Page 63 of First Offense

She looked so innocent.

But looks could be deceiving.

I drew in a breath, then let it out, and surveyed the courtyard. No other visible threats were around, and I needed to talk to the Reformer while I had the chance. But I would be intelligent about it. Not angry. Not accusatory. Justobservant.

Because I didn’t trust him not to knock me out “by accident.” Everything here operated under erroneous circumstances, and I wasn’t about to be one of his “unintentional” victims.

However, Layla and Novak had almost perished with me. That differed from the previous events—the ones that seemed to target me more than anyone else.

If Novak hadn’t realized we were undergoing another culling, we might have died in that cell together. I’d have to ask him more about the Blaze creature later and how it communicated with him. Obviously, it was via some form of telepathy. But I wanted to know more.

And I wanted to talk about what it all meant. Was someone trying to kill Layla now, too? Or had she been the target all along? Perhaps they’d wanted me out of the way to more easily get to her.

Regardless, one thing was clear—I didn’t trust Sayir or his guards.

But that didn’t mean I couldn’t try to squeeze some information out of them.

Starting with how the fuck he’d put all the Noir to sleep.

Bodies littered the ground, and while they were all breathing, it was still an eerie scene. I picked my way through them to the Reformer, who had his back to me.

“We’re not sure what happened,” one of the guards began.

The Reformer’s wings fluttered, and my stomach heaved as if the world had just tilted, although I had no idea why. “You’ll find out,” he demanded, his voice lethal. “Or you’ll burn with them. Half of my investments have just gone up in smoke.”

Investments?

An odd word to use for inmates slated for reformation.

Sayir growled as he continued berating the guard. “One more misstep and I’ll rip your wings off.” He gripped the guard’s wing and yanked hard, taking a few feathers as if to demonstrate. The Nora already had crooked stems, the feathers splaying out in odd directions, so I imagined this was a common reaction from the Reformer.

At least they didn’t turn to dust like the other one,I thought, recalling the dead guard from the beast attack.

“Sayir,” I said, keeping my voice calm. As the leader of the Royal Guard, I was entitled to information, but the Reformer had already proven not to care about my title or well-being. So I’d try a different approach, one of praise. “I don’t know what you just did to the inmates, but it was impressive.”

The Reformer turned to regard me with one raised brow. “I merely engaged a spell tied to the Noir inmates.”

Interesting phrasing,I thought.Noirinmates.

Shouldn’t all Noir be inmates?I wanted to ask. But instead, I nodded and allowed him to see my surprise. “I didn’t realize you possessed that ability.” Some Noir and Nora maintained magical talents, such as the healing spell Raven had performed. “Was knocking them out imperative for the next step?”

He nodded. “Yes. We’ll be moving facilities, and I’d prefer to avoid any potential hysteria and unrest that may follow.”

“I see. Do you need any assistance?” I offered. “I’m happy to help move the inmates to the transport.”Primarily the ones I want to see untouched,I added to myself.

He studied me for a long moment. “I didn’t authorize what happened here.”

“I never said you did,” I replied. But it was interesting that he felt the need to say that about this incident, and not any of the others. Everything else was a mistake or an error. Yet his word choice suggested those “errors” had been “authorized,” whereas this one was not.

“I will find out what happened,” he added.

Damn right you will,I thought. But out loud, all I said was “Good.” I didn’t follow it up with a demand. I didn’t threaten to tell the king. I merely held a blank expression and again asked, “Do you want my assistance?”

“That would be appreciated,” he said after a beat. “The transport will be here momentarily. We’ll need to secure the prisoners on the plane, then I’ll accompany you all to the new prison.”

“How far away is it?” I wondered out loud.

He lifted a shoulder. “Space is relative.” He turned away to face his guards, more orders dropping from his lips, leaving me to ponder his cryptic statement.