Page 74 of This Monster of Mine

Time slowed as she took in Decimus’s crumpled form, pleading for mercy within the ruins of his home, because the law allowedeverythingbut justice. And she stopped caring.

She faced Helvus. “If you’re operating within Decimus’s rights, then you shouldn’t have any trouble telling us why you’re here.”

“Have you never seen a bankruptcy proceeding?” Helvus chuckled. “Perfectly legal.”

“On what basis?”

“It recently came to my attention that the dearly departed brother of our Decimus here owed my men a little sum. We’re taking the house in repayment.”

Every word was a harsh jangle of sound. “Did it come to your attention before or after Decimus made accusations of murder in a tavern?”

He smirked. “I don’t know what you mean.”

Another discordant burst in her chest. “And I know that you’re lying. Do you have any proof of this ‘debt’? Anything beyond your word?”

Helvus gave her an incredulous look before turning to Kadra. “Can you please inform your Petitor that she’s interfering with my legal rights?”

“You don’t have any,” she snapped. “Jovian never owed you anything.”

Helvus sighed. “Please tell your Petitor that this isn’t a trial and that she can’t Examine citizens at will.”

She turned to Kadra whose gaze had remained trained on her throughout, a line forming between his eyebrows. “Please inform the Guildmaster that a Petitor isn’t limited to Examining only during trial, and that he doesn’t need to wear every ring he owns. It’s an eyesore.”

Helvus’s lips thinned. “Examine all you want, but it’s a waste of magic. There’s no petition here, is there, Decimus?” Wrenching him to his feet by the back of his tunic, he slung an arm around the cowering man. Her heart sank when Decimus shook his head.

Helvus shot her a triumphant grin. “Your services aren’t required. Decimus knows he owes me.”

A crash sounded from the vicinity of Jovian’s study, and Decimus sobbed harder.

“The house is yours,” he said between gasps. “Please stop destroying it.”

“There we are.” Helvus rubbed his hands together. “Now,thatis a binding business agreement. Tetrarch Kadra, my men, to whom the debt was owed, have the documents, if you’d be so kind as to witness them.”

She knew it was foolish. This wasn’t a house of debt-slaves Kadra could sneak into and spray with blood. It was midday. They were up against four Guildsmen and a Guildmaster, and had no grounds for interference as Decimus hadn’t asked for help. But she still turned to Kadra with a silent plea.

His severe expression seemed to soften before he gave an imperceptible shake of his head. Then he vanished into the study, leaving her with a supremely smug Helvus.

He considered her for a moment. “I think I like you.” Stepping closer, he gripped her chin, looking annoyed at her flinch. “Stay put. Let me see. Yes, I think you’ll do quite well.”

Goosebumps pebbled her skin at his touch, the hairs on the back of her neck rising to attention. “The feeling isn’t mutual.”

“It doesn’t have to be.” His grip tightened. She forced back a shudder. “Let me make this easier.”

His other hand slid into her pocket. Weight settled, coins clinking as he withdrew.

She froze at the handful of gold aurei he’d given her. “I don’t want this.”

“You can quibble over the amount later. You’ve a mouth on you, but I’ll let it pass, seeing as you’re new. You’ve got something to prove. Good. There are a few cases coming up that I need taken care of. Do well, and I’ll give you more.”

She stared at his weak chin, shrewd eyes, at the absence of anything resembling humanity on his face. This man could have butchered Jovian and Livia, and thrown her from Sidran Tower. Was this how the deal fortheir lives had been made? A few coins and everyone had looked the other way? Her records ash, her vengeance hopeless. Because a man with power had decided that her life didn’t matter.

Her rage boiled over. The locks to the cage in her head sprung open.I’d just like to give, she’d told Kadra her first night in Edessa. But she’d been wrong. The only people who thrived were those whotook. She glanced at her shaking hands.Then I can take too.

She gave Helvus a brilliant smile. “Why not?”

“I knew we could come to an agreement.” His voice slickened. “I have to say your performance for Tetrarch Kadra was something.”

“Well, I perform every day.” She laughed. Her voice hardened. “Let me show you.”

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