Three uneven stars carved themselves into my flesh. They grew from within, black as the space between constellations, edges sharp enough to cut—searing the inside of my wrist, where my pulse beat frantically beneath.
The pain drowned beneath the surge of power wrapping around mine. Something shifted between one heartbeat and the next—not just the binding settling into place, but something stirring deeper inside me.
“Each will fade and disappear with a favor marked complete.” His eyes hadn’t left my wrist. His voice was rougher than before. “Complete all three, and you will be free.”
Free. The word felt like a lie even as he said it. I stared at the marks on my skin—marks that would fade with service, proof of what I’d just sold. Three stars. Three favors. Three pieces of my will that now belonged to him.
The pain was nothing to the weight of what I’d promised.
“And what will happen, if I don’t complete them?”
He smiled. I clutched my wrist.
He set my glove on my palm. “Now that we have that decided, I’ll need to see your younger brother’s rooms and belongings.”
“Tomorrow—”
“Now.”
“Now?” I spluttered. “It’s the middle of the night. If I’m seen—”
“We have less of a chance of being seen now.” He rapped the trap. “And you need to gather your possessions.”
“Gather my possessions?” Anticipation—I was going tosaveKennen—mixed with fear.
“I’ll need you close.” He uncurled from the seat as the carriage made a third turn, and our weak house wards brushed my magic again. Rising to his full-seated height, he looked down at me with his heat-provoking face and cold eyes. “You will move into a house of mine. Somewhere you can come and go as I please.”
“What?” I choked out. “With you?”
“You just said your brother’s life was worth more than your marital prospects. Seeing as you aren’t worried about your reputation—”
“I didn’t say I wasn’t worried about it,” I hissed.
He pulled his gloves on, tugging one finger at a time. “So leaving your home at any time of night wouldn’t attract attention? No matter what you’re wearing? You could stroll outside and no one would say or notice a thing? Excellent.”
Spellwork against servants was one thing. Spellwork against gilded social climbers actively charm-combing neighborhood thoroughfares for gossip while looking to be seen was something entirely different.
I envisioned walking through any Gildon square in something entirely inappropriate. They had made their disdain vocal today and yesterday. What would they say if Noblefollowed through on his threats? “Where is the house located, and who will be with us?”
Fingers straightened each covered digit. “Midtown, nearer the East End. There is talk of renaming your brother the Carowell Ripper, since two of the murders have taken place there. We should hunt there first, don’t you agree?”
His mocking tone made my natural defiance rise. “What staff do you have in place?”
“Staff? None. It will be just the two of us.”
My jaw dropped. Nothing resembling a word emerged.
“You are in luck. I’ve just finished a case and can devote myself completely to yours. And you…interest me, Marietta Winters.” The door opened. “Gather your belongings.”
“I can’t stay in a house with justyou.” The words were out before sense could stop them—an idiotic response, with the talk of my battered reputation and lack of marital prospects.
At least my belligerence continued to survive.
“I assure you that my tastes don’t run to the underfed. You have no cause for concern on my account.”
He barely spared me a once-over as he exited the carriage, and it stung my vanity, little though I thought I still possessed.
“You are a remarkably rude and awful man,” I said as I exited after him and ascended the walk. “I have no idea why I am even listening to you. You have done nothing with which to give me confidence.”
