Thalia smiled. "You always say that," she remarked, her tone light but knowing.
"Because it generally isn't," he replied, one hand braced against the edge of his desk as though it might keep his patience intact.
She leaned back comfortably in the chair, settling herself as if she intended to remain there for the duration.
"You are my brother," she said patiently, tilting her head to one side. "Seraphine is one of my dearest friends." A mischievous smile tugged at her lips as she watched him. "I therefore consider it very much my business."
Damien exhaled slowly, dragging his hand down before letting it fall to his side. His sister possessed an extraordinary ability to remain cheerful whilst marching directly into matters that did not concern her. It was both one of her greatest strengths and one of his greatest frustrations.
"You will receive no explanation," he replied.
"I see." She nodded as though he had confirmed precisely what she had expected. "Then I shall simply remain seated until you decide otherwise."
Damien stared at her. "You cannot possibly intend to wait all day."
"I brought embroidery." She reached into the basket she had somehow smuggled into his study and triumphantly withdrew a hoop and colored threads.
Damien blinked. "You came prepared?"
"I have known you for years."
Despite everything weighing upon him, the corner of his mouth almost twitched. Almost. He sighed in surrender.
"There are matters," he said quietly, "that require my immediate attention."
Thalia did not interrupt.
"They concern Seraphine."
She frowned. "In what way?" Thalia asked, leaning forward slightly in her chair.
"I cannot tell you," Damien said.
Her eyebrows rose. "You cannot..."
"I cannot." He cut the words off with a sharp shake of his head.
She studied him carefully, her expression losing some of its earlier amusement. "Do they place her in danger?"
Damien remained silent for several moments, one hand braced against the edge of his desk before he answered at last. "They might."
The humor vanished from Thalia's face. She slowly placed the embroidery back into the basket. "Damien."
His name carried none of its usual teasing warmth.
"What has happened?"
He rubbed a weary hand across his face. "There are matters outside respectable Society that have begun following me home," Damien said, dragging a hand through his hair as though he might physically sweep the problem away.
Thalia looked thoroughly puzzled, her brows drawing together as she studied him. "I do not understand," she said.
"I know," Damien replied with a grim little shake of his head.
"And you cannot explain?" she asked.
"No," he said at once, turning back towards the window as though the view might offer him some mercy.
He hated lying to his sister, yet revealing the truth would expose far more than merely himself. He had spent years ensuring his family's hands remained clean while he alone dealt with the darker corners of commerce.
