Leila
I paced the narrow aisle of the bookstore. Financial books loomed on either side, their spines mocking me with titles like Advanced Economic Theory and Principles of Wealth.
I picked up a heavy tome, its cover slick under my fingers, then set it down with a thud.
My thoughts churned, a mess of frayed threads. Lucas had allowed me to take the Royal School of Finance entrance exam, but his promises always carried a hook. What was he scheming? And those questions in the exam — nowhere to be found, not in any library or seedy back-alley deal.
Where was I supposed to start?
A shadow shifted behind the bookshelf, and someone barreled into me, shoulder clipping mine. I stumbled, catching myself on a shelf.
"Cassius?" I blurted, my voice sharper than I meant. His blond hair gleame
