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“Noted,” he said, then exhaled as he picked up his glass. For a moment, he swirled the alcohol around in it as he studied both of them. No emotions were on display as he weighed his next move or response.
The silence elongated to the point the tension grew palpable. Even the air seemed to buzz like a power line had been downed and it danced and sparked between all of us.
This hadn’t been my mirror’s plan. Starling changed the game. Right call? Maybe.
I wanted it to be.
Liam had played this game for a decade or more, dancing to this man’s whims, from brutal fights to sometimes executions. I wanted him free. Starling was on my side.
Our side.
“Then let us open negotiations. If you want this seat at a more level table, I can acknowledge you have earned the right to demand it.”
The concession seemed almost too good to be true.
“Thanks for your permission,” Liam stated in a droll, almost dry tone. “Wasn’t asking.”
“I’m aware. You have demanded it, and you don’t give a damn about my thoughts on the subject. However…” His gaze cut to Emersyn again. “You want something from me, and that means I am in a position to negotiate.”
Exhaling, my mirror picked up his drink. It was the first signal that the conversation traveled in the direction he wanted it to go.
“The question is—whatdo you want?” King swallowed a mouthful of alcohol before setting the glass aside. “Or perhaps, more fitting, what do youneedfrom me?”
Move.
Countermove.
Concession.
Negotiation.
The moment stretched out again as my mirror and the King stared at each other. The locked battle of wills seemed intensely private. The metal of the knife warmed in my palm as I waited for the final resolution. There were three exits from the dining room. Two are more accessible than the third. One is safer than the other of those two accessible ones.
If we had to get out of here, we could. One of us to get Starling out, the other to cover our escape. I didn’t have to look at my other half to know he understood all of those steps as well as I did.
The stare-off lasted long enough that the waitstaff came by to see if we needed anything more. Neither King nor Liam answered, but Starling said, “No, I believe we have everything we need for the moment.”
It was the moment that broke through the contest of wills. Both men looked at her, and King nodded.
“You want me to prove something to you,” King said abruptly. “Name the task.”
When Liam would have opened his mouth, the King raised a hand and shook his head.
“Your girlfriend threw down the gauntlet, Bishop. I will allow Emersyn to demand the boon.” His expression sobered from mock amusement to deadly serious. “Have a care with what you ask for, Emersyn. I am a man of my word.”
The tension snapped taut once more, and Liam flicked a glimpse at me. The unspokenwatch himresonated plainly. I nodded. Then, and only then, did he glance at Starling.
From this angle, I couldn’t make out that silent conversation. I could only hope their connection had deepened enough for them to understand each other.
“My uncle,” Emersyn said abruptly, and I didn’t smile. Because that was perfect.
“What about him?”
“I want to know where he is and how to get to him.” The request seemed simple, almost too simple.
“Would you like me to just execute the problem?” Challenge offered.
“IfI wanted you to do that,” she countered. “I would have asked for that. Accurate location and possible access points are what I want right now.”
