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My fingers dig into the wall.
Thessaly watches him for a second. “You need her voice?”
Malgrave says nothing.
“That wasn’t part of our agreement.”
“Your agreement was that the siren would be returned to the Conclave.”
“And in exchange, you would give me access to what you promised.”
Malgrave steps closer to her. “Then I suggest you make sure Echo survives long enough for both of us to get what we want.”
Thessaly’s pale eyes narrow. “Careful, Hellwarden. You came to me because you needed something only my kind can do.”
“And you answered because I offered something you’ve wanted for twelve years.”
That shuts her up.
Goddammit! He knows exactly where to push her.
Thessaly’s jaw tightens before she lifts her chin. “Three days. After that, I bring Echo to you first. You do whatever you need to do with her voice, then she comes home with me.”
Home?
Fuck no.
Malgrave inclines his head. “As agreed.”
Except I hear it, the faint pull underneath those two words.
Thessaly turns toward the portal, her dress sweeping through the water gathered around her feet, but Malgrave’s voice stops her before she crosses.
“Thessaly.” She looks back. “Do not damage her throat.”
Every hair on my body stands up.
Thessaly holds his gaze for a long second before stepping through. The portal starts folding in behind her, water rushing upward as the opening narrows. Malgrave remains on the other side, nothing but gray skin and black eyes through the shrinking gap.
For half a second, his head turns…
Toward me.
My heart stops.
There’s a wall between us, and he can’t see me.
He shouldn’t even know I’m fucking here, but those black eyes stay pointed straight at where I’m standing.
Then the portal snaps shut.
Water crashes to the floor, and I press my hand flat against the wall, letting it take some of my weight.
The Conclave gave me three days to decide whether I’m someone’s property.
Malgrave needs my voice for some reason.
And Thessaly is bargaining with him over me.
