“A trade agreement is hardly selling the nation’s secrets, madam.” Sweeping a hand through his pale silver hair, cheeks stained a deep, embarrassing crimson the prime minister cleared his throat. “You’re being utterly ridiculous.”
Humming, the High Priestess shrugged. “Agree to disagree, but you’ll remind me to give thanks to the Goddess for ensuring those labs remain under my control, won’t you?”
Pinching the bridge of his nose, the prime minister tried one last time. “Trade keeps our economy growing. Surely you, of anyone present, can understand just how many lives could benefit from the ground-breaking prototypes Tritan’s scientists are producing in your basement?”
A smile flicked across her face. “I’m intimately aware of the good those products shall bring when they’ve moved beyond the prototype stage. I am also,” she continued, squeezing my father’s shoulder, “well aware of just how dangerous that technology has the potential to be in the wrong hands.”
The curator tented his fingers, leaning back in his chair. “I’m not sure I like what you’re suggesting, madam.”
With a snort, the High Priestess turned to leave. “Then I’ll leave you to nurse your wounded feelings. Come along, girls. Senator Tannovic?” she pressed, snapping her fingers. “A word?”
Clearing his throat, my father shuffled the papers before him and got to his feet, watched by the shocked faces of his coworkers and insulted guests alike. “Very well, then. If you’ll excuse me, ladies. Gentlemen.”
But without err, my eyes returned to the captain’s. To that infuriating smirk and the stolen chain glimmering about his neck.
Lips tilting, he rubbed the bare spot on his right pinky finger. Taunting me to indulge, just once more…
A hand landed upon my shoulder—fingers biting deep enough to haul me from those inky depths. Jaw flexing, my father propelled me through the door after the High Priestess, neither speaking nor meeting my eye.
The instant the door whispered shut behind us, the High Priestess whirled. “Have you lost your bloody mind, Senator?”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Annabelle. We need a moment, if you could…”
“Of course, Your Grace. I’ll return to the temple at once,” she said, curtsying. And without a single word or backward glance, fled her mistress’ wrath, earning the jealousy of everyone she left behind.
The High Priestess stepped up to my father, undeterred by his height advantage, her eyes and ki blazing with ice-cold fury. “Are you aware of my station?”
“Well yes, of course. But I don’t—”
“Then you are aware there are consequences in place for those who would seek to keep a Priestess from the temple?”
“Now hold on just a moment, Your Grace. I—”
Pressing closer, her voice dropped several octaves. “Are you aware, Senator Tannovic, just how close to the edge your daughter is? She very nearly lost herself in the market today. Very nearly caused an international incident and could have started a bloodywar,if I hadn’t been close enough to stop her from draining a Caledonian soldier dry.”
Swallowing, his breath coming in shallow pants, my father persisted. “I’m quite sure I don’t—Mila wouldn’t—”
“The time for deception has long passed, you arrogant fool. We areluckyI sensed what she is before any harm was done. And I don’t care if I have to use force to do it, Senator,” the High Priestess hissed, seizing my elbow. “But this girl is coming with me.”
Chapter 7
“Going withyou?”my father spluttered, matching the High Priestess’ determined stride toward the exit. “To the temple?”
Fingers tight on my elbow, she snorted. “That is generally where I conduct my business with the Priestesses, yes.”
Goddess. The temple. Where my secrets would no longer be mine, and I’d be forced into a life of servitude to a deity I had no faith in—my fault. All of it. For succumbing to the temptation to stretch my dark wings, and allowing myself to be manipulated by one Captain Asher Rawlings of his Majesty’s Imperial Army. Thieving betrayer.
“I presume,” my father said, wrapping his hand around my free elbow, “we’re not being given a choice in the matter.”
“That you presume my invitation extends toyouis remarkably forward, Senator.”
For a moment, as they flanked me through the narrow hall, he said nothing—though his grip tightened and his cheeks flushed with so casual an insult.
“Oh, relax,” the High Priestess drawled, eyes twinkling. “I’m teasing. How about a private tour of the temple and all her many wonders, hmm? So you might see for yourselves we Priestesses are not hiding nefarious evil behind our walls.”
“And here I was, under the impression the temple was off limits to those not counted among your ranks.”
