Sing, Canary - Ashley Amy Page 0,27

didn't tell me how he did it, but I knew he handled Freddie." I had to make sure the crews on the outside thought I had been a part of this. If word got out that Lyra was pulling the strings, I'd lose my cred.

"Yeah, they found him a day after when the janitor went into a private room. Be careful, though, and make sure you have an alibi, man. I know he did it, but you're always the prime suspect for Talon."

"They have cameras. If he isn't up my ass by now, he saw where I was at the time of death. We both know he probably told them August and Lyra were somewhere else as well." My nose twitched, signaling my snarl.

"Well, Lyra will always be our in with the precinct. It's wise not to piss her off in here, Caine." As much as I hated Gregor's argument, it held merit.

I wanted to use Lyra as my trade in here, but she just proved she had more value to our outside dealings. I hated all of this knowledge as I talked to one of the men who worked inside the inner circle.

"I know. Maybe if I kiss the princess's ass, he'll lay off." I rolled my eyes.

Gregor chuckled again. "Look, you and Lyra are using your time wisely in here. I talked to Talon, and he got you guys a good lawyer that should have you cleared in a few weeks."

"A few weeks is a lot of time, Gregor. We're already a week in."

"Yeah, well, none of us know who actually killed Armoni, man. We want him hung from the trees too. Your little princess will be cleared faster from her grey feather being documented already. Sadly, you can't use your wings as your alibi."

"We'll get cleared. They'll trace the poison. It won't lead back to me or Axel."

"You don't even know who did it?" he asked.

"No. I've been working on that, but I don't have the resources I'd have on the outside."

"Maybe see if your sister can pull some strings with the cop."

"I'll do what I can." It looked like Lyra and I were going to be getting a lot closer. I knew she'd be outside right now, so as I hung up the phone, I quickly rose to get to my guard.

He put the key in my cuffs once I was out of the call room. Heading for the courtyard, I had a certain angel to confront.

17

Lyra

Simone and I kept exchanging glances on opposite sides of the courtyard. She stayed right next to Barcel, and I now understood why.

I just prayed Talon could free her from this Hell. She didn't deserve to be here or receiving the cruelty she was taking.

Under the noon sun, I was already getting too hot out here. My eyes scoured the cement garden as some groups played basketball. Others worked out with the equipment that was sure to burn their hands.

Roan was with that group, pressing weights without a spotter. His muscles glistened the sweat of the hot day, but he didn't let it tire him. My gaze followed from Simone to him, then they found Axel.

The lion had his hands in the chain-link fence that surrounded the basketball court. He held my attention as I saw something bothered his mind.

My mind was plagued from my admission the other day. Another little secret slipped past my lips where he was concerned.

August joined me on the side of the garden. This prison was starting to have some negative effects on me, but I would endure. Seven days into my arrest, and I was still alive. That's all a girl could really ask for.

"You have your next client. Do you need my assistance?" I murmured as he drew near.

"You verified it's him?"

"Yes," I answered honestly. "I goaded him last night when I walked by his cell. Father was correct when he believed Dillion Park was working under Barcel's command."

"Is there any information you need?" he asked, facing away from me. We didn't need people eavesdropping on such sensitive information.

"Father told me they were using angel's grace for something. If you can weasel it out, it would help us gain some footing against Barcel's plans."

"How come your father never told me of this?"

"I asked him to not tell anyone. It was something that I was working on in private." My eyes betrayed my words as I tracked Roan finishing up his set.

August nodded.

"He's your charge, isn't he?"

"How did you know?" I was nervous it