Page 119 of Nightshade

“I’m curious to know how you managed to con her into giving you that book with no exchange of coin. She’s not known to be generous.”

For once, I appreciated the distraction of Jericho’s penetrating and ever calm voice. “Maybe she liked me.”

“What is it, anyway?”

“A romance, I think. I’ve not started it, but skimming gives me that impression.”

“Riveting, I’m sure.” The thick sarcasm in his voice had me smiling.

“You don’t believe in romance.”

“The heart is frivolous, at best.”

“Who broke yours?”

“What makes you think mine is broken?”

“How else did you become so cynical?”

“Decades upon decades of practice.” It was hard to say what it was about his bitterness toward the world that I found so … appealing? He made for the most intriguing puzzle. A tightly sealed box, whose layers I wanted to peel away just to see what lay hidden inside.

“I’d like to attend the Hallow Harvest Ball.”

The calm on his face twisted to a suspicious frown. “How did you hear about that?”

“A flyer.” I opened my book to the page where I’d stuffed it, only to find nothing there. Confused, I shook my head. I couldn’t have dropped it, with as snugly as it’d been tucked. “Well, it was … I just had it …”

“Hallow Harvest is by invitation only. There wouldn’t be a flyer.”

“I swear I saw it. How else would I know about it?”

“I’m not entirely sure, but it is not open to the public. It’s no place for you.”

Snapping the cover shut, I narrowed my eyes. “And what gives you the authority to tell me what isn’t for me? I’m the only staff you didn’t purchase, remember?”

“The fact that you enjoy a certain level of protection under my roof.”

“There might be an opportunity to learn more about my father.”

“In order to gain entry, since you’re not on the guestlist, you’d have to attend as someone’s companion. And going as someone’s companion means you’re willing to be traded around.”

His words left a sour taste in my mouth as I sat chewing them over. “Traded? As in … to men?”

“Men, women, whoever takes an interest in you.”

“I could go as your companion and figure out a way to stay under the radar.”

“My answer is no.”

Tension twisted in my stomach, and frustrated, I turned my attention toward the window to keep from sounding like a child begging a parent for permission.

“Quit pouting,” he said.

At that, I gritted my teeth together. “You know, for someone who claims he has no interest in protecting me, you’re awfully protective.”

“What makes you think this has anything to do with protecting you?”

“Then, why else would you care if I go, or get propositioned by other men?”