Page 85 of Cast in Atonement

“Teela does.”

“I don’t know what you’ve been doing lately,” Tanner, who was on door duty, said. “But it’s good you’re not late today.”

Kaylin cringed. “Ironjaw?”

“He’s going to need a new desk by lunchtime, according to Caitlin.”

When dealing with angry Leontine, forewarned wasn’t forearmed. Unless you could just run for the hills. Since she couldn’t, she approached the inner office with a growing sense of dread. Angry bosses were bad. Angry Leontine bosses were worse. It was the bristling fur and exposed fangs. And claws.

Marcus had never killed anyone in the office since she’d been part of it; killing subordinates was illegal, and Marcus was a Hawk. But his territorial instincts sometimes made work less comfortable—unless upper-level bureaucrats were trying to shove something down their throats, in which case you could comfortably hide behind him.

Caitlin was right: it would be time to go desk shopping again.

“Corporal Neya. I see you’re on time.”

“Yes, sir.” She moved to stand in front of his desk. There were fewer piles of paper on it; there were more on the floor nearest the desk legs.

“You’re aware that your personal life should never interfere with your duties.”

“Yes, sir.”

“And your personal activities should not bring the Hawks into disrepute.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Apparently you’ve forgotten these rules. Corporal Handred!” He roared.

Severn came from around Marcus’s desk to join Kaylin; he was less stiff.

“Your services have been requested by the Imperial Court.”

Ugh.

“Apparently one of your evening jaunts—in your personal life—has caused what amounts to panic in the Imperial Court. The Dragon who currently oversees his fancy school and the Dragon that in theory oversees your magical studies have said that your current duties are now irrelevant.”

Kaylin didn’t wince, but it took effort. She made no attempt to correct him, although she was certain Sanabalis had said no such thing.

It was Severn who spoke. “How long will the Imperial Court require our services?”

“Until,” Marcus growled, “the situation is resolved.”

Which meant they had no idea.

“The Lord of Hawks has been informed?”

“He wants to see you both before you leave.”

“Corporal Handred has also been seconded?”

“Obviously.” To Kaylin’s great relief, Marcus didn’t ask her why she was being temporarily transferred. “You need someone who can keep you out of trouble.”

Kaylin exercised her linguistic skills as they climbed the stairs to the Hawklord’s tower. Severn was sympathetic, but silent.

Remember the tower’s acoustics.

“I don’t care if they hear me. Marcus is practically blaming me, and none of this is my fault. It’s Azoria’s fault, and she’s already beyond the reach of the law.”

If we can’t resolve it—as Marcus put it—there’s no way Mrs. Erickson is going to be allowed to stay with you and Helen.

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