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‘Nice to meet you, Enora,’ he says, taking a swig from his glass. ‘I’ll have Adelice escorted back to her quarters when we’re through.’
‘I’m happy to stay,’ she tells him.
Cormac chuckles like this is a bold suggestion and shakes his head. ‘That won’t be necessary.’
With one worried look, Enora steps back through the door, and I’m left alone in the room with the Guild’s official Coventry Ambassador.
‘Sit,’ he commands. ‘Cocktail?’
I shake my head.
‘Whatever.’ He sets down his glass and moments later, someone steps from the shadows to refill it.
I feel my breath catch and turn away, hoping Cormac didn’t notice my reaction.
‘Will you be requiring anything else?’ Jost asks him, and I feel heat creeping into my cheeks. I’m suddenly thankful for the heavy curtains.
‘Not at the moment, but stay close just in case,’ Cormac says in a dismissive tone.
‘Happily,’ Jost murmurs, but our eyes meet as he turns and I can see he’s anything but happy. A moment later he’s faded back out of sight.
‘So you’ve been causing trouble,’ Cormac informs me as he swirls his whisky.
I focus on the soft clink of ice against the glass, and say nothing.
‘Maela has overstepped her bounds as usual,’ he continues. ‘Technically, she’s your superior, you know.’
‘Technically?’ I ask in surprise.
‘Do you think we usually let girls who try to tunnel out of their houses live?’
‘So why me?’
‘Your skills assessment at your testing was off the charts,’ he admits, setting his glass down and leaning forward.
‘Why are you the only person who tells me anything?’ I ask, shifting back in my chair.
‘Well, I know more than anyone else.’
‘But they know more than they let on,’ I press. His cologne’s heavy musk is making my head swim, and I can’t hold back the thoughts I’ve locked in since my arrival.
‘They do,’ he admits, ‘but I have so much more power. It’s easier to share little secrets when you’re in charge.’
‘And you are?’ I ask him pointedly. ‘Then why tell me? You have no more reason to trust me than they do.’
‘No, I don’t,’ he says, ‘but unlike them, I can have you killed.’
‘And I thought we were finally becoming friends.’
Cormac laughs a deep, barking cackle. ‘You are delightful. I do hope I don’t have to kill you.’
‘Finally, something we can agree on.’
He reaches out and places his warm hand on my knee. ‘You could be the most powerful girl here if you start playing your cards right.’
I shift my leg away and cross it over the other.
‘I’m here to make sure Maela doesn’t kill you,’ he says, straightening back up in his chair, ‘and you aren’t making that job easy.’
