The sweet middle school teacher we’d first met had turned into a formidable negotiator and champion of our rights.
Amazing, isn’t she?Marius glowed.
“Do you have so little faith in their motivation?” Gordon challenged.
Mina shook her head. “I have all the faith in the world, but the clock is ticking, and your missions have a history of proving lethal to an unlucky few.” She paused, then nailed him with, “I’m sure you value the painting enough to justify such a reward.”
Everyone held their breath. Mina was definitely pushing Gordon. But he could hardly sayIt’s actually not that valuable to me after all.
“Of course. Ten thousand each,” he gritted out.
Bene’s eyes sparkled. Marius looked pretty happy too. Henrik wore his usualI don’t give a damnexpression.
But I grew nervous. A desperate warlock was a dangerous warlock. And Gordon was definitely desperate.
“That will be all, then,” Gordon announced with a gesture that said,Shoo. Then he grimaced. “Must I arrange for accommodations?”
Poor guy. No assistant to do his dirty work since Celeste left,Bene observed.
I begged to disagree.Wewere the ones doing his dirty work. What he lacked was an assistant to deal with the little things.
“We can do it,” Bene offered quickly.
“You two are welcome to use my guest apartment, of course.” Gordon singled out Gen and Mina.
Marius bared his teeth.
The sisters had probably shared many a sleepover in their lives, but now was not the time. Not with a territorial dragon mated to one of them.
My inner tiger flicked its tail.Dragons aren’t the only territorial ones.
I inched closer to Gen.
“You’re too kind,” Mina said. “But I’ll stay with Marius.”
Gordon gritted his teeth, while Gen’s eyes slid to me, then jumped away.
“That’s very generous,” she replied. “But it would be best if we could find a place big enough to accommodate all of us. You know, for more efficient planning and investigating.”
So, whew.
Gordon nodded. “I’ll keep you abreast of any new developments.”
“We’ll do the same,” Mina assured him.
“Just a moment, Monsieur Anand,” Gordon called as everyone filed out the door.
I froze.
“I’d like a quick word, please.” He curled a finger, beckoning me.
Gen’s eyes went wide, and Bene shot a not at all helpfulOh shitinto my mind.
This again?Marius grumbled.
I felt the same. Gordon had a way of cornering me for special favors that only made things worse.
“Yes, sir,” I said, more out of habit than respect.
