Page 32 of Terror at the Gates

“We’d like to discuss a very important matter with you, Mr. Zareth. Privately, if possible.”

“It isn’t,” he replied.

“It isn’t proper, Zahariev—”

“Let’s not pretend anything about this is proper, Burke,” Zahariev said.

I hated blushing, but I couldn’t help it. He might not be worried about these two snitching on us, but I really wanted him to stop giving in to the implication.

“You have already wasted valuable seconds of my time. You have one more to answer my question before I have you escorted out of my territory.”

“We are looking for this man,” said Koval, opening a folder he’d been holding under his arm. He offered a piece of paper to Zahariev.

It was a photo of Ephraim.

Zahariev looked at me. “This is the man from last night?” he asked.

“Yes,” I said and looked at the two enforcers. “He said he killed a man.”

“He confessed to you?” Koval asked, obviously surprised.

“Need I repeat myself?” I asked.

“Of course not, Miss Leviathan,” he said.

I tried not to cringe at his address. It reminded me that he knew who I was.

“Please…could you tell us more?”

I wasn’t going to tell the entire truth. It was one thing for them to have caught me half-naked with Zahariev, another thing for me to confess to using my magic withoutsupervision from my father.

I looked at Zahariev, and though we exchanged no words, he understood what I was thinking. He nodded once, encouraging.

“I noticed he had a dagger unlike anything I had ever seen. I asked him where he got it. He told me he killed a man of the church for it. I then told Zahariev about the confession.”

“I am sure you understand how imperative it is that we locate this man and the blade he stole.”

“Imperative, certainly,” said Zahariev. “Just as imperative as your silence regarding what you witnessed when you interrupted my meeting with Miss Leviathan.”

I’d never really wanted to die before, but if God decided now was my time, I’d be glad to fucking go. Nothing could get worse than this.

“We would never divulge your personal business, Mr. Zareth,” said Koval.

Zahariev stared, waiting.

“Or Miss Leviathan’s,” Burke added quickly.

He exchanged a nervous look with Koval. They were both sweating, the lights glaring off their foreheads.

“Right,” Zahariev said.

The sound of a door closing drew our attention. My gaze shifted to the entrance. Cassius had arrived, carrying a metal case. I assumed the blade I’d taken from Ephraim was inside.

“Gentlemen,” said Zahariev. “You are familiar with my second.”

“Of course,” said Burke, nodding to Cassius.

“He will escort you to your vehicle with the blade.”

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