Chapter 1

The albino girl squatted in the cool alley, thankful for the brief relief from the blistering sun. Sweat trailed down her back and stung her eyes, soaking into the thick cloak most people would go mad wearing.

Nothing about the past few months would've indicated Greer being an ordinary thief. The knowledge she carried, was risking her life for, would ensure thousands of people wouldn't starve as she had. She only had one problem. She had to get out of the city and make it across the kingdom to the palace where she hoped the king believed her.

Near silent footsteps padded down the dusty alley and Greer looked up, her pale hand reaching for the chef's knife she'd stolen two days ago.

Her hand stilled when she realized it was only Eli Gamble. Annoying as he may have been, he wasn't a threat on her account. Just a bully.

"Greer, is that you?" Eli asked. His voice was different. It wasn't near conceded or jeering as it was when directed at her.

"Aye." She muttered. "What is it you want?"

He stopped before her and she was once again reminded of his height and obvious lethal ability. "Bayne sent me to help."

Greer frowned deeply. Why would her idiot big brother do a thing like that? True, without Bayne, Greer never would've escaped, but he hadn't been in her life since she'd become an outcast. But Eli? Why would Bayne choose her lifetime bully? And why would Eli agree?

Greer pulled to her feet. "Bayne would never send someone I hate to help me."

Eli balked and gestures to himself with both hands. "Who could hate me? I'm impeccable." He sounded almost genuine, like the thought hadn't crossed his mind that he was a complete jerk who needed to be punched in the face. Maybe a crooked nose would match his crooked personality.

"Do you even know what you're helping me with." Greer narrowed her pale eyes and pursed her lips.

Eli blew a stray black hair from his face. "Life and death, darling. The Mayor needs to die. And well, honestly, you bother said you couldn't do it without us."

"Us?" Greer tensed.

He shrugged casually, his muscles frame shifting his thin tunic. "Me and my pal, Loki Burroughs. We'll meet him on the way out of the city." He winked a sapphire eye. "Don't worry, Greer. We know the challenges that lie ahead."

A hot wind pushed past them and shoved Greer's hood out of place. She quickly righted it on instinct. "Do you truly understand what's at stake, Eli? I can't use your help if you're all bark and no bite."

His eyes turned the most serious she'd ever seen them before. "Greer," he said quietly. "though demeaning as such a job is, I will help an outcast if it means I won't lose my worldly possessions to the Mayor. He doesn't deserve a single denarri from me."

Unbelievable. The little loser was so concerned! Greer punched him in the face for the insult and stalked away.