---Carson's POV---

The heat was blistering, crickets chirping obnoxiously in the shimmering air. Even with the multitude of tents set up to provide some shade, the heat was still oppressive and suffocating.

The city looked like a ghost town, barely anyone on the streets. Even the animals had vacated the streets, opting to hide out the worst of the heat underneath anything that provided a hint of shade.

Only a few people braved the heat and that was simply to provide their animals with water. I groaned under the heat, feeling almost dizzy as the sun burned down on us without remorse.

Even Mord'U, a man who didn't flinch underneath the usual burning sun, now seemed to be having issues himself. The rest of the men were all hiding underneath the tents, biding their time and waiting for the sun to finally relent.

A soft snort escaped me as I shook my head. The heat wasn't going to evaporate the second the sun went down, at least, not instantly. Though I'd suspect that in the middle of the night, the men would soon be begging for some fraction of its heat, as the desert nights could prove to be frigid.

The sand didn't trap the daily heat of the sun as efficiently as cold hard stone, after all. It took the heat as quickly as it gives it away.

Now in the daytime, the sand was blistering hot, able to burn the soles of your feet if you were unwise enough to walk barefoot upon it.

It was one of the many lessons nature taught to the children of these lands. A moment of distraction and an overeager toddler would tread barefoot on the sand, alerting their mother with their wail of pain of what had happened.

But they had learned their lesson. A smirk curled on my lips as I remembered my own mother, and how she had recounted the tale of my own lesson over and over again.

Because I hadn't just stumbled on the sand, no. I had tripped and dove in the scalding sand on my little hands first, burning the palms before I had pressed up on my feet.

Ever since, I hadn't ventured outside without footwear as a child.

Hell, I knew some of the tribes even cooked in sand, using its qualities by making a pit in the sand and lining it up with stones and hot coals, wrapping their food in leaves before burying it underground.

Laughter and music sounded up ahead, making me frown slightly before I sighed, realizing that this was most likely where Nadir was hiding.

After all, we knew his next target and the seemingly innocent woman was standing front and center, entertaining her guests and absorbing all the attention she got.

My eyes flitted over our surroundings, smile thinning in a suppressed sneer as I looked at all the luxury and splendor splayed out.

Servants were hauling around food and drinks on gold trimmed plates, luxurious wine framed in crystal bowls that all looked sculpted by a master craftsman.

The scent of roasted meats, several kinds of hummus, rice, kebabs... everything melded together in an overwhelming blend, but I pitied the servants whom were forced to work the furnaces to provide this party with their food.

In fact, I saw one of them, a young woman who was busily working over the fire, stagger for a moment. Her cheeks were glowing with heat, eyes dazed as she shook her head, forcing herself to keep working even if the sweat was beading on her brow.

Luckily, one of the other servants noticed the possibility of her fainting and plausibly collapsing into the firepit, as he was quick to drag her away from the added heat.

"Are you seeing this?" I questioned with cool anger burning in my veins. Mord'U followed my gaze towards the paling girl as her coworker dabbed at her face with a damp cloth, tapping her cheek to keep her aware.

Mord'U glanced from side to side, alerting me to several other telltale signs. They were small, insignificant to some, but add them all together and it showed a clear sign of abuse and neglect.

Staff that was running around on the hottest time of the day to provide everyone with food and drink. And yet, they weren't given such luxury themselves, drenched in sweat and swallowing dryly, hoping to magically generate some form of fluid down their parched throats.

It also seemed that their boss didn't provide them with new clothing. Nearly all of their outfits showed clear signs of wear and tear. Small tears, sweat stains and fabric pillings were visible on all their clothes while Delilah herself was dressed in the finest of silks, that shimmered in the sunlight.

And as she laughed and tossed her head back, the sunlight caught on numerous golden necklaces and bracelets, gems sparking from her ringed fingers.

My mood soured at the display of wealth and power, something that I had always despised. I never gave a damn how people treated those they deemed superior to them.

