Page 54 of Twist of Fate

Luke stared after them. “What did you just do?”

“I have no idea, but I think I’m their king now.”

Cosmo laughed. “I strongly recommend that you never say that within Silenus’s hearing.”

“Consort, then.”

“That title is also occupied.”

“I’ll workshop it.”

The healer closed her case. “He may become tired without warning. Do not allow him to stand without assistance, and send for me if the pain returns.”

“I’ll make sure he behaves,” Luke said.

Gomez snorted. “Your optimism is adorable.”

After the healer departed, Asterius and Keir followed her into the corridor. Zer remained near the bed with Avaneel, although the growing crowd of pixies had pushed him farther toward the wall.

Gomez watched Luke for another moment. Some of the delight faded from his face.

“Now tell me what happened to you.”

Luke reached beneath his shirt and drew the thumb drive from the hidden pocket sewn into his waistband. It looked harmless lying across his palm. A small piece of plastic and metal, no different from a hundred others he had carried over the years.

Gomez stared at it. “Please tell me you were not nearly murdered over office supplies.”

“I don’t know what’s on it.”

“That’s a very strange non-answer, Luka-million.”

“Patrick gave it to me before my interview and asked me to deliver it.”

“Patrick, your boss’s assistant?”

“Yes.”

Gomez looked from the drive to the bruises Luke hadn’t been able to hide. “Why would a corporate trainer be asked to deliver something people are willing to kill for?”

“I don’t know yet.”

The answer was true, even if it wasn’t complete. Luke had spent years keeping his work separate from the rest of his life. The lies protected Gomez—or that was what Luke had always told himself.

They had not protected him today.

Gomez watched him for another moment. “You’re doing that thing.”

“What thing?”

“The one where you answer my question without actually telling me anything.”

Luke closed his fingers around the drive. “I’m telling you everything I know about what happened today.”

“That qualifier is doing a lot of work.”

Luke didn’t deny it.

Some of the humor left Gomez’s face. “Fine. What happened after Patrick gave it to you?”