ly studied her. Measured her. And Eira, for once in he

afraid of

d, though her pu

shoul

e rendered in shadow and smoke. She watched the play of muscle beneath his shirt

b," he said, still facing

ed on the armrest.

ou want to

exact. Shame twisted in her gut-but it

tarted, bu

s not play games. You've had...how

she sai

avior." He lifted a paper from his desk, reading aloud. "'Repeate

oken by HR reps and counselors and friends who trie

g in you recognized something i

dn't a

continued. "You're c

apped up. "Wha

nd the air around him ch

ustries-is a front. My real work is older. Darker. Binding." He reached in

d at it.

. Your time. Y

breath

. "You submit to me completely. I feed w

was dry. "

dropped. "

at was thunder now. A par

eeper, filthier pa

ien said softly. "No

hed for t

open