Lucas doesn’t appear to give a shit about that. He points a finger at me. “We stay together.”
I wish I could see Valen’s face. It would give me some hint of how to act. His voice gives nothing away. “You’re in no position to argue, magician.”
Lucas grits his teeth. “Together.”
The way Lucas’ shoulders square sends lightning straight to my feet. I bolt, sliding in front of Valen. A spark of magic flashes in his eyes, his defenses flaring up. Magic hums in the hall, stinging my tongue when I gasp. My hands flash up in a placating gesture. I must be out of my mind to move so quickly in this situation. Lucas doesn’t help. His rings flare, preparing for a confrontation.
My breath shivers, sweat dripping down my spine. That was too close. “Can I talk to him?”
The magic in the air vibrates in frustration at the buildup. It demands to be unleashed, the walls creaking from the building pressure. Valen’s gaze doesn’t waver from me. “I’m not leaving you alone with him. He will go into that room. I will ward it and ifyoubehave, I will let him back out.”
I suck in my breath. “You think I’d betray you.”
“I don’t take chances, especially not with their kind. Perhaps you have forgotten, but it was as recently as our grandparents’ generation that saw whole family lines extinguished by the magicians’ lust for power. Now, tell him to get into that room before I show him how much of a choice magic thieves have in this Domain.”
Then I see it. Below the cool exterior and flirtations is a building paranoia. His patience is stretched. He’s on edge. And I think I know why.
My eyes slide along the hall. Interesting.
“Lucas, get in the room.” The pressure builds and my eyes lock on Valen. “You have totrust meon this.”
Valen’s eye twitches and his throat works.
I count the heartbeats. One… two… three… and then release a slow breath when Lucas swears colorfully. I track the stomping of his boots. The door slams.
Magic stings my skin. The warding Valen places over the door is thick, and I have no doubt he’ll add even more once I’mlocked away, too. It would take Lucas time to get through so many.
My smile stretches. “Alone at last.”
His shoulders tense ever so slightly. I can practically see his mind churning, trying to solve me. His eyes are sharp, but he doesn’t remove his hands from his pockets.
The silence stretches and I allow it. I want him to feel the tension.
Valen’s head tilts. “I believe it’s time for a little honesty, don’t you think?”
I mimic his position and slide my hands into my pockets. The movement tenses him further. I’m positive no one else could notice, but I do.
His jaw ticks. “Why do you need the amulet?”
Annoyance flashes in his eyes when I hum and say, “How about this? We swap a truth for a truth… Or do you prefer the game two truths and a lie? I’m open to either.” My smile takes an edge.
His jaw flickers, shoulders tightening. “I’d ask you to swear it, but I’m not sure about the honor of a thief.”
I shift my weight to my other hip. “Oh, Valen. I’m not the one who betrayed promises. You promised to always be by my side and you chose to abandon me the moment your father did.” His eyes flash, anger bubbling. My head tilts. “Speaking of the snake, where is Vincentius?”
His throat works.
I pace forward, my narrow hips rolling. “Because I think he’s not here. In fact…” I step up to his chest, my smile wide. “I think you’re all alone in this house.”
The seconds tick by and neither of us dare to blink. I wait, calm and assured. Then his gaze shifts with unease and victory flares within me. “Oh,Valen. What a predicament you’re in.Letting me slip into the estate is one thing, but a magician, too? The embarrassment. What will Vincentius say?”
His teeth click.
“You must really need my cooperation now, don’t you? Or are you going to try to force me into that room?” My eyes glow, the green reflecting against his face. “Do you think you can?”
The hall grows colder. My breath fogs before me and his eyes glow near-white with the magic. So much power. Like the tip of an iceberg. I would love nothing more than to plunge in the cold depths to see how much is hidden beneath the surface. When he speaks, frost dusts my shoes. “I don’t believe we need to go to such extremes, since I already have your lover under my control.”
“He’s not my lover.”
