“The ones who find out.” He mopped at the floor without looking up. “Victor’s waiting. Conference Room Seven.”
Of course he was.
She knocked once and entered.
Victor stood by the windows, hands clasped behind his back. Morning light caught his profile, too precise, too still, like a photograph of something pretending to be human.
“You’re early,” he said without turning.
“By two minutes.”
“Two minutes.” Now he turned. His eyes found hers immediately. “So. You’ve decided.”
Ava lifted her chin. “I have questions first.”
“Naturally.” He gestured to a chair.
She remained standing.
“If I stay, what exactly am I agreeing to?”
“Employment. A salary that eliminates your loans within six months. Access to knowledge most humans never dream of.” He moved closer. “The chance to do things that would seem impossible anywhere else.”
“That’s the pitch you gave Friday. I want specifics.”
“Before we continue.” He stopped. “My instruction when you left. Did you follow it?”
“What instruction?”
“Did you speak of my offer, or my nature, to anyone?”
She froze.
“Ah.” His expression cooled. “You did.”
“I thought you were just…”
“Being clever? I told you, Ms. Feng. I don’t joke.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means you’ve put yourself in a difficult position.” He moved to the window, presenting his back to her. “Revealing the firm’s secrets, even in private, is a breach of your employment contract. Clause forty-seven. The partners will find out eventually. They always do.”
She swallowed.
“I won’t say anything, of course.” He examined something outside the glass. “You’re free to leave if you wish. But if you stay, you’ll need protection.”
“From who?”
“Management.” He turned. “Lilith in particular. She takes confidentiality very seriously.”
“And you couldn’t stop her?”
“Demon law is complex. Hierarchies, precedents, formal challenges.” He paused. “But there is one protection even she can’t circumvent. An existing claim.”
“A claim.”
“If you’re under another demon’s protection, she can’t touch you without issuing a formal challenge. And challenges have costs.”
