She glances at me once more, her gaze fierce. I force myself to look away, terrified that Marik will notice my interest in her and send her to the dungeons to spite me.
“Next,” he calls to the guard.
Another deer hybrid walks into the room, her blue eyes instantly finding Marik. You’d have to be blind to miss the anger brimming in them.
Marik sits up straighter and leans forward on the throne. Fuck.
She bows respectfully, then waits for us to speak first.
“State your name,” Marik says.
“Eliza Rainey, Your Highness.” Another liar. Unlike the last female, her voice is confident, her chin held high.
“State your occupation.”
“Teacher.” Lie.
I watch her carefully, but there are no outward signs of deception. No fidgeting, no avoiding eye contact. In fact, her gaze hasn’t left Marik’s. She seems at ease.
“What age do you teach, Miss Rainey?” Marik asks her. Double fuck. The last time he asked follow-up questions, he sent that little girl to the dungeons.
Eliza doesn’t miss a beat. “Young children, Your Highness,” she says, a hint of a smile on her face as she tells the lie.
“And does teaching pay well, Miss Rainey?” Marik asks, slender fingers drumming on the armrest of the throne.
“No, Your Highness.” She pulls out a coin purse, two gold coins glinting in the palm of her hand. Her first truth, albeit an easy one to get around.
Marik stops drumming his fingers. He places both elbows on the armrests and brings his hands together, bridging his fingers. He rests his chin on steepled hands and leans forward. “Are you aware of the penalties for an inadequate contribution?”
She doesn’t back down. Not even by an inch. “No, Your Highness.” Truth.
“Well, it’s not so bad. You get to sleep here for a night or two!” he exclaims, a cruel grin splitting his face.
Eliza still doesn’t look nervous.Who is she?
“I don’t th—” I start to say before my jaw slams shut.
You’re right. You don’t think,Marik’s voice spits into my thoughts.
“How about this, Eliza,” Marik says, “since you think we don’t pay you enough, I’ll let you keep your coins.”
“Th—thank you, Your Grace,” she stutters, the first and only outward sign of her nerves.
Marik extends his hand and motions with it. I know that terrible wave of his hand. My heart drops when I see the two guards coming from behind her. Their hands close around her slender arms. She jumps at the contact, fear now in her expression. Her crazed eyes go to me in a silent plea.
But there’s nothing I can do. I’m a prisoner, too.
She protests as they drag her from the throne room.
Eliza Rainey is the tenth person that Marik has sent to the dungeons today.
Chapter 7
MAE
I knowsomething’s wrong when I see the hybrid couple walk down the path before Asmo. He should have come out before them. He should be here by now.
“Let’s go,” Luca says, turning in the direction of the portal location.