All I needed was one look at the hardworking people around to see Delilah for what she really was; a harpy, thirsting for every speck of attention she could grab.

She reminded me of a spoiled little brat who'd stomp their feet when things didn't go their way. Only, I had a strong suspicion she wouldn't just stomp her feet. No, she'd lash out in a mix of hate and fury only to turn the tables and become soft and docile the next.

A shiver ran over my spine as our eyes caught for a moment. Her dark brown eyes were a tad too dark to be comfortable and there was a hint of a sneer in them before she glanced away, tossing her long black hair over her shoulder.

As she went to take a drink, her nose curled with anger before she slapped the cup down, snapping her fingers impatiently at a nearby server.

The poor girl instantly scurried over, apologizing profusely as she filled the cup. Anger jolted through my body as I saw Delilah pull the serving girl closer, seemingly gently whispering something in her ear.

But her long manicured nails that were digging into the shaking girl's arm until beads of blood appeared showed just how disgusting she was.

Delilah let her go with a warm smile and a pat to the girl's cheek, outwardly seeming like a compassionate woman.

"Delilah, my dear, how are you?"

Delilah turned in her seat, scowl transforming into a cool and calculated smile as she greeted the older woman approaching. "Serafina, so good to see you. How was your journey here?"

"Child, don't act as if you're interested in the boring recounts of traveling through farmlands smelling of piss and manure." Serafina sighed as she plopped down in her seat. Within seconds a servant came over to provide the old woman with a plate of food and drinks.

"That's quite enough dear, thank you." Serafina smiled at the servant filling up her glass, making the male nod and back away quickly when Delilah aimed her glare at him.

"I see you're still the same bitter old crone." Delilah smiled thinly at Serafina and leaned across the table under the clinking of the multitude of bracelets and jewelry. "Fine, let's talk business then."

Serafina smirked, her old eyes lighting up as she leaned forwards, digging into her food with a healthy appetite. "Let's, before I get bored of this conversation and take my produce elsewhere. I already have several other offers waiting for me."

Delilah smiled curtly, tapping her nails on the table. "That may be true but you know I pay royally for any rare goods, my dear."

Serafina chuckled around the mouthful of chicken she tore off the wing. "Good, cause I have a few collectors who nearly had an aneurism because they couldn't afford this." She glared at Delilah pointedly, "To think that I made a deal with you that you're allowed to sample all the edible goods."

Delilah smirked victoriously, draping herself in her seat as if it was a throne, sneering down at Serafina. "A deal is a deal, darling. And I know you're a woman of your word."

Serafina snorted, rubbing her hands on a napkin before reaching in her robe and coming back with a small vial.

That instantly caught Delilah's attention before she huffed. "This isn't what I asked for." Serafina smirked slightly, "No of course not, I know you hate this. But you also know I don't drink tea without this powder."

She clapped her hands together after setting the vial with blue powder down. "Come on boy, hurry up. If I have to wait on you I'll end up in the grave before I have my tea."

"Yes, right away M'lady." A familiar voice replied, making Mord'U and I look up instantly. He was hard to recognize but it was indeed Nadir in a servants' outfit that approached, bowing his head and apologizing profusely whilst he set a steaming kettle, cups and a glass jar filled with bulbs between the two women.

"Ugh, servants these days are so useless." Delilah grumbled and Serafina gave a reaffirming hum, slapping Nadir's hand when he went to twist open the jar. "Are you daft, boy? That jar is worth more than your useless hide! Get back to my quarters and make sure they are prepared for my afternoon nap!"

Nadir apologized time and time again, scurrying off to do as told while Serafina clacked her tongue in disgust. I made to follow but Mord'U held me back with a hand to my chest, motioning his jaw slightly towards where Nadir had disappeared off to.

He wasn't staying far, eying the both of us before giving a nod when both Mord'U and I realized that Serafina wasn't just an old lady Nadir was fooling.

She was his accomplice.