Page 39 of First Offense

It seemed highly out of character for him to wander off and leave his charge unattended. Yeah, he was pissed, but he wasn’t the type to shirk his responsibilities.

I’d followed him to the breakfast hall earlier, but I hadn’t entered, choosing instead to wait for Zian and Sorin. Much to my surprise, Layla had arrived first. I’d nearly intervened when those idiots put their hands on her, but she’d handled it on her own, earning another smidge of respect from me.

A princess with a warrior’s heart.

Mmm, a decent pairing indeed.

I just needed to crack that haughty exterior first. Her comments about mating below her station had amused me immensely.

She saw me as beneath her station?

How cute.

I couldn’t wait to make her bow and beg.

At least her commentary had told me why she and Auric weren’t yet an item—she didn’t find the Nora Warrior worthy of her. Perhaps her brush-off was what drove that stick so far up his ass.

However, I suspected it went deeper than that.

He was a man of duty and honor, and surely, fucking the royal heir didn’t fit into his skewed view of life.

Now where are you?I wondered, glancing around with Layla. There weren’t a lot of places for him to wander off to. I’d seen him briefly in the cafeteria, watching as Layla had taken a seat at my table. Rather than march over and demand she leave, he’d held my gaze and told me without words to watch her.

It was a test of some kind, one that had surprised me. A century ago, there wouldn’t have been a question regarding my helping him with such an assignment. But then I’d Fallen, killing any and all trust between us.

Or perhaps not.

Because he’d left me in charge of her care with a subtle nod before ducking out of the cafeteria.

Layla hadn’t seen him, likely because he knew how to blend in with his scenery better than most Nora. He hadn’t wanted her to notice him, allowing him a chance to observe. But now I wondered where he’d flown off to. I’d expected him to continue monitoring this little test. However, I didn’t sense him nearby at all.

I clicked my tongue, causing Layla to frown at me.

Ignoring her, I waited.

And a few seconds later, I smiled when Clyde’s familiar claws tugged at my jeans as the tiny rodent climbed up my leg.

Layla jumped back, her sapphire gaze round as Raven said, “Mousey Mouse!”

I rolled my eyes. His name was notMousey Mouse. This was just his exterior to help him blend into the prison. Beneath all that fur lurked a predator who would eat her alive if he didn’t find her adoration so cute.

His beady black eyes met mine as he perched on my shoulder.

I don’t suppose you’ve seen that arrogant Nora Warrior flying about somewhere?I asked him.

I’d met my little shifter ally while in solitary. He’d called himself a Blaze—some sort of fiery, dragon-like being from another sector of Nightmare Penitentiary.

Apparently, the tiny demon could read my mind—a trait that would have earned his death under normal circumstances. However, he’d used his telepathic ability to warn me that my enchanted window-like wall was actually cursed and would slay me if I tried to fly through it.

We’d become fast friends after that. I’d even sent him to check up on Zian and Sorin a few times, which was how I’d learned about their new pet, Raven.

Had it not been for Clyde, I might have killed her during our first meeting. She’d been bloody and covered in my cousin’s scent. I’d thought the worst until I realized she was the female Clyde had told me about.

Clyde whispered in my mind, his darkness communing with mine. Auric was nearby, but in a precarious position.

A new section of the reformatory?I asked, clarifying Clyde’s commentary.

He chittered out loud, causing Layla’s eyes to go wide.