-SELENE-
"Inspect my cargo? Seriously?" Sander shot back, voice climbing. "This has never happened before. I’ve taken this road every month for two years."
My breath hitched. The guard’s boots crunched against the dirt. I pictured him yanking back the tarp, eyes narrowing, hand drifting toward a blade.
"New orders came in this morning," the guard said. "The Queen wants eyes on everyone. Not just folks coming in—folks heading out, too."
His voice drifted toward the back of the cart. My lungs forgot how to work. I started to hyperventilate.
Sander hopped down from the bench, his voice slicing through the tension. I couldn’t see him, but I knew he was standing between the guard and the cart.
"Please don’t lift the tarp," he said, trying to sound calm. "Cold air’ll ruin the pastries. I w
