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“Identification.”

Ravi dug deep into his pockets before handing over the piece of paper. When the guard was satisfied, he looked to Magda.

“Name.”

“She’s not on the list,” Ravi intervened quickly. “She’s my investor, and she doesn’t like nosy officers poking around in her business.”

The guard nodded. “Seeing how significant of a sum you put down, we’d be happy to accommodate you, miss—”

“Dagmara,” Magda said.

“Dagmara. Azuremi then?” the guard referenced her accent. “No last name?”

“No. And if you’ll be wanting future investments from me for the guild, you’d best also keep my first name a secret. There’s a lot more people and finances where I come from.” Magda almost smiled. It was exactly what Dagmara would say, and it was working.

The guard nodded in understanding, before holding back the curtain for them to pass through and enter the match.

While the tent had been plain and inconspicuous from the outside, it was the exact opposite on the inside. Instantly, they were transported into Vex’s cave of vices, ostentatious in its splendor, but reeking of illegal activity. All around were colorful tapestries and gambling tables running around the outside of the room in a semicircle. An ugly smoke clouded Magda’s senses, as a foreign scent filled her nostrils. She could almost taste the sweet incense and the sticky sweat that lingered in the air from the heat and alcohol.

The guests present were wearing their finest clothes, and golden jewelry dripped from their hands and fingertips, as if they wanted to make the impression they had more money to spare. The air was thick with the clinking of glasses, laughter, and the symphony of dozens of languages.

In the center of the room was a cage with ceiling-high bars, meant for the fighting matches. Some of the guests stood close, cheering on the animals inside. Beyond the cage, toward the back of the tent, was a velvet curtain that led into the warehouse. The curtain was open, revealing a maze of crates and boxes that were stacked sky-high. Magda didn’t know if it was stupidity or ego that caused Vex to display his wealth that way, revealing an opening directly into the heart of his entire operation.

“Keep a lookout for where they might be bringing the dogs in from,” Ravi leaned close and whispered into Magda’s ear.

“A drink for the gentleman and the lady,” said a server, who passed a copper glass to both Magda and Ravi.

“Thank you,” Magda replied.

“Don’t drink that,” said Ravi, when the server was out of earshot. “It’s laced with truth serum. Vex doesn’t only host these events for money, but for secrets. Look around.”

As Magda did so, she noticed that every one of the guests was gushing over the drink, and in a deep conversation with officers that were manning each one of the gambling tables.

The duo moved forward, holding their glasses at their sides, and approached the center ring. Already, two vicious dogs were in a fighting match, their snarling teeth caked with dried blood. Even though a gate separated Magda from the match, she couldn’t help but tense in fear at the sight of the hideous dogs. Their ghost-like eyes sent a spine-chilling sensation through her entire body.

She watched as they tore each other apart, and the death match ended with one of them in pieces on the side of the ring. All that was left was the remains of a mangled animal, laying in pooled blood. Magda wanted to look away from the ghastly sight, but if she was posing as an investor she had to stay calm. She closed her eyes to keep from gagging.

“Wait here,” said Ravi. “I want to see where they bring out the next dog.”

Magda looked away from the ring, scanning the surrounding areas. Vex was up on a raised platform, in a throne like one of the guardians himself, eagerly watching and calling out the winners. As he did so, more and more coins were dropped into buckets along the side of the room. She wondered if it was all Flaustran currency, or if they were also stamped with the elk, bear, and owl—representing the other kingdoms.

“Long live the First Prince!” someone shouted from the crowd, which caused Vex’s face to turn red. All of the guests shrieked in a wild commotion as they watched the man scream.

“Long live the First Prince!”

“Get him out of here!” Vex said from his dais. “I’ll have no blasphemy here!”

Instantly, two guards were upon the stranger, dragging him away from the crowd and outside a side entrance to the tent. He continued shouting as he was removed, “Long live the First Prince! He’s coming back, and he’ll set fire to all of you and your vices!”

Magda knew all about the stories of the First Prince, and the lore that dubbed him as the most evil guardian in history. At least Vex still had some morals.

Magda turned her attention back to the match. It was still empty. Damn it. Where were they bringing out the next dog?

“Couldn’t stay away, could you?” a familiar voice sounded to Magda’s left. She was surprised to see Ishani standing next to her, pressing her face against the bars as if she had no fear of the ferocious animals inside the ring.

“None of your business,” responded Magda.

“I think you’re starting to be my business,” said Ishani, keeping her eyes on the match so it wouldn’t seem like they were talking. “You shouldn’t be here.”