Page 31 of The Demon's Discovery
“I owe you nothing further.”
“Of course, of course. But you would be leaving us short an employee ahead of what we’d anticipated.” I simply raised my eyebrow, annoyed that I was a little impressed by Henrik’s boldness. “A hundred gold coins should minimize the impact of losing her so much sooner.”
I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to breathe slowly and not let on how infuriating such a low offer was. Even still, I couldn’t resist seeing how much bluster he had left in him.
“Fifty.”
“Seventy, not a penny less.” Henrik placed his palm flat on the table and leaned toward me, as though trying to intimidate me with his hard stare. It was all I could do not to laugh in his face.
“Seventy it is then.”
The couple had the audacity to cheer as though they’d won something. I would be most interested to speak with this Mr. Feiser, to see what his offer had actually been. Accepting what they had was criminal. Greta was worth infinitely more than that and far more than the pair of them put together.
“It’s been a pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Feland. I do truly appreciate all your efforts. Tell me, where did you find the necklace?”
I shrugged, knowing they would find no flaws in my careful wording. “With a local jeweler. Just a stroke of luck I went in to talk to them, I suppose. It’s a unique piece. They were able to provide me with it without much trouble at all.”
“After all this time! I can’t imagine. Someone must have traded it not realizing what they had,” Henrik mused.
“Mm.”
“Such good fortune for us that they did!” Lara said, smiling wide. “I’ll have Greta informed that she’s to prepare her things.” She all but skipped from the room with the necklace still gripped in her hand.
Henrik offered some awkward small talk, but I had no patience left for his babbling. “Where can I find this Lord Feiser?”
“Oh, I’m sure there’s no reason to involve him.”
“There’s a ring on Greta’s finger.” I bit the words out, hating the way they felt in my mouth, unused to the sensation roiling under my skin. “One that doesn’t belong there and which seems disinclined to be removed.” Henrik blanched. He’d known there was an enchantment at play then. “I find it odd you’d have such intimate dealings with a man nobody else has heard of.”
“He’s quite illusive, does much of his business in far-flung realms. An illustrious businessman though. Greta will be well cared for.”
“Are you refusing to tell me where I can find this man?” I asked, words coated in ice.
“Not a refusal, I simply don’t know where to direct you! He is transient, Mr. Feland. I don’t think he even has a home here in Revalia.”
“If you were to send him a message, where would you have it delivered?”
Henrik must have finally seen the true threat behind my eyes, because he swallowed thickly, moved back, and paled even further.
“I am at his whim, Mr. Feland, I swear. I do not contact him. He is responsible for all of our communication. I anticipate he’ll be back before the end of the season to claim her, but that’s all I know.”
“If he happens to avail himself to a visit before then…”
“I’ll send a messenger, of course,” he hurried to answer.
“Lovely doing business with you, Henrik,” I said, sarcasm thick on my tone. I handed over a pouch full of coins that had made Henrik sway on his feet, stars in his eyes. It was adisgustingly low offer, and I wouldn’t forget how he’d traded her to me for the literal change in my pockets.
I excused myself from the den with the large book tucked under my arm, headed straight for the stairs. “Where?” I asked, and that was enough for him to direct me.
“Third floor.”
I inclined my head and made my way up the steps, relieved to be finished with my dealings here.
Chapter 14
Greta
“Sorry?”
