Chapter 95
at there, fingers absently picking at the gram in fennt of me, the sun warm on my hack, but the chill in my gut was anything bon. Thorne had be Craglen fortress again, this time to sort the mess the ropes had Ich behind
The rogue scum had wreaked havoc all over this region. Cates, mint, villages nothing had escaped their brutality Now, Thorne and the others had the
Cragen Fortress back. But what did that even mean? We were no closer to any answers, only to more questions.
I couldn’t shake the feeling gnawing at my insides—the tame uneate that had settled into me ever since thorne announced the plan to head to the Great Canyon Trouldn’t explain it, but something about that place felt like a death sentence
Maybe it was because the Rogue King had been hiding in the shadows for so long. We knew almost nothing about him, yet he knew everything about us.
Something wasn’t right
Tcouldn’t stop Thorne. He was right, after all–it was his responsibility to lead this alliance, to take us into the dark unknown. And yet, as much as he’d said it was the right thing to do, I couldn’t shake my fear,
i had to stand by him, I told myself. That’s all i could do. But deep down, I wasn’t sure how much longer I could keep pretending everything was fine.
A distraction was what I needed. That’s why I found myself back in the makeshift market, trying to busy my hands so they wouldn’t betray how unsettled my mind had become.
And that’s when I spotted her. Prisca,
She was picking through the grains beside me, her movements slow and deliberate.
“Hay,” I said, clearing my throat. “I know you’ve been around the rogue territories. Tell me about the Great Canyon and the Grace Ruin. Anything I should know?”
Prisca glanced up, her face light but guarded. “The Great Canyon? Yeah, I’ve been there. But it’s not a place for people like us.”
“Why’s that?” I asked, my curiosity piqued
She shited, stretching her back against the sun. “The Great Canyon’s a black market. For the rogues. It’s full of well, let’s just say it’s hell for anyone who isn’t one of them. But for the rogues? It’s heaven.”
My stomach twisted at the thought “Can we–people like us–blend in? Get through unnoticed?”
Prisca frowned, her eyes narrowing as if she were thinking of something for more dangerous than I could imagine. “Bad idea, Elara. If they spot you, they’ll skin you alive. But, I guess in theory, you could sneak in. But the Grace Ruin? That’s a whole other story”
“What do you mean?” Lasked, my voice tight.
Prisca’s face darkened. “They don’t let just anyone in there. You gotta prove you’re a ‘pure blood, a true rogue, before you even think about stepping foot in the Grace Ruin. And even if you make it in, pelting out? Well, that’s a death wish.”
I stared at the grains in my palm, a sick feeling poofing in my stomach. “And you know what this test involves?”
Prisca shook her head, her expression distant. “Thever bothered to take it. But I heard it’s brutal, it changes you.”
sighed deeply, the weight of her words settling heavy in my ch
“I wouldn’t think too hard about it, Elara.” Prisca’s voice was soft, almost reassuring “it’s not like you’re going there anytime soon.”
I couldn’t tell her what Thome had played. I didn’t want her worry
worrying, and I didn’t want to burden her with the weight of it. So, I simply nodded, forcing
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Chapter 95
a smile.
“Yeah, guess you’re right
We both returned to picking af the grains in silence, the sounds of the market around us doing little to ease the tension in my chest.
That was when Bex and Serena showed up, a welcome distraction.
Bes, now that he was free from his former duties as a Gamma, was back to helping wherever he could. Serena, too, had been granted her freedom and offered her help. Despite everything she had been through, it seemed like she was trying to find her place here, trying to be safe,
Prisca smiled and waved at them. “Bex, can you head to the warehouse? They’re short on hands. We need all the help we can get
Bex hesitated before looking over at Serena. “Are you okay on your own?” he asked, his voice filled with that familiar concem.
Serena gave him a smile, the kind that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I’ll be fine!
“Just don’t push yourself too hard, Dex warned, the edge of concern still in his voice. “Call me if you need anything”
Prisca smirked, raising an eyebrow at Box “She’s with us now, Bex. We’ve got this covered. Go on, duty calls.”
He sighed, giving Serena one last glanced before heading off. As soon as he was gone, Prisca turned her attention back to Serena
*So, can you handle some bookkeeping? Ever worked with numbers?”
Serena stiffened slightly, but nodded. The tension in her shoulders was unmistakable.
Prisca gave a reassuring grin. “Relax. No need to stress. I’ll ease you into it. It’s not so bad.”
She opened the door to their small office, where Miela was busy with receipts and account books.
“Serena, this is Miela, Miela, meet Serena. She’ll be helping you today
Micha
gave a wide, welcoming smile and waved Serena over. “Hey, nice to meet you Come on, sit. I’ll show you the ropes.”
Serena hesitated, but then, seeing Miela’s friendly demeanor, she sat down beside her.
“Wright,” Miela said, placing a pile of receipts in front of Serena. “This is what you need to do.”
Just then, I overheard a voice from outside the window. “Lance, what are you doing here?”
It was Elara. She was talking to a man. And the voice… I knew that voice.
I’d heard it before I’d heard it behind a curtain, at the Grace Ruin, when I begged the Rogue King to release my family.
it was his voice. The Rogue King’s voice.
my chest
Heapt to my feet, my heart pounding in my
Miela was startled by my movement. “Serena? What’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
I barely heard her. I needed to get to Elara. I nodded to warn her.
I dared toward the door, but Miela caught noe by the arm, stopping me.
“Wait–what’s going on? Why do you look like that?”
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Chapter 95
Miela’s voice scheurd. “Hey, slow down kay You can tell me entu
that my mind was, almady rat irit, my body trembling with
“sat down,” Miela urged gently
here light under our noses.
Serena. What’s going on?”
I wanted to tell her everything, but the words stuck in my throat feouldn’t flot yet.
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