“No, Mr. Ashworth, it wasn’t. I’ve only just arrived, and Mr. Viceroy can verify that.” And given there was no sign of a cup, let alone a coffee spill, his memories were obviously less than reliable. Perhaps he’d hit the back of his head in the fall and was concussed.
“Well, it was definitely a woman, and it definitely sounded like you.”
I frowned. “Meaning you didn’t actually see her?”
“No.”
“But you let her into the apartment?”
“Yes.”
“Did you confirm her identity first?”
“I wouldn’t have let her in if I hadn’t.” His expression darkened into suspicion. “I’m sure it was you.”
“It wasn’t, I promise. What do you remember after you gave her entry?”
“Nothing, as I said.”
“Nothing at all? You didn’t see her? Speak to her? Stand up and greet her?”
“Not that I remember.”
While there was nothing to suggest he was lying, an evasiveness had crept into his gaze that had mine narrowing. Something odd was going on, but the only way I could really be sure was to touch him and read the road map of his life force—and that was only ever a last resort when it came to someone as powerful as this man. There were plenty of other avenues of truth detection to be tried first, even if it was doubtful he’d willingly comply withanyof them.
Butthatwas for the Society to figure out.
“Did you have any other appointments booked this morning? Me aside, that is.”
“No. Now help me up.” He shoved a hand somewhat imperiously in my direction.
It was tempting to use the opportunity to read him, but that would mean lowering my shields—a risk too far when in the presence of such a powerful witch. “You shouldn’t move. You might be injured. I’ve called an ambulance?—”
“I have no need for a damn ambulance, and you, young woman, would do well to obey your superiors.”
Which was the moment I understood the distaste I’d glimpsed earlier. I might have the scarlet hair of a royal witch, but the green eyes both Samuel and I had been gifted from that distant grandfather meant we were often considered tainted and unworthy, at least when it came to marrying into the higher end royal lines.
Having met many marriageable “prospects” from those royal lines over the years, it was in my opinion no great loss.
“Are you sure you really want me to do that?” I answered, keeping my voice bland. “I mean, my flesh would have to touch yours, and heaven only knows what sort of germs an inferior witch such as myself will pass on.”
Anger flashed through his bright silver eyes. “Now see here?—”
“Mr. Ashworth,” I cut in curtly, “I don’t care how important you are or how connected you are. You were attacked, you may be injured, and youwillwait until the ambulance gets here to examine you before you move. If I have to physically restrain you, I fucking will. I do have magic-nulling cuffs in my handbag, and I am not afraid to use them.”
He blinked, his surprise evident. He was not a man used to being backchatted, which was exactly why I’d done it. While high-profile witches often demanded instant obedience from those they considered beneath them, they also didn’t respect you when they got it.
“Are you always this forthright?”
“I find it makes for better communication when everyone knows exactly where they stand.”
He studied me for a second, his expression unreadable. “You’re Yuto’s daughter, aren’t you? It would certainly explain your forthrightness.”
My father was leagues beyond being merely forthright. He was renowned for having no time or energy for the usual bullshit that abounded in the royal ranks and, rather contrarily, it had made him one of the more sought-after members during his time on the advisory board. “He’ll be pleased to hear you think I follow in his footsteps. Now, this woman you let in—do you know whether she was a witch or something else? Did she cast a spell or physically attack you?”
“This apartment is riddled with protection spells—had she cast a spell, I would have known.” He hesitated. “There was a slight... pressure?... in the air just after I buzzed the apartment door open. As I’ve repeatedly said, I don’t remember much after that.”
Was the pressure in the air or in his mind? From what we’d been taught about telepathic abilities, the latter was often mistaken for the former. But surely someone who had the prime minister’s ear would have multiple protections against telepathic invasion. Hell, they’d developed wearable electronic devices to stop telepathic intrusion yonks ago now, and these days it was commonplace for both government buildingsandthe private residences of government officials to have industrial-sized electronic nulling installed.
