Page 33 of Of Sins and Sacrifice

He raises his brows.

“You’re not…?”

“Pleased to meet you. In fact, I am the opposite of pleased. First, you killed a man for me when I did not ask you to, which I will have you know, messed with my quota. Then you practically forced me to help you with that building. Andthenyou drag me to this place and you made me dress up your wounds as if I were your personal nurse. You, sir, are far too presumptuous and I amnotpleased about meeting you.”

I finally catch my breath when I’m done speaking, but I nod to myself, pleased about the eloquent flow of my words.

The corners of his lips are curled up and he’s watching me as if he’s barely holding back laughter.

I frown. What is his problem?

“So let me get this straight. I killed a man without your permission.”

I nod. Finally, he’s showing some trace of intellect.

“Then I forced you to help those people.”

Damn right. I nod again.

“And then Imadeyou tend to my wounds.”

Another nod.

“All against your will.”

“Precisely,” I say with a huff.

He stares at me for a moment before he bursts into laughter.

“Yet you’re still here.” He points to where I’m sitting. “I am not holding you hostage, yet I don’t see any sign of you leaving.”

“That’s only becauseyoursight is faulty in the darkness. I am actually in the process of getting up and leaving,” I quickly counter.

“It’s taking you quite some time to do so,” he drawls.

“Well, I am tired. You did force me to move all those stones. It’s quite natural to be slower after such an exertion,” I say, though he is right. I still make no effort to get up and leave.

But I will.

In a moment.

I did not lie to him. I find myself rather tired after all that physical effort. It’s the only reason why I’m still sitting here. It has absolutely nothing to do with him.

“You’re an odd duck, Minerva,” he murmurs, amused.

I glare at him. How dare he call me a duck?

First tiny darling, now odd duck? Who does he take me for?

“You puny human! How dare you call me a duck?” I thunder at him.

“Now, Minerva, darling, you’re misunderstanding?—”

“Don’t you darling, or duck me, mister,” I threaten.

“Duck you?” he repeats.

“Yes, don’t you duck me!” I take a deep breath to calm myself. “Humans. Nasty creatures.”

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