Page 45 of The Demon's Discovery
When we got to the end of the street, Vassago came around the corner, one hand tucked into the gap between buttons in his vest like he did when he was nervous or intently focused.
“Everything alright?” I asked, off balance by his unusual mood shift and behavior.
“Yes.” His lips lifted, and he reached for the items I’d purchased. “Just saw someone I thought I recognized.”
“Did you find them?” I asked as we shifted down to the next table.
He shook his head slowly, eyebrows coming together, as he leaned across me to trade a coin for a new leather pouch. His white locks drifted across my shoulder, his body pressing into mine as he did so. It was a distraction technique, and an effective one. “No, Dragonfly. He turned one too many corners before I could find out for sure.” He linked his arm in mine, the carriage within view. “Shall we?”
I nodded, and Grace took up the conversation all on her own as we traveled back to d’Arcan, gushing over the choices I’d made. “It’s always a bit hard to see straight when you’re new to the market,” she nodded sagely. “The vendors were all on their best behavior as well, I didn’t see any that tried to take advantage of your lack of experience with bartering. Not like that food vendor. And did you see the candler?” She scoffed and launched into a recounting of how she wasn’t having any part of the vendors increasing their prices.
I listened and nodded, feeling guilty when we arrived back at the collegium and I realized I hadn’t been paying attention.
“I’m glad you came. And you made excellent choices. I hope you’ll join me again. The vendors switch every few weeks, so there’s always something new.”
“I’d like that,” I said. Grace patted my hand and veered off toward the kitchen while Vassago and I continued up the stairs.
All told, I’d chosen two books and a pot of lilac-scented hand cream to bring home. It felt odd spending money that wasn’t mine. I’d never really had any to speak of, but for Vassago to hand over coin on my behalf… I wasn’t sure I liked it.
Once we were standing outside my apartment door, I found myself fidgeting, nervous about how to start that conversation.
“Are you alright?” he asked.
“Yes.”
His eyes narrowed on me. “You can speak freely with me, Greta.”
“I just— The money you spent.”
“What about it?”
“I feel strange that you did it.”
“You shouldn’t. You ask for nothing, and I have ample coin to spare. It’s my pleasure, truly, to use it on you.” He leaned forward, pinning me with that golden stare that turned my insides to liquid. “But I can also understand why it might feel strange. I’ll have to discuss numbers with my brother, but I’m certain we can come to an arrangement where a salary is concerned.”
“Salary? So, am I to be faculty?”
“If you wish to be. I think you have much to offer the students should you choose to teach next term.”
My heart thudded gleefully behind my ribs, pride and excitement bubbling over. “I would love that.”
“Good. Then we’ll need to make up a contract with our mutual terms. Until then, I’m happy to set aside some coin for you, for your time, so you have your own money.” He frowned. “What did your employers do before? If you were not allowed to go into the city at all, did they purchase things for you?”
Shame quickly replaced the buoyant feelings. “I was given meals, boarding, and clothing. I received an hourly wage as well, but it was not much. They would hold my money until I made a supply request, then use my earned coin for that.” Vassago’s eyes flashed red and a muscle in his jaw ticked. “I didn’tneedanything else, but it would have been nice to be able to choose some things for myself once in a while. Bea was good about asking for things I mentioned, though.” I smiled, remembering the time she’d gotten me some hair pins, and another where she’d found me a vial of rose oil. Her biggest triumph had been convincing Henrik that I was better served by a new pair of suede trousers and several linen shirts than the stiff shift dresses many of the maids lived in day in and day out.
“They are in your debt, Greta. Should you ever choose to make things right, I’d be honored to stand at your side to deliver the justice they deserve.” His smile lacked all warmth, his teeth pointed and eyes a fierce ruby shade.
I worried for myself, because seeing him like that set my heart racing and had my thighs clenching together. My head bobbed as I struggled to swallow over the sudden rush of desire, and opened my apartment door, seeking an escape. “I appreciate that,” I said, not sure what else I could say to calm him.
I knew he wasn’t wrong, but until I met him, I’d been completely powerless to do much about it myself. “I’d like to go to Bea’s ball,” I blurted. It had been on my mind for days, but I wasn’t sure how to bring it up.
“Ball?” he asked, shocked out of his anger. “When is it?”
“When they normally do their end-of-summer celebration. It’s to announce her entrance into marriage eligibility.” I couldn’t help but grimace, even saying those words tasted bad.
“I’ll be happy to escort you to her event.” He nodded, vicious smile widening. I knew him well enough to know he was quietlyplotting seven moves ahead for such a thing now that I’d mentioned it. “Sweet dreams, Greta.”
“Good night.” I took one step inside, then froze. “What…” Tears filled my eyes as I took in the room.
