The Secrets of Their Souls Read Online Free PDF Page A

her shoulders, she said, “I like it, I turn up the music and forget all about the world. It’s like moving meditation.”
    “Yeah, I like to sit on my ass while I meditate.” Maya ate her penne piece by piece. She might have looked like a hipster, but she ate like a princess.
    Zahra giggled. She called over the waitress, ordered a smoothie and then watched on with food envy as Maya finished her meal. “I’m going to visit Eddie this afternoon. Have you seen him recently?”
    “Yes! Oh, I love that guy. I meant to tell you, he’s designed these insane beds for a new project. Ask him to show you when you go in. They are peacock green velvet and they are magnificent.”
    “I will. In fact,” Zahra said, her eyes on the time, “I should get this smoothie to go and head off or I’m going to be late. I’m stopping off at Doyle’s and then at Eddie’s. I’ll tell him you say hi.”
    Zahra and Maya said their goodbyes, promising to catch up as soon as Maya returned from Morocco. Zahra knew that it wouldn’t happen that way, since their promises were always delayed a few weeks at least, but eventually they always found the time to get together.
    *
    Kicking off her heels, Zahra dumped her bag and folders on the hallway console and padded into her kitchen in search of a cool drink to ease her parched throat. She had walked miles today, in stilettos, in the warm summer heat. Tomorrow she would wear flats, one of the few pairs that she owned.
    When the day’s loose ends were tied up, her team checked in with, and her emails replied to, she sat down on the couch and flicked through the channels for something remotely interesting to watch. After three rounds and not a single show that was able to capture her attention, Zahra resorted to some Internet shopping instead. She needed a new bathing suit for her upcoming trip to Puerto Rico and she needed a few new dresses for work. She browsed two of her favorite stores, selected the items, hit checkout and when that was done it was still only 9:30 p.m. Jemma was right; she did need to get a life.
    Fearing the nightmares that accompanied her sleep, Zahra made a concerted effort to delay her bedtime until nearly midnight, which gave her a few more hours to kill. She went back to her favorite room of the house, the kitchen, and made her lunch for tomorrow and wasted time by de-cluttering a few drawers and giving her blender a solid clean. The problem with performing such basic tasks was that it gave the mind a chance to roam. She found herself thinking of Jayce. He would no doubt still be at work, sitting on the top floor of Castle de Mason. She doubted he ever left before midnight and she suspected that he was in not long after sunrise. He was young to be in that position, and the pressure on him was mountainous. He doesn’t seem like a guy who would lose his cool easily though , Zahra thought.
    When there wasn’t another item to clean, or another drawer to sift through, Zahra went back to her computer, seeking solace in her work. She might not have a life but she had a damn good career that she loved.
    *
    Queen Keres sat on her golden throne above the thousands of people lining the streets. Some were hungry for a show and others cast down their eyes, but they were all in attendance. Fear had a special way of making people follow orders, and Keres was the Queen of Fear.
    I stood on the edge of the stage in my gown. Every assassin had a different color: mine was red. Blood red. Well suited, given my love for the thick, oozing liquid. The first time I had tasted blood it had been that of my father. He had deserved it and more, and I was glad that he was dead. I was also glad that it had been my hand that had delivered it to him.
    “Today, you shall all see what happens when you defy me and the laws of this Kingdom.” All eyes lifted to obey the queen. “Today, you will see the punishment for stealing from the Capital.”
    He stumbled onto the stage, his feet bloody and swollen