“Would you make a bargain with me, Mister Soren?”
The Djinn cocked his head. “Perhaps.”
Tess asked, “Would you make a bargain with me in front of Malphas?”
FIFTEEN
Tess, no,” Xavier said. “No.”
She didn’t look at him or react. All her attention appeared focused on the Djinn in front of her, while the folded paper shook visibly in her clenched hand.
Soren replied, “I believe I would. Provided the terms are acceptable, of course.”
“Goddammit.” Xavier slipped into Spanish, and a stream of expletives poured out of his mouth.
Julian gave him a strange look. He said, “I’m inclined to agree with her, Xavier. She started this. She can finish it—or at least try to.”
The implication in that was obvious to everyone.
“I’d like to be clear about one thing.” Tess’s voice turned tight. “I didn’t start this.”
Julian’s expression cooled, but he said, “Point taken.”
Soren asked, “Shall I summon Malphas here, or do you prefer some other location?”
Rubbing the back of his neck, Julian replied, “I’d just as soon have this happen here in my quarters, where we can keep it private.”
“Very well.” Soren looked at Tess. “Are you ready?”
“Almost,” Tess said. “I need an envelope.”
“Fine.” Looking exasperated, Julian strode out of the room.
Xavier stood when Tess did, his hands clenched. Ignoring Soren, he said telepathically, Tess, don’t do this.
She shook her head, looking as determined as he’d ever seen her. I have to.
No, you don’t, he growled. Besides, I won’t let you.
She gave him another remarkably beautiful, complex smile. You don’t really have a choice.
He snapped, You haven’t even explained what you intend to do. We haven’t talked over options.
Julian and Soren have made it clear we don’t have any options.
Julian strode back into the room, holding a manila envelope. He handed it to Tess, and she slipped the folded paper inside and sealed it.
Xavier couldn’t stand it. Not caring that Julian and Soren stood nearby and watched, he grabbed her by the shoulders. He demanded, I’m supposed to protect you. Where did that go?
Something happened to me over the last six weeks. Tess laid a hand on his chest. I internalized what you and Raoul have been teaching me, and the conversations in my head really did change. I’m grateful you want to protect me. That means so much to me—much more than you can know. But I’m going to protect myself now. I need to do this, Xavier, and for more than one reason. Malphas needs to know this comes from me.
Taking hold of his wrists, she gently removed his hands from her shoulders. Then she said aloud to Soren, “I’m ready.”
Soren said in a voice filled with Power, “Malphas.”
If Xavier could have torn that name out of the air, he would have. Silence fell in the room, and it took on a listening quality.
A maelstrom arrived, filling open space in the room like a tornado springing from nothing. It coalesced into the shape of a handsome, golden-haired man whose eyes were starred with Power every bit as strong as Soren’s.
The handsome man’s shining gaze swept the room, taking in everyone present and coming to rest on Tess. Fury suffused his expression. He looked so hostile Xavier took an instinctive step forward toward her. She might not want his protection, but by God, she was going to get it.
Snapping out words like he was biting the air, Malphas said, “Well, isn’t this an interesting gathering. Both the Nightkind King and the head of the Elder tribunal—Tess, you’ve been surprisingly efficient at striking up new acquaintances.”
“I’ve worked hard at it,” she said between her teeth.
Malphas clenched and unclenched his fists, and Xavier’s gaze fell to track the movement. “Soren,” Malphas hissed. “What are you doing with my ex-employee?”
“I don’t converse with pariahs.” If Soren’s voice had been cold before, now it was a single spike of deadly ice.
“I find that inconsistent, since you’re the one who summoned me here. Whatever stories this human might have told you, they have nothing to do with Djinn law. But you already know that, or you would have gathered many more Djinn to meet with me.”
Malphas strode forward, his attention turning back to Tess. The veneer of humanity he wore thinned, and details of his appearance grew disconnected. He still had two eyes, a mouth and nose, cheekbones and jawline, but none of the features looked like they comprised an actual face, and sheer raw Power shown out of him like light from a lantern.
“Tell me, Tess,” he said. “How have you enjoyed the dreams I’ve sent you?”