Page 71 of Beg the Night

I led Athena to the two open chairs directly across from Mags and Athena’s sister. I took the seat closest to Director, leaving my counterpart to sit next to the man I didn’t recognize.

Every cell in my body told me this was wrong.

As soon as we were seated, the rest of the group settled as well.

“Margaret,” I said as my sister shifted in her chair. “What are you doing here?”

It was impossible to keep anger from dripping from my words. She was supposed to be gone. Safe. Very, very far from here.

She cleared her throat. “Since Director pulled me from the dungeons, I’ve been staying here in the mansion. It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”

I scanned my sister’s face, looking for any sign of trouble. She was a ball of fire when she needed to be, but she was smart. She would play any part if she needed to.

The question was, was this a role? And if so, what was the point?

When I didn’t respond, Athena spoke up. “I thought you would be long gone by now. That was part of the deal, wasn’t it?”

Her eyes were not on Mags, but on Katherine.

Katherine’s fake smile tightened, the thin skin around her eyes crinkling. “She’s out of the dungeons, isn’t she?”

Director’s shrill voice echoed off the gold walls as she interrupted, “I was surprised when Katherine told me of the deal you made. You’d perform the claiming willingly if it meant this girl could go free, do I have that right?” She assessed Athena, her expression calculating.

I choked back the trepidation trying to crawl its way up my throat. My sister was not a toy to be played with. She sure as hell did not belong to the Ministry.

“It was a tempting deal,” she said. “It really was. But you’re a smart girl, aren’t you, Athena?” Director leaned forward until her elbows were resting on the table.

I clenched my fists to keep from punching her in the mouth.

“I’m sure you can understand why I need Margaret here to stay with us.”

Anger and panic radiated from Athena, soaking into me the way her power had the other night, as if our connection allowed the easy transfer. It only compounded my own fury. Betrayal. Resentment.

“You lied to me,” she whispered, turning her attention back on her sister.

“No, I didn’t. I told you I would try, and I did. This is a much better arrangement for her than?—”

“I’m fine, Athena!” Mags zeroed in on her. “I’m fine here. It really has been nice. Much nicer than that dark place.” She swallowed audibly. “But I did miss you two.”

Director smiled, though the expression didn’t reach her eyes. “Yes, she did. It’s why I wanted us all to share this meal. Now, I assume we can all behave ourselves long enough to do that, can’t we?”

Athena took a shaking breath. Mags’s eyes were still on mine, a silent message playing beneath her small smile.Behave.

Yeah, I wasn’t much for following rules.

But they still had my sister.They still had my fucking sister.

“Well.” I cleared my throat. “It is nice to see you again, Mags. I suppose this is a nicer arrangement. How long do you plan on staying?”

Staying. As if she had the choice.

Mags shrugged, eyes darting between me and Director.

“She’ll stay until we know we can trust you.”

Hackles rising, I stared Director down. “You can’t trust me?”

She gave me a condescending smile. God, I hated her. “No, I can’t. You say you’ll perform the claiming tonight, but as the only unclaimed three in our arsenal, measures must be taken. You understand, right?”

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