Locke looks away. 'It's not complete until you've been…claimed.'
'But you already did,' I argue. 'You claimed me in here just moments ago. That was the word you all used.'
'That was the promise,' Dane says quietly. 'The claiming itself is…more private.'
He says those last two words with a meaningful look at me and then the others and, finally, I grasp the truth. My mouth drops open.
'I didn't realize,' I mutter quietly, finally understanding now why Locke and the others look so unhappy.
They don't want me. I steel my thoughts toward them, realizing that feelings other than anger and loathing had begun to creep in.
Why should I care if they don't want me? I don't want them either!
I give my head a small shake.
'It need only be one of us,' Locke begins, his eyes finding Jak, though Morgan's countenance darkens at the implication that it should only be the healer who lies with me.
'No,' Dane pipes up. 'Calder will ensure that it is all of you. He'll want the binding to be as strong as possible, so that her leash is as tight as yours is. They'll likely try to use the bond created to keep you in line, Bryn. He will petition for it to be all three, if it isn't done, or he will simply take Bryn.'
Dane looks up at the ceiling, clearly wishing this meeting was long over. He's not the only one.
'If it isn't done,' he continues, 'Calder will use that as an excuse to remove Bryn to the Underhill for the training he's demanding, instead of doing it here in the Light. She'll be locked in a cell when she isn't with Voss. Then, after the mission is complete, whether it fails or succeeds, she'll likely be cast out into the Dark regardless. The sooner you're bound, the better protected you are, but at the same time, the more within Calder and Voss's power you'll be.'
Dane lets out a world-weary sigh.
'But you will be one of Halsford's residents by Calder's own admission if you succeed in luring Fiana out. He can't take that back now, so long as you're bound as well. Both are part and parcel of the deal you made, and both must be honored for it to stand.'
Dane stands up straighter, giving the males behind me a pointed look before his gaze finds me.
'I didn't know you were Kismet, but Calder is known for planning quickly. I assume Voss found out during the interrogation.'
I snort at him.
'I thought it was merely a talk,' I say, my eyes narrowing a little. 'You didn't call it an interrogation, one that was just for show.'
He looks away. 'It isn't meant to be one, and yet with Voss, it's usually what it is. I was hoping for one of the other enforcers who aren't so?—'
'Cunty,' Jak mutters from behind me.
'Cunty,' Dane echoes and then his eyes find mine again. 'I'm sorry.'
I give him a puzzled look.
'Why?' I ask. 'What could you have done?'
His mouth opens and he hesitates.
'These days? Nothing,' he spits.
I tilt my head at him.
'I know,' I reply. 'If there's anything I tend to understand quickly in new places, it's who’s really in charge, and it's not them.'
I gesture widely at Locke, Morgan, and Jak and then raise a brow at Dane. 'It's not you, either.'
His jaw tightens, but he doesn't gainsay me.
'It wasn't always so,' he murmurs. 'Not before this place was almost destroyed, and fear took the reins in the Underhill. If the fire hadn't happened, if we hadn't needed the Underhill so badly that winter, if they hadn't taken two seats of Halsford's council, things would have gone differently today. I want you to know that, Bryn. If it had been my decision, I would have let you stay here without ties or payment.'
