Shadows of Desiree

of rain and grime, were alive with noise-vendors shouting, children crying, and the occasional bark of stray dogs. Amid this chaos, Amara sat by the open window of her one

f the best seamstresses in the slums, known for her ability to transform scraps of cloth into gowns that whispered of forgotten elegan

n't believe this," she said breathlessly, dropping a basket of vegetables on the table. "The mayor's dau

her work. "And what does

Everything. I overheard one of the maids saying they'

to escape this place? The thought ling

said quietly, threading her needle. "Th

Selena countered. "And you can mak

subtlety. Kane strode in, his signature smirk in place. He was lean, with s

entrance, don't you?" Amar

dropping into the chair acros

ball?" Sele

s not just a ball

ked, though she alre

e mayor's mansion will be full of rich fools with their pockets wide open. A little

ad. "You're insane

"And it's better than sitting h

r expression unreadable. "And

e in, Amara. You get into the ball as a seamstress. Find

rmly. "I'm not help

at the labyrinth of shacks and filth. "You think anyone cares about us, Amara? You think the people in that man

tirely wrong. Life here was a constant fight, and the people in the mayor's mansion

at if he's right, Amara? What

ng. She hated how tempting Kane's words sounded, hat

she said finally, her

onfidence restored.

night, as she lay in her narrow bed, the sound of rain tapping against the tin roof, she stared at the c

t wha

-

slums like wildfire, sparking equal parts envy and desperation. Amara f

tall, with dark hair slicked back and eyes that seemed to pierce through he

me," he said, his voic

d cautiously, sett

" he said, glancing around the small, cluttered r

t unsettled her, though she couldn't pinpoint what

t for?"

aid, though the way his lips

"I'll need her

need a guarantee that the dress wil

This was the kind of client she needed-some

my best,"

e handed her a card with his address. "Deliver it

l run down her spine. She didn't trust him, but

r of a rundown bar. Kane listened intently as she recounte

ect," he said

how?" Ama

n like him always have connections. If we play this right, we c

lly. "And what happens when

He won't. Not i

until now, spoke up. "And w

e widened.

e feeling that they were treading dangerous ground. B

the ga