Page 8 of Their Lethal Pet

With a deep breath, I slide the combed ends into my dark hair.

And genuinely pray for the first time in my very short life.

Please call my name.

Please call my name.

Please call my name…

CHAPTER TWO

ALINA

The town squareis deathly silent.

Not a word is spoken. I’m convinced that some of us are not even breathing.

This is the waiting period. The dreaded anticipation as our Village Viscount prepares to deliver his annual sermon.

We’ll cast a prayer to the monsters for allowing us to survive among them, bless the upcoming sacrifice, and beg the fates to choose the right Offerings.

To provide the wrong Offerings could result in the extermination of humankind. Or that’s what our Village Viscount always says, anyway.

I swallow, the warm air causing my white gown to stick to my clammy skin. Summer is upon us, as evidenced by the blistering sun overhead. But that doesn’t stop our Village Viscount from drawing out the ceremony.

He’s standing up there in the shade provided by the overhang hovering above his stage, his podium a few feet in front of his tall, imposing frame.

There’s a fan stirring a breeze near his suit-clad form,something I can see but not hear. And I can only see it because it’s causing the wisps of his long blond hair to dance around his broad shoulders.

He’s one of the oldest men in attendance, his Barons the only others close to him in age. It’s rare for men to make it to over fifty in our village. Too many farming accidents. Too harsh a work schedule. Too limited on basic necessities.

I curl my hands into fists as several around me sway in discomfort. We’re hungry and thirsty. Overheated.Scared.

Except my fear is different this year. I’m no longer afraid of being chosen; I’m afraid ofnotbeing chosen.

My jaw clenches as I stare our Viscount down.Screw. This.

I’m tired of this show of power. Everyone around me has their heads bowed, their respect devout.

But I can’t quite bring myself to tuck my chin. I want to stare at him, toseehim. And I want him to see me, too.

It’s a bizarre urge. A forbidden desire. Anangryreaction.

This man has the audacity to stand up there with hisfanswhile the rest of us burn.

The fabric around my face feels heavy, my overheated skin sticking to the gauzy material.

My gaze narrows.I’m done.

Soon, my name will be called, and I’ll be free. I have to believe that or I’ll scream.There’s no other option. Fate has to be on my side here.

And if it’s not, then maybe I can do something to guarantee it. Push this Viscount a little more and force his hand. Make himchooseme. Because a defiant villager makes an excellent Offering. Isn’t that why broken rules earn more entries?

Testing the theory, I push the veil away from my headso that it’s covering my hair and not my face. The men don’t have to hide behind a curtain of white fluff, so why do I?

“Lina,” Sage hisses under her breath. “What are you doing?”

“Defying the order,” I reply while barely moving my lips.