Cruel Fates (Empires Book 1)

PTE

while the sounds of merchants hawking their wares, the clang of hammering on metal, and the aroma of exotic spices filled the air. As they blended into the crowd, Galen wore a nondescript black hoodie, pulling the cowl up to shadow his face, while Lysan

But her attention was soon drawn to the town square, where the market stalls seemed to be arranged around a central, omino

he creaking of wooden beams. Lysandra'seyes locked onto the gruesome spectacle, her mind racing with the implic

m. His eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched in a mixture of anger and concern. What we

place. The crowd's murmurs grew louder, their faces filled with a mixture of morbid curiosity and bloodlust. Ly

her mind racing with the possibility that this execution might be more than just a coincidence. Could this be a warning, a demonstration of Valtoria's intolerance for those who didn't conform? As the hooded figure was

d's attention. The extravagant fabric, woven with intricate patterns and threads of gold, was a testament to his wealth and sta

gh office. Beneath the cloak, he donned a finely tailored doublet and hose in a deep, rich blue, adorned with delicate Silver trim. A heavy, ornate chain of off

without prejudice. But I have one unyielding rule: we will not harbor the Gifted. Those born with the Marks of the dead gods are Cursed, and we'll

forced herself to look away, but the sound of the blade biting into flesh was unmistakable. The mayor's sm

arely above a whisper. "We need to get out of here – now. This city is a death

xed on Lysandra with a mixture of curiosity and lechery. Galen watched with narrowed eyes as th

merchant over the price of two fine horses. "Hello, beautiful," one of t

voice low and even. "That's enough. Leave her alone." But t

nd, sending him crashing into a nearby stall. The wooden frame splintered, and the ca

from the surrounding crowd, and Lysandra'seyes sna

en!" Her eyes blazed with fury as she turned to the touts

sed around his arm like a vice. She twisted it into an unna

our, daring them to make another move. The touts exchanged uneasy gla

orange flames. Forgetting the crowd, he unleashed two fireballs that

anger had sealed their fate. The tout's terri

crowd, and the approaching soldiers, their faces set in determined lines. The mayor's words ech