She said, Excuse me?
The headaches made him terse. He wanted to snap at everything and everyone in sight. Through an exercise in self-discipline, he managed to keep himself from biting her head off. I want some assurance that you and the Djinn are not going to cause me any problems on this trip. You need to convince me of that.
She raised her eyebrows, her expression turning cold. Or what?
He raised his eyebrows as well, mirroring her expression. Or I will get rid of both of you and tell Carling that I need replacements.
Her astonishment turned to anger. My resume and recommendations speak for themselves. And why on earth would you presume that I could possibly predict what Phaedra may or may not choose to do?
He crossed his arms and rested his aching head against the back of his seat. Clearly you two know each other.
Not that well, she said grimly.
I find that hard to believe, he said. You were certainly close enough for her to transport you to the meeting, and for you to call her a dimwit and tell her not to make an ass of herself.
Just like that, her quick anger faded to what seemed to be a mixture of embarrassment and exasperation. She heaved a sigh and pinched the bridge of her slender nose. She made me angry, and it just fell out of my mouth.
So the auburn glints in that sleek chestnut hair of hers indicated a temper. All right, perhaps now he was amused. Somewhat.
He said, his mental voice dry, Do you often get angry at Djinn and tell them off without fear of repercussion?
No, she told him emphatically. In fact, I met Phaedra for the first time this week. Her father is in a relationship with a good friend of mine. Because of that connection, I’ve become one of Phaedra’s associates by default. She wasn’t supposed to transport me. I was going to take a taxi to the meeting. She did it to be irritating. Her expression turned wry. I’m pretty sure she won’t zap me for calling her a dimwit. Grace would have something to say to Khalil about that. In spite of any possible evidence to the contrary, I think Phaedra cares what her father thinks.
Various pieces of information fell into place. Grace Andreas was the Oracle, a position that came with an inherited Power, which was passed down from an ancient line of humans that could be traced all the way back to the Oracle of Delphi. The young Oracle’s reputation was growing at a rapid pace. Recently she had become affiliated with Carling and Rune’s consulting agency.
In fact, Carling had suggested that he petition the Oracle about the problem of his curse, but he had been too disheartened by their conversation to follow through with her advice.
He didn’t see how a prophecy from the Oracle could help him. The Oracle could only tell him what he already knew, that he would become totally blind within the next twelve months if he didn’t find some way to stop what was happening to him. He had sent a dozen teams into various parts of the world to try to find ways to break the goddamned curse, which, according to Carling, was a massively expensive, futile effort. But he could no longer leave any avenue unexplored, so he needed to consult with the Oracle as soon as he finished this latest expedition.
He set his own issues aside for the time being to consider what else he knew that was relevant to the success of this expedition. Djinn rarely became intimately involved with anyone outside their own race, and Grace’s relationship with the Djinn Khalil of the House Marid had become famous.
And Sebastian had heard a thing or two about Khalil’s daughter.
He frowned. I do not understand what made Carling bargain away a favor for help from a Djinn who is reputed to be a pariah.
Olivia’s gaze fell. She appeared to concentrate on running a forefinger precisely along the edge of the table. His attention sharpened on the movement. Her fingernails were trimmed short, the nail bed of her forefinger a healthy pink.
He thought of her doing the exact same gesture, only this time running her finger down his bare skin. The skin along his back prickled lightly with goose bumps, and his breathing deepened.
He set his reaction aside and focused on what was relevant. You know something about the bargain.
She shook her head. It’s not my place to say anything. Anyway, it isn’t any of our business.
Everything to do with this expedition is my business, he told her. You might as well tell me. Otherwise, I’ll call Carling and ask her about it. She’ll tell me everything I want to know, so don’t waste my time.
Her gaze lifted again, and the exasperation was back, only this time it was directed at him. All right, maybe he smiled at that. Just a little.
Carling didn’t bargain away a favor for Phaedra’s help, she said. Khalil bargained away a favor to Carling to give Phaedra a job.