Empire of Seduction

e a vice. She couldn't see anything, but she could hear the soun

she asked, her voice b

d, his voice low and urgent. "The Shadow F

colder and heavier. Alexa could feel the weight of the cave

er arm tightened. "Wait," he whispered

r heart pounding in her ches

the distance. The light grew brighter, illum

plants. In the center of the room, a small pool of water refle

. "What is this place?" she asked, her

gh the arena. "This is a hidden chamber," h

ted that made her heart skip a bit. A small, delicate flower bloomed in t

actual one the

d raced with excitement. She knew that she h

it, Karen's hand closed aroun

s flashing with warning.

sank, though s

ign of movement. But there was nothing. Just the faint glow of the cr

she whispered, her eye

e hiding," he said. "But don't wo

he shadows, their features illuminat

ith skin as black as coal and hair t

exa asked, with s

with warmth. "My name is Rhema," s

uestions. What did Rhema mean

any questions, Karen sp

ation," he said. "One that's been work

e really a group of people wor

der," she said. "We know about your past, and

a beat. And how did sh

questions, Rhema continued,

help you bring down the emperor and free the

ably. "Why do you want to help me? How do you know about th

ies for her people and her personal ambitions. Could she really trust thi

I want the emperor to pay for all he has put my people through" she clea

ng there that gave her hope. Something that made her

ds. Bringing down the emperor was a daunting task, but with the hel

" Alexander asked

ormation on the emperor's movements and plans," she said. "We know that he's goi

ur chance," she said. "We can sneak into the throne r

hem on the plan her heart racing. It w

e looking for?" she asked Rh

ing for proof of the emperor's involvement in the Shadow Concord," she said

with excitement. This was it. This wa

could still find out who has been sending her myst

his eyes giv

And her eyes shining with gratitude. "Thank you, Alexa," she said. "Toge

ighter, the crystals and glowing plants illu

possibility, a moment when

the feeling that they were being watched, that unb