Girard moved slightly, shifting his weight and hooking his thumbs into his belt as well. Mirroring Nicholas’ posture, and facing him squarely. “If you will not give us answers or information, I will report back to the Conclave that there was no co-operation here. The Conclave will then decide how to act.”
“What does that mean?” Nicholas demanded, brows lowering.
“I don’t answer to you,” Girard said, in an exact replica of Nicholas’ disdainful tone. Hallie held her breath, wondering how the human would react, and wondering if this stupid power struggle was why Nicholas had chosen to come here on his own, with no other witnesses.
Of course, him being in this room on his own also meant that he could spin any tale he wanted of how the conversation had gone. Her eyes narrowed a little as she looked at the human. He was furious. That much was genuine. But not stupid. Or not completely stupid, at least. She had a feeling that she was missing something important.
“You’ll answer my questions or you won’t make it off the island,” Nicholas told Girard.
Hallie’s breath caught in her throat at the open threat. She tensed, ready to reach for her weapon or to defend herself. But Girard didn’t move, just kept watching Nicholas as if he’d expected the challenge.
Movement outside caught Hallie’s attention and she saw that Nicholas had not, in fact, come here alone. There were four men filing through the gate and then along the path up to the house’s front door. Hallie didn’t recognise any of them from their earlier encounter at the settlement gates. All four were carrying weapons, muzzles pointed at the ground, and clad in the same tough, hard-wearing clothing as the men at the gates.She glanced across at Girard and saw that he’d also noticed the new arrivals.
Girard didn’t show any concern as he focused back on Nicholas, continuing in a calm tone. “The Conclave does not react well to its agents being disrespected.”
“Very brave in front of your woman, aren’t you?” Nicholas sneered, as Hallie caught the sound of the house’s front door opening and heavy boots coming into the building.
Hallie laughed. The sound took her by surprise, but she was so taken aback by the change of tack that she couldn’t help it. Girard’s mouth pulled up in a half-smile that didn’t reach his eyes.
“You’re not the first bully we’ve come across,” Hallie told Nicholas in a cheerful voice. “Now, do be sensible, and give us some information, won’t you?”
“I won’t be spoken to like that,” Nicholas said, spots of colour rising in his face. “And you would do well to remember where you are standing.”
Behind Nicholas the room door opened and the four men filed into the room, weapons still pointed towards the floor. From the way they moved in silence to flank Nicholas, two on either side, she thought that they’d done this before. But from the way their eyes widened as they looked around, Hallie guessed that they hadn’t been into the house, or at least this room, before now. From what she’d seen of the rest of New Hope so far, she guessed that most of the population didn’t live in this sort of luxury. So Nicholas relied on the men for muscle when he needed them, but didn’t let them into his own house. That fit with what she’d seen of the man so far.
Nicholas’ temper faded a little and smirk lifted his mouth as the armed men came to a halt. Gunners, Hallie remembered. That was the local term.
“Saints, he’s tiresome,” Hallie said, not quite under her breath. She was tempted to make a comment about how brave Nicholas was with all the men around him but managed to keep that behind her teeth. Instead, she turned to Girard. “I think we should look elsewhere for information and answers.”
“I agree. Didn’t the man at the gate say something about a town hall?” Girard agreed. He took a step towards the door, bringing him closer to Nicholas and the armed men.
None of the men moved, Nicholas sharpening his glare at Girard.
“I will have you arrested,hochlen,” Nicholas stated.
“On what grounds?” Girard asked, as if confused. “You won’t talk to us. Fine. We’ll find someone who will. But, frankly, I’m out of patience with this posturing.” Girard’s voice was hard and flat. Not worried by the threat of all the guns. Hallie had to admire his outward courage. Her own heart was thudding, aware of just how dangerous the situation was. Every gun carried a potentially lethal load.
Colour rose in Nicholas’ face. Hallie’s stomach tightened, her pulse picking up. He’d thought that the sight of armed men would intimidate Girard, or her. He’d made a miscalculation. She might be frightened, but she wasn’t going to let this bully intimidate her. Even if she’d been on her own. But even if he knew he’d made a mistake, Nicholas wouldn’t want to lose face, especially not in front of his men, and that made him dangerous. A spark lit in his eyes, one Hallie had seen from time to time in her line of work. A wish for violence.
“Take them,” Nicholas told the armed men.
The four raised their weapons, muzzles now pointing at Hallie and Girard. There was no hesitation in the movement, as if they were used to obeying Nicholas. Or had received similar orders before. Which gave Hallie some idea of how Nicholas managed to stay in control of New Hope. This particular group of gunnerslooked as if they knew what they were doing with the weapons. Not like the foolish young man who’d run around the settlement waving his gun earlier. And they were all standing far too close for comfort. Even she wouldn’t miss her target at this range.
Girard stayed where he was. Hallie followed his cue. He had much more experience dealing with armed men, after all.
“I am a representative of the Conclave,” Girard said in a cold, hard voice. “Violence or threats against me are threats and violence against the Conclave, and the Conclave will respond.”
From the audible hitch in breath around the room, Hallie thought that Girard’s point had been fully understood by at least some of the armed men. Nicholas didn’t seem to care. His lip curled back.
“The Conclave has no authority here,” Nicholas said, scorn in his voice. Hallie’s truth sense detected the lie, even though she was sure no one else in the room would be able to sense it. Nicholas had almost completely convinced himself that his words were correct.
“The Conclave has authority everywhere,” Girard corrected, voice still cold. “It has chosen not to intervene here before now. That could change.”
“Are you threatening me,hochlen?” Nicholas asked, temper rising.
“By no means. Just setting out the facts. The Conclave will expect a true accounting from me,” Girard answered.
“They’ll have to find you first,” Nicholas said, and reached for the weapon held by the man nearest to him, dragging it out of the man’s hand and pointing it straight at Girard’s head.
