Page 8 of Powerful

He ducks his head slightly, his gaze piercing. ‘A chance to see your best friend again before it’s too late.’

I bristle at his insinuation. ‘Of course I’ll see her again. When this is all over.’

His words are icy enough to send a chill down my spine. ‘But what if you don’t?’

I swallow, hating that I’m even considering his words. ‘So, I would go with you. To the palace.’ He nods slowly. ‘And I would go see Paedyn while you see Hera?’

Another nod. ‘As far as I know, they should be stayingin the same wing of the castle during the Trials. Though, annoyingly, I have no idea where that might be.’

‘Which is why you want an Imperial uniform. So you can walk the halls freely while you search for the wing,’ I breathe quietly, nodding in understanding.

‘Exactly.’ He extends a sooty hand, his lips tipping slightly in what might be considered a smile. ‘Do we have a deal?’

My eyes flick up from his stained palm. ‘You haven’t asked me my name.’

He blows out a breath. ‘Sorry, I was focused on more important details.’ At the flat look on my face, he grumbles, ‘By all means, please grace me with the knowledge of your name. I’m on the edge of my seat.’

I smile brightly. ‘I’m Adena. Thank you very much for asking. And what is your name?’

After shooting me a sarcastic smile, he begrudgingly answers, ‘Call me Mak.’

‘Well, Mak –’ I reach out to accept his calloused handshake – ‘you now have yourself a partner.’

‘Well, partner, we have to work quickly. There isn’t much time before the Trials begin.’

CHAPTER 3Makoto

I’m assuming you’re hungry, considering that you risked it all for a sticky bun.’

Her jaw drops into a comical look of shock, eyes anywhere but the busy street before us. Before she can even say anything, I’m wrapping an arm round her shoulders, rolling my eyes, and tugging her out of a rumbling cart’s path.

Barely seeming to notice the inconvenience, the shocked expression doesn’t budge from her face. ‘How did you know I stole—’ She cuts herself off, looking around nervously as though an Imperial may pounce at the mention of such a heinous crime. It’s only whenshe’s deemed it safe that she whispers, ‘How did you know I stole a sticky bun?’

‘There’s still honey on your hand,’ I say dully. This has her tucking her arms behind her back, expression sheepish. ‘And after seeing the Imperial chasing you, well, I’m brilliant enough to put two and two together.’

This all sounds very nonchalant, though the truth is nothing of the sort. I’d actually been watching her all morning and seen her pathetic attempt at theft. But I keep all of this to myself, of course, because I have a plan to carry out. A very stupid and slightly unhinged plan.

‘Brilliant, huh?’ she asks with a dubious arch of her brow.

‘Self-proclaimed.’

She hums. ‘I see.’

We walk in silence, surrounded only by the commotion of the street.

It’s a blissful eight seconds.

‘Do you have a job?’

I glance sidelong at her cheery expression. ‘Self-employed.’

This time, she lasts all of six seconds before speaking again.

‘Any hobbies?’

‘Self-serving.’ I meet her gaze before more sarcasm can slide off my tongue. ‘Paired with the occasional self-loathing.’

Frustration tugs her lips into a frown, one she quickly smothers with one of her profoundly perky observations. ‘Well, aren’t you quite the conversationalist!’

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