Page 24 of Powerful

I smile timidly despite the pain, feeling proud of my profanity. And when Mak musters the slightest smile, I know he feels the same. ‘Good form, hun. Maybe you have learned something.’ Then he turns to the cowering figure pinned against the wall. ‘Don’t let me ever see you again.’

He’s gone in an instant, sprinting down the street and shoving bodies aside. Shaking out my aching hand, I watch Mak track the man’s movements until he’s disappeared into the crowd. ‘Th-Thank you,’ I whisper before letting my head fall limply against his chest.

His arms hesitate before encircling me, and I don’t waste a second before doing the same. When I finally release him from my crushing hug, I clear my throat, earning his attention for my quiet question. ‘What did you do that night you went looking for those men?’

He brushes stray strands of hair from his face. ‘I found them.’

I lean in. ‘And after that?’

He looks at me blankly. ‘I thought I ensured that they would never come within your vicinity again. Clearly, I failed.’

I blink about a dozen times before finally finding my voice. ‘Why did you think he was lying about not recognizing me? I mean, it was dark that one night and—’

‘He was lying, Adena.’ His voice cuts through my own. ‘Just believe that.’

I open my mouth to spew several more questions when he suddenly steps away. ‘How about a sticky bun to celebrate your first assault?’

I smack his arm lightly. ‘And I don’t plan on ever doing it again. My hand hurts. And I kind of need that to sew.’ After a quick moment of contemplation, I add, ‘But I will never turn down a sticky bun.’

His lips twitch. ‘Oh, I know.’

I watch him vanish onto the street before allowing myself to slump against the wall. My heart still pounds against my chest, and I squeeze my eyes shut as if that will slow it.

A firm tap on my shoulder interrupts my deep breathing.

It’s an Imperial my eyes open to, smelling of starch and frowning with indifference. I startle at the sight and stagger backwards into the wall. The man looks unfazed by this, only opening his mouth to recite the words he’s been given.

‘I am here to escort you to the castle.’

The stolen sticky bun flashes before my eyes, and right when I’m sure that I’ll be imprisoned for my crime, he says, ‘You have been summoned as a seamstress on behalf of a Purging Trials contestant.’

‘Pae,’ I whisper before he pushes on despite the drop of my jaw.

‘Yes, for Paedyn Gray.’ He looks very displeased that this is how he is spending his morning. ‘She is waiting for you in the coach.’

CHAPTER 9Adena

He looks to be guarding the sticky bun with his life.

I weave between bodies, forcing my way towards him. He’s wrapped his arms around my treat, protecting the precious cargo from several flying elbows.

‘Mak!’ My shout is swallowed up in the commotion, but I force my voice louder. ‘Mak!’

When his head whips in my direction, I wave my hands in the air, jumping high enough to catch his attention. At the sight of me, I swear he smiles.

He jerks his head towards a nearby alley – a silent order to follow. I stumble behind him, pushing throughthe crowd until I’m able to suck in the open air of the alleyway.

‘What’s going on?’ He examines me closely. ‘Is everything okay?’

My lips split into a smile, my voice a squeal. ‘Everything is more than okay! She’s here. She’s here and she’s taking me with her!’

‘Slow down.’ He steps towards me, placing a hand on my shoulder. ‘Who’s here?’

‘Pae!’ Words tumble from my mouth. ‘An Imperial told me that I’m being sent to the palace to become her seamstress for the Trial’s balls! Isn’t that amazing? I’ll get to sew her dresses and—’

‘When?’

The flat tone of his voice makes me falter. ‘Um, now, actually. But I told the Imperial that I had to say goodbye, so I’ve been trying to find you before I have to get back to him.’

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