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The fire has been let down on the hearth and the embers glow, smoking out.

The man gives the fire a poke with an iron rake. “What can I do for you?”

“I need Oil,” Tin says. “As much as you can spare.”

“Pure or diluted?”

“Both.”

The man glances from Tin to me and narrows his eyes. “That her?”

“Never mind her,” Tin answers.

“Name’s Basil. Yes, like the herb.” He comes forward and offers me his hand and for reasons I can’t fathom, I look at Tin. He gives me one nod of his head.

I shake.

“Dorothy.”

“Nice to meet you, Dorothy.” He whistles. “You’ve got the Great and Terrible Man Himself all in a tizzy, eh?” He winks at me. “I would love to know how you managed that. No one ruffles the feathers of the Wizard these days.”

I’m not sure what it says about me that butterflies are currently spinning in my stomach after hearing someone else’s observations about my effects on Rook.

I’m sure there is hubris there.

Basil turns away from us and goes to a cabinet on the far wall, set between two doors that I assume lead to a bathroom and bedroom. He twists the latch and pulls the doors open, the old hinges creaking. There’s glassware inside, a few trinkets made of ceramic and wood and bone. He fetches one of the bone pieces and twists. The bone splits open and the end pops off, revealing a key.

The key fits neatly into the lock on the cabinet’s bottom doors and when he pulls those open, several bottles are revealed inside.

Bending down, he starts reading labels. “There was a town meeting earlier tonight about the two of you. The provost was trying to take your side, but the town wasn’t having it. Most of them would suck the Wizard’s dick if he asked them.”

My face burns. Not at his language, but at the sentiment. Because when Rook and I were in that earthen tunnel, I might have done the same if we’d had the time.

I’ve only been with Edward in that way, but I’m absolutely certain I’m damn good at it. Edward can’t last longer than five minutes when he’s buried in my mouth.

The Wizard would be fucking begging me for—

“Dorothy,” Tin says.

“Hmm?”

“I asked if you’d carry the cigarettes.”

“Oh. Of course.”

The heat in my face intensifies.

I should not be thinking about sucking the Wizard’s cock. Not least of all because he stabbed me, betrayed me, then stole my dog, and because I just fucked his brother not less than three hours ago.

Tin hands me his case of cigarettes, freeing up his pocket for more Oil. I’m not sure how long he plans to go on the run, but by the looks of the Oil stock, it’s a while.

Dammit. I wasn’t built for this life. I don’t need much, but a bed, a comfy quilt, and good food are nonnegotiable.

Speaking of food …

“How do you plan on getting out of here?” Basil asks as he locks up his cabinet.

“We have an out,” Tin says.