Not innocent.
Hemlock.
One of the Knights’ signature methods of disposing of obstacles that threatened them in any way. If I hadn’t studied the symbol like a scripture, I might have missed the entire meaning. Might have thought they were just a pretty accent to an ominous symbol. But I knew better.
I’d made a deal with the devil. Stepped into their Eden willingly. And I promised to be the serpent in the garden.
Now the game had begun.
CHAPTER THREE
acelynn
Steam driftedfrom the coffee set before me, curling lazily into the stale air. The dark liquid resembled sludge more than anything drinkable, but that didn’t stop Parsons from knocking his back like it was a fine roast. Across the table, the low-rank rent-a-cop assigned to serve us smirked.
“See something you like?” I shot a glare up at the balding officer.
He grinned, flashing yellowed teeth as he reached for the necklace resting at my collarbone. It had been a gift from my brother on my eighth birthday. His grimy fingers brushed the charm, and I jerked away, but the cuffs locked me to the table.
“What’d you do to get yourself locked up in here, little Ace?” he asked, voice thick with a Southern drawl. His breath hit my cheek, hot and stale. He leaned in like he was admiring the spade charm, but we both knew he was trying to get a peek down my shirt.
I batted my lashes, voice dry. “A little bit of everything, judging by the charges.”
He let the necklace fall back into place and gave my chin a condescending tweak. I snapped at his retreating hand, teeth just missing skin.
Parsons chuckled under his breath. “I like that nickname. What do you think, Ace?”
“I think you should either tell me what you want or charge me already. It’s been a long night. I’d like to get some rest before I face a judge.” I watched the officer exit the room with a mocking wave before turning back to Parsons.
He let the silence linger, probably thinking it would rattle me. It didn’t. I’d learned long ago how to deal with men who thought power was a permanent thing…and how to turn their illusions upside down with a few calculated words.
My gaze drifted to Watson. He was hunched over a stack of papers, casually marking them with a pen every so often. He must’ve felt my eyes because he looked up. I smiled sweetly. “Or you could just tell me why I was brought in, Watson.”
“I…” Watson stammered, glancing helplessly at Parsons.
Parsons tilted his head, clearly weighing his next move. “Have you ever met Kaius Mordred?”
I frowned. “Maybe as a child, but I saw a lot of people pass through my father’s doors. They never paid me much attention.”
He studied me like a bug he was getting ready to squash. “So he wouldn’t remember you if he had seen you?”
“No, I doubt it. But he’d know my name if you gave it to him.”
“That can be changed,” Watson muttered, scribbling something on his papers.
I wrinkled my nose. “Change my name? Why bother if I’m going to prison?”
Parsons leaned back in his chair, arms folding across his chest. “Or you could work with us—help take down the Knights of Lovelen.”
I raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
“Become an informant,” he continued. “We’ll dismiss all charges. You get your revenge, and we get to clean up the streets of Lovelen.”
I leaned forward, letting my elbows rest on the cold metal table. “What’s the catch?”
“No catch,” Parsons said, lifting his hands in mock innocence. “Bring down the Knights, and you walk.”
“And if I don’t agree to this suicide mission?”
