her golden skin laid bare before me as her back arched with my fist wrapped in the hair at the base of her head. My wife…I liked the sound of that.
Focus.
Silence ensued for a brief moment before Jaeger retreated at the sound of another whistle followed by laughter from the angel. He crossed the distance between us, clapping me on the shoulder in a manner that was far harder than needed. His fingers dug into my skin as he squeezed. “Enjoy your night, Cadiman,” he mused, dropping his nose to be in line with mine, “but remember, you have the honor of serving the most important post of Alfemir. It’d be a shame to think it was ever…deserted.”
Instantly, I wanted to bark out a laugh. So hedidsuspect something, but it was Cadiman's monthly dalliances, not me being an imposter. Shit, I’d probably saved the fucker’s ass tonight while doing his job for him.You’re welcome, buddy. That’s payment for using your image.
With a sharp nod, I agreed. “Absolutely, Sir. I’d never disgrace my post.”
He didn’t bother with any goodbyes, simply turning over his shoulder and mounting Jaeger before the beast launched into the sky. Part of the wall crumbled behind him.
Relief crashed through me in unrelenting waves. The exact reason I’d chosen this fucker’s image and position was almost the same reason for my undoing, which was a perfect example of why I needed to be successful tonight. I couldn’t come back again, and I was our only hope for retrieving the book and dagger from the archives of the library.
The bell for shift change sounded, and I didn’t hesitate to let my wings out as I jumped down from the forty-foot wall,allowing them to float me above the looming ground before tucking them away again swiftly. I couldn’t go back to the tower, but since no one patrolled the walls while focusing on shift change, this was the best moment to move on with the plan. The lack ofanypatrol during shift change was just another glaring issue in the security of the realm, but hey, it wasn’t my job—that was Kieran’s dad, and for the record, he fucking sucked at it.
Increasing my speed to ensure I got ahead of the real Cadiman, I headed down the winding path toward the castle. Quickly, the white marble walls of the castle engulfed me as I passed through the sentries’ assigned door in the back. This route was used to cross through and get back down to their barracks surrounding the castle.
I whistled a soft tune that was a lullaby from my youth, waving and nodding at citizens heading home as well as other army members standing guard or passing by. Taking a sharp turn to the library on the first floor, I slipped through the doors and took a deep breath as I surveyed the hundreds of aisles that stood before me in all of their glory.
Finally.The real part of my mission could begin and would be much less eventful,hopefully. I was going to get the hell out of here with my items and never shift again. At least with the Rebellion I didn’t need to hide who I was.
The air in the old library was filled with the musty scent of aged paper and worn leather bindings. I couldn’t help but run my hands along some of the pristine bookshelves that exuded a scent of fresh ink as I walked through the aisles, creating a unique aroma that could only be found in this magical place. The smell of knowledge and history lingered on every page, reminding visitors of the many stories and secrets that were waiting to be discovered. That’s exactly what I needed to do here—discover the secrets our predecessors made sure were buried.
Noah assured me of the exact path I needed to take, having been a Text Keeper here until he was thrown out for questioning a text he found while transcribing. How an entire realm could erase its supposed previous history without the common people knowing was beyond me. I was still a bit skeptical about the tales he wove, but the Rebellion believed in it enough to send me, and that was all I needed. While I’d always known our home held dangerous people and beasts, the deadliest of them all was the knowledge they suppressed out of fear for what was to come—if what Noah claimed was in the book was correct.
But fear couldn’t stop it from happening. Only we could.
The further I passed through the empty library, the more nervous energy pulsated through me. The mixture of adrenaline and fear was heady, so much so that I barely heard her whispered words.
“Back for more?”
No.It couldn’t be.
Stopping in my tracks, I craned my neck toward the scattered oak tables. The soft, warm glow of the desk lamp illuminated her face as she stared up at me with just as much shock as I felt.
“Motherfucker,” I hissed as my eyes slammed shut.
Kieran.
“I’m not a mother, nor am I a mother fucker,” she quipped back, forcing my eyes to open as her hazel ones narrowed.
I was so fucked.
KIERAN
“Icould have sworn I told you that this couldn’t happen again,” I mused, casually inspecting my nails as if his presence didn’t rattle me.
