Page 37 of Secrets of the Six

I give the prince my undivided attention, purging thoughts of retribution for the time being. "And what exactly do you need me for?"

"For the reasons Doña Otero explained before," he says. "We need you to be Elena Lozano and woo a nobleman's heart. But not just anyone. Severo Murrieta's son, Rogelio."

I remember from the files targeting the Master of Justice's son for an easy mark, but my sights were focused on Rafael Canoso, believing a Don to be worth my time and effort. But the Murrieta boy is still of value, even if he doesn't yet have the title his father has.

I snatch the mug, bringing it to my lips, and blow the steam from the top. "And once I have his heart, then what?"

"We use him for information and access to his father's files," Remus inserts himself into the conversation. "I am unable to get close enough because Severo and I have a history. We don't exactly see eye-to-eye."

"I couldn't possibly imagine why," I drawl. "You have such excellent bedside manners."

Olli snickers but quickly beats a fist to his chest pretending to cough.

Remus lifts one brow. "Severo Murrieta and I don't get along as councilmen or otherwise. He'll have eyes on me at all times in meetings and festive gatherings. Cassius can't be seen period. Carmen and Shaw are our eyes and ears at the bar, where most of the elite will go to unwind and let their guards down. Which leaves Olli."

At the mention of his name, the redhead straightens in his chair.

"Olli is a chameleon. He does a lot of odd jobs when needed. He used to help run his mother's shop in the Market District. She is the one responsible for our tattoos." Cassius explains quickly, which piques my interest.

"What tattoos?"

"Our wings – "

Remus tsks, silencing the words Cassius is freely spewing.

"Hey!" I point a finger at Remus. "If I am to be a part of this group, I want to know everything. Not just what you think I should be permitted to know. Tell me about the tattoos."

Remus and I stare at one another, neither of us budging. Finally, Remus huffs, "The reason we survived the Mass Execution, the reason our wings are hidden, is because of Pillar Ollivander's alchemy. She infused a magical property designed to camouflage our wings into black ink tattooed our backs. We can retract them when we want."

"You all have these tattoos?" I ask, watching as Remus, Cassius, and Shaw all nod their heads in confirmation.

"Not everyone," Olli says sadly. "I'm only Half-Wing."

"But" – I eye Cassius – "you're Half-Venturan. Do you have wings?"

"I do, but – "

"Not all Half-Venturans have wings," Olli interrupts as if to defend himself. "My mother is an Orlencian and my father was Venturan, but I have no true trace of the Wings."

"You have their blood," Carmen interjects like a proud mama. "That's what matters."

But from his expression alone, I know Olli doesn't believe that. The wings are important to him, and he lacks them. A piece of his story tugs at my heart and I don't like the sentimental sensation.

"We will regroup in a week after the first ball to check in," Remus scoots off the counter and drops to his feet. "As of now, you know your assignments. I need to get Ines home before the staff realizes she's missing."

"I'm not going anywhere with you," I snarl and my shoulders tense.

"I'm the only one who can escort you," he quips. "And I'll be able to protect you if we run into any unsavory characters past curfew."

"The only unsavory character I see is you," I cross my hands over my chest, digging my preverbal heels into the ground. "And if you value your life, you won't press your luck being alone with me."

Challenge flares in his eyes. "Is that a threat?" He takes a thundering step forward spurring me to shoot to my feet and slam my hands on the table.

"It certainly wasn't a compliment."

"Well," Cassius whistles lowly before motioning for everyone to leave. "Good luck getting back to Otero's."

Carmen walks over to me and squeezes my hand before wrapping her arms around me. My first instinct is to push her off of me, but her familiar scent of lavender soothes me and reminds me of our friendship. It was us against the world, until it wasn't. I don't blame her. How could I after everything she has been through? One of these days, when I have the chance, I'll slay every man who laid one unwanted finger on her.