Page 203 of Damsel in Disguise

“There has been a development with the archival project,” I say, my voice settling into the same calm tone I use during lectures. “I need access to the faculty records before the department opens. I could use another pair of eyes.”

A pause. I can almost picture her frowning into the darkness.

“At this hour?”

“The university network will be overloaded once classes begin. It will be easier to finish the work beforehand.”

“Uhh… okay, so where should I meet you?”

The Crown doesn’t waver his gaze from me. Which makes me understand what this is—he isn’t testing her, but me.

“Come to my faculty office,” I tell her. “The east wing will still be empty. Bring the notes you compiled last week. I think you were right about the inconsistencies in the data.”

She perks up immediately, all the sleepiness gone in an instant. “You actually checked them?”

“I wouldn’t have called if I hadn’t,” I try to smile.

Unexpectedly, it doesn’t come as naturally as it used to.

A quiet laugh escapes her. Sleep still clings to her voice.

“I’ll be there.”

“Alright,” I say quietly and end the call to stop pretending.

The Crown finally inclines his head. “No instructions to come alone?”

“There’s no need.”

The masked man studies me for a long moment.

“I was beginning to wonder whether she had made you forget what you truly are,” there’s a faint trace of satisfaction in his voice.

That’s something I wonder too. So I decide to not answer. I just stare blankly at him.

I’ve long since learned that the most dangerous lies are the ones a man tells himself.

And right now, I can’t possibly tell whether I called Ariella to save both of us… or because some dark, selfish part of me wanted to see her.

57. DECEPTION

ariella

Alistair sounded exactly like himself—measured, composed, irritatingly formal.

Nothing about the conversation hinted at another locked office, another impossible proposition, or another attempt to drag me into whatever hidden world seemed to exist just beneath the surface of Oxford. Or whatever happened last night.

Unfortunately, Adrian doesn’t share my interpretation.

He’s hellbent on not letting me leave at all. At this rate, convincing him seems like another pain in the ass.

“I am going to university,” I remind him for what has to be the fourth time. “Not disappearing off the face of the earth.”

His expression remains unchanged.

“You received a call from a man who got you killed.”

“He also happens to supervise my research.”