Page 69 of First Offense

I wasn’t meant to know.

But that didn’t mean I couldn’t pay attention.

Not much I could do with the blue sky, but once we landed, I’d take in our surroundings. I’d learn. And maybe I’d use that information… to escape.

Because I didn’t believe Sayir for a minute that he had a plan for Layla’s reform.

His idea of repenting involved cullings and poisonous monsters.

He might not have ordered this last execution—a notion that carried much doubt—but he’d authorized the others. I was sure of it.

We couldn’t stay here.

Not if we wanted to survive.

I made a vow to keep Layla safe. So I would. Even if it meant defying every rule set before me.

Would my wings turn black as a result? Or was that just more of Sayir’s inane babble?

I guess we’ll find out.

19

Auric

Sayir continuedhis cryptic commentary until we landed, ending with a relieved “Ah, yes, much, much better.”

I glanced out the window to see the rock formation ahead and arched a brow. “A cave network?”

“Much more durable and reliable than the last prison, I assure you.” He unbuckled himself and slid effortlessly to his feet. “I actually own this location. Unlike the Nightmare Penitentiary one.”

“Nightmare Penitentiary?” I repeated.

“The prison network we just left,” he explained. “I thought I’d try outsourcing. As you can see, it didn’t work out well. Too many supernaturals in one network, I think.” He lifted a shoulder, then walked away before I could ask any clarifying questions. Not that I had one. I was too busy gaping at him.

He’doutsourcedthe location?

No wonder that prison had been in shambles.

It also explained the monsters—and Novak’s pet.

Why would King Sefid send his daughter to the most unstable reformatory? There were others in existence. Were they too full? Or had he wanted her to attend the location his brother was currently monitoring?

Because it seemed Sayir had been closely supervising this last prison, perhaps because of all the errors that had occurred.

Maybe he hadn’t sanctioned the killings at all, but had been trying to prevent them from getting out of hand.

My mind liked that notion, but my gut told me it was wrong.

Nothing about this situation felt right. And all of Sayir’s comments had left me uneasy. Something about the Fall wasn’t adding up. Because he was right. I did find it very hard to believe that Layla had done something worthy of her black feathers. The fact that she was insistent upon her innocence only enhanced that instinct.

If she’d truly Fallen, she would feel unrepentant about her act and wouldn’t mind admitting it. So why claim innocence when her lies were written into her wings? Because she truly believed in her innocence.

Or she was playing a very dangerous game.

If it turned out to be the latter, then I’d leave her to her fate and quit on the spot. The fact that I could feel that way so resolutely only further confirmed her truth, because I would never proclaim such an ultimatum unless I knew without a doubt that there wasn’t a chance of it coming to fruition.

I loved being a Nora Warrior.