Page 160 of Night's Fall
Red hit her cheeks. “Theking was staunch in his demand.”
“Then he can take it up with the prince.Theprince isalwaysstaunch in his decisions.Theycan battle it out.Youhave a royal statement to release.Youdo your job and allow us to carry on with our afternoon’s business,”Allainretorted.
After she shotAllaina venomous look,Iworried my lip as she flounced out.
ThenIwent to sit down besideAllain.
“I don’t feel good about this,”Itold him.
“Never you mind,MistressLaura,” he replied.
I was minding very much as the door opened andNatacame in.
She was very pretty.
But now, there was no attitude.Sheseemed nervous and guarded.
“Come and have a seat,Nata,”Iinvited.Shedid that, andIasked, “Wouldyou like some water or coffee or tea?”
“I’m good,” she said.
“Excellent,”Imumbled, and turned toAllainbecause he’d started each interview.
He raised his brows.
Okay then,Iguessed it was me who was going to start this one.
I also knew why it was me.
Nothing for it,Igot into it.
I turned to her. “Perhapswe should first dispense with the elephant in the room.”
“You know,” she whispered.
“It’s of no consequence,”Istated. “However,Ihave some say in what’s happening in this room and the beingI’llselect to work withAleksei,Allainand me.WhatIhave no say in is what happens at theCatalogues.”
She lowered her gaze. “Right.”
Yes, she’d seen the writing on the wall.
“I’ve looked at your résumé, and your role evaluations, which are all stellar,”Isaid.
Her chin lifted. “Ilike whatIdo.”
“You can tell.Youdon’t really have the, erm…well…experience we’re searching for in regard to this position, but it’s my understanding detail is essential to the work you do,”Iguided her to fighting for it, if she wanted it.
“As an intern,Iwas second assistant to the head curator at theMuséeHistoiredeGuerrefor six term breaks during uni.Thatmeans this work spanned two years.Yes,Iwas second, and it was only for what amounted to six months.Butthe curator has a staff of nearly thirty, and she was working on an exhibit that had items from thirteen different realms the first yearIwas there, and another huge one onPre-Unificationweapons the second.Itwas busy.Alot was expected of me.Ihad important responsibilities.Shewrote me a stellar reference, andI’mcertain would do so again.”
“I’m sure,”Ireplied.
“She wanted to hire me afterIgraduated.Igot the offer from theCatalogues, the enchanted moonstone of working in my field, soItook that instead.”
Well, it was good to know, if she decided to move on, she might have somewhere to move on to.
But it sucked that it wouldn’t be her first choice.
“AndI’myoung,” she went on, clearly having given this some thought.Sheglanced atAllainthen back to me. “ButIdon’t feel my age is a detriment.Yes, there are thingsI’llhave to learn, butI’mquick, and it’s a personal goal for me to do my job well, pull my weight but also take initiative.Soinstead of my age and inexperience being a detriment,IbelieveI’llprovide energy, fresh outlooks and an understanding of different generations of the citizenry ofNight’sFallthat will be beneficial to you.Notthat you aren’t of my generation,” she said hurriedly (this was true, though she was younger, being twenty-seven). “It’sjust that”—another quick glance atAllain—“things can be a bit stuffy and outdated.Ilooked at the numbers, and nearly ninety percent of people aged thirty-five and younger feel the king is out of touch.”
