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‘You have something we want,’ he says.
The innuendo would be unmistakable … if I didn’t have the bracelet on, but for a split second, I forget. I’m me, and they’re … them. And the thought of them taking what they want from me isn’t as abhorrent as it should be. Nowhere near.
Something must show on my face because Kallum sniggers.
‘As if,’ he mutters as he knocks over a tiny, colorful glass bottle on my table that I saw in the market once and couldn’t resist despite the price.
‘Do you mind keeping your clumsy hands off my things?’ I hiss, taking my anger at myself out on him.
He doesn’t look abashed. Instead, he smirks. ‘My hands are nowhere near clumsy,’ he says smoothly, ‘but you’ll never know.’
‘I’m sure I’ll survive the neglect,’ I sneer and am gratified when his eyes flash in annoyance at being denied … even by a female he doesn’t actually want.
‘Enough,’ Dane commands, giving Kallum a quelling glance that shuts him up, although I doubt it’ll be for long.
‘Speak plainly,’ I say to them. ‘I need to be in the kitchen for sixth chime. I don’t have time for this. What do you want for your silence?’
‘A small thing,’ Dane replies. ‘The next time you’re bade to clean the Head Scholar’s office, I want you to find out what you can about the upcoming Council ruling on the Gate. We need to know when the meeting will take place and a list of the council members who’ll be deciding it.’
I let them see my confusion, glancing at Grey first because this is his fault.
‘You’re one of the professors.’ I point at Kallum. ‘You’re head of the Academy Guard.’ I glance at Dane, who’s still directly in front of me. ‘And you do something hush-hush for the Head Scholar himself. Why do you need me for? All of you are in his office more than I am.’
Dane’s sharp eyes find mine at my words about what he does, and I see that I’ve surprised him before he pushes closer menacingly, forcing me to brace my arms on the bed behind me so that I can lean back without putting too much stress on my ribs. It still hurts, though, and I suppress a grunt.
‘Shall I show you what I do for the academy?’ he asks, eyes darkening with malice.
‘I don’t need to know.’
I hold his gaze for a second, just long enough to keep my dignity, before my eyes slide down to focus on the silver toggles of his black tunic.
‘We’re only ever there to meet with him,’ Dane continues as if he didn’t just threaten me, ‘and the wards around his office are secure. He’d know immediately if one of us went in there while he was out.’
‘But I’m just a servant,’ I finish. ‘He’ll know I’m there, but it’s not suspicious.’
Dane nods. ‘You’ll be in there unsupervised. And no one will suspect an illiterate troll of spilling secrets.’ His gaze pierces me. ‘But you’re not illiterate, are you, Thalia?’
I stare at him. ‘No,’ I whisper, trying to think of when he might have noticed me reading because I’m usually very careful that no one knows anything that could draw attention.
How long has he, have they, been watching me? Do they know the truth? Are they just playing with me right now? I push the thoughts away. I can’t afford to crumble. I’ve come too far.
‘How did you know that?’ I ask directly, as if I’m only mildly interested.
‘I saw you hiding amongst the stacks one night, reading. Years ago.’
When I first came here in my new troll body, I realize. I hadn’t known it was against the rules for a servant to be doing that back then. I could have got a sound beating for it if I’d been caught.
Except I was caught.
‘Why didn’t you report me?’ I ask in confusion, knowing that anyone else would have in a heartbeat because that’s how it is here.
He doesn’t reply as he goes to the door, and the others follow him.
‘Find the information for us,’ he says over his shoulder as he opens my door. ‘Or you’ll find yourself in the city dungeons for murder before the week is out.
‘I do this for you, and we’re done. Right?’
Dane is silent, slipping into the dark corridor. Grey follows, giving me one of his narrow-eyed looks that I remember so well from the days at Varrik’s keep. Kallum glances at me with the usual smirk on his face as he takes the lantern and blows it out.
