He taps between my breasts, right on my heart. “You have an overinflated opinion of your value.”
“No, I don’t. I know exactly what I have to offer.”
As he assesses me, I continue to stare at the diamond on his cravat, and in the silence that follows, I think of the number of times I have run from people back at my village. I’m not running now—or hiding. And with this other part of me awakened, I don’t believe I’ll ever run away again. From anybody.
His finger continues downward, to the waistband of the red skirting. “Tell me, what is your name.”
“Sorrel.”
“You may call me Thale.” He drops his hand to his side. “I’m curious, what is this favor you’re willing to risk your life for.”
I start to do up the buttons he’s released. “I want your protection.”
The top hat tilts to the side. “I would think your husband does a fine enough job of watching over you.”
“It’s not for me.”
“Interesting.” He indicates himself. “So you come here, to a man you do not know and should not trust, and offer yourself in exchange for protection for somebody else.”
“I told you, I’m not offering myself.”
“Oh, that’s right. Information.” More of that chuckling. “Tell me, fair lady, what can you possibly tell me that I don’t already know—”
“How you’re going to die.”
Fifty-FiveThe Acceptance.
Thale freezes for a moment. Then his laughter rumbles around the room and he breaks off from me, returning to the decanters.
“You know, I was surprised when your husband visited one of my ladies earlier today.” He looks over at me as he pours himself another measure. “But I am getting a very clear reason why. You are beautiful, but delusional—and tedious with all this misplaced self-possession.”
He drinks some of his second whiskey, and comes back with the glass. “I doubt sex with you is very much fun.”
I think of Merc leaving the bed we shared and choke up that this stranger may be telling the truth. But now is not the time to fall into my own emotions.
When I make no response, he shakes his head. “You are serious, then.”
“You have heard of me,” I say softly. “I am whispered of in the darkness, the one who knows when the time for dying comes, the one who brings the bairns back from death, the girl who can harness the magic that should not be used.You know who I am.”
This time, as Thale goes still, he doesn’t even breathe. I know this because that diamond that’s twinkled even in this low lighting to the beat of his respiration offers no flashing. Then he jerks the glass to his lips and throws his head back.
“I don’t believe you.” He goes to the bar once more and puts the glass down. When he turns back around, his right hand is tucked in close to his hip. “There is no such female.”
“Then why do you have your hand on your firearm.”
Gone is all trace of joking in him now, as well as any sexual impulse: He becomes utterly serious. And I truly know I’ve put my life on the line.
“You’re smart to have this lair to retreat to.” I glance around the room.“With the amount of money and power you have? You’re the king in this den of iniquity, but you’re also the prime target. If you know what your death is, you could prevent it. Protect yourself. And I’m the only person who can provide you with the how and when.”
Abruptly, he leans back against the bar and crosses his arms over his chest. “I’ll say it again. I don’t believe you.”
“Then meet my gaze.” I shrug. “Whatever do you have to lose? A big, strong man such as yourself, surely you’re not afraid of a little woman like me.”
“Of course not.”
Except he comes no closer. He stays where he is.
He will not be able to resist, however. He will have to know—or at the very least, hear what I have to tell him, even if he thinks it’s a lie.
