-

Work took her mind off things. There was much to do in a house with only three to share the bulk of the chores. But while her dinners were spent alone in the kitchen, she now shared her breakfast and lunches with Carlos, who'd greeted her with a cheery smile and excitement in his eyes. There was something about a friendly face that meant her no harm, for it did not take her long to start her day with a grin on her cheeks.

Carlos was like her little brother, and maybe there were other reasons why she wanted him close. The secrets he spilt about local news and Omega culture were useful information. The little Omega was a chatterbox and gossip, and he had a loose tongue which made it far too easy for Quinn.

For example, she knew now that Alphas walked free in the markets close to where he and his father lived. But that didn't mean they weren't treated like second-class citizens—ostracised and below. A fight had broken out when one woman had touched a butcher. She didn't leave unscathed, although Carlos reckoned the butcher had lied about it in spite.

And she knew the kings weren't just busy and away because she wanted them out of her life. They were also embroiled in politics and order, pale-faced and engaged with angry noble Omegas who weren't too happy about the Alphas in their midst. There were also borders breached by the Lonely, destruction rampant as the soldiers struggled to dominate the horde. Zen was on the front lines. Not that she gave a damn.

"Good morning," she'd beamed, turned to sleepy eyes, and a slow yawn from a messy bedhead of curls. An egg was split on the lip of a pan, and she flipped the fish—heavily seasoned with herbs. Her cooking was better, Carlos had discovered, having nabbed a bite of a sandwich she'd fixed for herself. And of course, it was. It was all thanks to Float.

She'd just earned her first coin. James had shoved the gold into her hands gruffly with a scowl and a scratch of his nose. He'd seen her work and had seemed to appreciate her kindness to Carlos. The money, he'd claimed with a sneer, was a bonus she deserved for working like a horse. And Quinn had used it immediately on spices and things to improve the quality of her meals.

Carlos sank into the seat, cheeks red from the cold, a droopy smile on his lips. "Morning," he moaned. And she only smiled, a cloth soaked in cold water and then pressed to his warm cheeks. He shuddered awake with a yelp, and Quinn laughed. "Hey!" Arms batted out at her, he gave a playful shove and she chuckled, darting back.

"Didn't sleep?"

"Up all night reading the news," Carlos answered with a groan, then jumped to his feet. "The Kings are coming back!" he chirped excitedly, and Quinn's expression soured immediately, a look of distaste fluttering over her face. Just when she was getting used to life, they just had to return to feast on her body.

"Of course you're excited," she nodded softly, sliced bread that she'd just baked—a beautiful mahogany sourdough with a fluffy, chewy centre. She toasted it to the right shade of gold, butter spread thick and melting into the crevices borne from the bubbles of carbon dioxide from yeast culture. "They're your idols." Her gut twisted at the thought of the seven.

"And your mates!" he told her, mouth full.

"Right," she answered dryly.

His eyes swept over her; brow pinched. "You don't even know how good they are, do you?" He sighed and sank into his seat. "They're the greatest of us all, the smartest, the most powerful, the best. They aren't just the crown simply by blood. They embody it."

"I wouldn't know," Quinn agreed. Carlos was just a boy, and it was easy for him to adore the seven for their accomplishments.

"You don't," Carlos groaned like it was a sin. "They're all exceptional fighters, of course, having led the armies in the war. They're crazy good at it." he nodded eagerly. "But the medicine we have, the schools, the orphanages, the walls that protect us from the Lonely? Why the water and sewage work? The food we have in this climate? The economy? It's all thanks to them. They make life better, and the Omegas adore them for it."

"They have a team, Carlos," Quinn smiled at him kindly. "They do not do things alone."

"Pops said we didn't have proper sewage or hot water when Euodia was running things!" Carlos pointed out with a glare, and Quinn winced at that. "And crime was rampant. Life was awful. There was no money for Omegas. And you earn money, they give you money." Quinn was silent at that, pondering his words. "Everyone loves them. And they can be kind," Carlos said, voice edged with his plea. "Nice, only if you are pleasant to them."

Quinn raised a brow. "I don't pick fights with my employer."

"And yet you hate them."

"I do not."

"Your smile drops when I talk about them."

"Alright," she sighed, raising both hands in mock surrender. "I have a job because of them, and I genuinely enjoy the hot water." Quinn smiled at the boy and tapped his nose, a snort bursting free. "Now stop it, please. I know exactly what you're trying to tell me."

Carlos paused at that, eyes flashing to her, nervous. "W-what?"

"You think I'll get myself killed like that Alpha in the market," she answered softly and approached him with a smile. "I have a contract with them. I know my place. And I know not to show my dislike of them to others."

"Not every Omega's like me," Carlos admitted, nodding slowly. "The adults don't like Alphas. It'll be too easy to kill you—"

"I know," Quinn agreed, hand on his cheek, catching his eye. "But I'll be fine."

"It's not just that," Carlos told her, eyes shifting, lips pressed into a thin line. And this had alarm bells sounding in her mind. He stepped closer, gaze shifting nervously. "They'll keep you longer if you're just pleasant. If you're just amicable." Carlos pressed, his eyes wide, almost wild, as his fingers gripped her wrist tighter and pulled her closer. His scent was sharp, sharp with something awful, voice falling into a whisper as his face drew closer. "Treat them well, but not too well. Not like you're in love and you'll give them as much as they want—"

"Boy?" James' voice echoed from the hallway and Carlos jumped away from her, hands reaching for the last of the bread with a nervous laugh. Quinn was startled at the look on his face, the way the expressions flashed with pity and then sorrow. It all smoothed away quickly. A wall slammed shut before her.

"Will be there soon Pops!" Carlos yelled, turning to go.

"Carlos, wait—"

But before she knew it, he was gone.