Dionne introduced some of the women she knew from her last stint inside, and they all seemed friendly enough, especially the blind nineteen-year-old witch, Elbar, who assured Scarlenshe needed no help navigating her way around the prison. There was only one group of women, sporting anchor tattoos on their left hands, whose stares caused Scarlen’s nerves to rattle a little.
‘Are the Pirate whores watching you?’ asked Elbar, her cloud-white eyes holding a slight shimmer as she turned her head their way.
‘Don’t antagonise them, Elbar,’ warned Dionne.
Elbar raised her long brown stick an inch from the ground. ‘Their head girl, Kylar, hid this from me once, knowing full well it aids me in here. So, I don’t care about antagonising them at all. They’re lucky I have Rings.’
Scarlen glanced at the Rings on Elbar’s wrists, hanging loose, but not loose enough to slip off. ‘Do you know a lot of magick?’
Elbar’s smile held a mixture of mischief and charm. ‘My crime is illegal magick. My grandmother taught me well enough. I’d show you if I weren’t shackled. And I’d happily demonstrate on the Pirates, especially Kylar.’
The Pirates were whispering among themselves while looking over, and by the way they were protectively surrounding the tall one with yellow spiky hair, Scarlen figured her for their head girl.
‘Come on, let’s put our nightclothes away and go eat.’ It was as though Dionne could feel the tension looming as she hurried everyone away, and Scarlen was happy to leave, especially as her stomach had started to rumble.
The canteen wasn’tas noisy as expected, as the guards patrolling the area made sure order was maintained, and most inmates were focused on breakfast, the scent of the food encouraging them to step into line.
Scarlen stayed quiet as she picked up a tray and joined the queue, bracing herself for any sudden attack, as paranoia hadwell and truly kicked in that her truth had already been revealed. At this stage, she wouldn’t put anything past her father. She could hear his voice in her head after he had starved her for three days as a form of punishment for running away the first time.‘This is for your own good. It will strengthen you.’
‘It’s okay, fledgling,’ came a delicate voice from behind, taking Scarlen from her thoughts. ‘It stops feeling intimidating after a week.’
Scarlen turned to see tawny eyes and a long pink plait belonging to a small-framed woman. ‘Thanks,’ was all she could think to say, unsure if friendliness was on offer.
‘I’m Wynter.’
‘Scarlen.’
Facing the entrance, Wynter gestured to the tables on the right. ‘When you get your food, always sit that side. That’s the Green side.’
It was then Scarlen noticed how empty the seating was on the left. ‘Who sits there?’Please don’t say Amber.
‘Amber.’
And on cue, in they strolled, small groups, freshly showered, and quietly talking among themselves.
Scarlen faced the inmate serving breakfast and asked for porridge, hoping to avoid one Amber in particular, as she was certain he had hatred in his eyes when he’d looked at her last night.
‘Ooh, good morning to you too.’ A hushed giggle left Wynter, causing Scarlen to turn.
If she thought Bear was gorgeous, the muscular man leaning over Wynter was a god. It took seconds to register his white-blond hair, golden eyes, and warmth to his light-brown skin.
Whoa!
‘This is my fiancé, Raven,’ Wynter introduced. ‘Fledgling, Scarlen.’
Raven glanced at her tray. ‘Porridge. Good choice for the silent system. Keeps you full and awake.’ His voice was soft, but something in his gaze said he wasn’t.
She’d forgotten about the silent system, and she still had no idea what it was, but at least now she knew she’d made the right choice for breakfast.
‘How about you fuck off,’ said a man wearing amber passing Wynter, taking Scarlen by surprise. ‘She’s no northerner.’
‘Some of us talk to everyone, as we’re not all assholes, Judd,’ snapped Wynter.
His deep-set brown eyes flashed straight at Raven. ‘No, but youaredemons.’
Scarlen knew that to be a slur word for shapeshifter, and by the look on Raven’s face, so did he.
‘Problem, lads?’ A guard approached, cropped blond hair, right ear missing, name badge reading Mr Lackly, his hand tightening on his baton.
