"The only fire I fear is the one in your eyes, Mistress," Leo replied, clearly proud of his own wit.
Marcus, the sergeant, nudged him aside. "Ignore the lad, he's young. But he's right about one thing. You're too bright for this dusty yard. Why don't you tell us your name? A beauty like yours deserves a song, not just a drill."
Vera leaned forward, her emerald eyes locking onto Marcus's with a sudden, sharp intensity that made the sergeant blink. "My name? Oh, I go by many names. Some call me a thief. Some call me a catalyst. But lately... people have been calling me the Audit."
The soldiers frowned. "The Audit? Like... a tax collector?"
Vera laughed, the sound bright and wicked. "Something like that. I look at things that are hidden. I find things that people try to keep for themselves. And right now... I see a group of soldiers who are neglecting their drills to talk to a woman who could pick their pockets before they even finished a sentence."
