“I did. And yet all of them performed for me, as if they were on a stage. Not a single one engaged me as you did,” he replied. “I confess, Miss Neven, that there was a moment when I thought your intentions were to kill me. And then I realized how absurd that was, and that you were testing me as I wanted to test you. You challenged me as if you were a nightmare on a new moon, and I knew then that you were the one that I wanted beside me.”

His confession took me by surprise. “You must have some terrible nightmares haunt these streets.”

Phelan paused. “I do. I’ve come to learn that they are treacherous on the darkest of nights.”

Every street is treacherous, I wanted to say, remembering the gills that had scarred my neck. I resisted the urge to trace where they had once gleamed.

“Then I accept your offer, Mr. Vesper,” I said. And before he could respond, I added, “When do we begin?”

“Tomorrow,” he answered. “At eight o’clock sharp.”

“Excellent. I’ll see you here at eight.” I took another stair down, only to feel his presence follow me.

“Wait, Miss Neven. Let me walk you home.”

I pivoted and held up my hand. “That’s not necessary.”

Phelan glanced beyond me to the streets, dark patches punctured by the wavering beacons of lamplight. This was a quiet, aristocratic segment of the city, composed of families who were all home for the night. But there were other parts of Endellion that were dangerous to roam alone. I read the lines in his brow. He was worried about this, as well as curious to know where, exactly, I hailed from.

“Then let me call a horse and cab for you,” he said.

“No, I truly don’t need one,” I insisted. “I prefer to walk, especially after that rich dinner.” I took another step away from him and he held his ground. “Good night, Mr. Vesper.”

I strode over the flagstone path to the gate and slipped out into the street.

I waited until I was three blocks away before I called my own horse and cab. It would have taken me all night to make the walk from the southern quadrant up to the north peak of the city, where my mother’s town house resided.

Alone at last, I relaxed in the coach, the cushion smelling of cheap perfume. I leaned my head back and closed my eyes, exhaustion creeping over me. But Phelan’s words continued to sound in my mind, like an instrument that would not cease playing.

You challenged me as if you were a nightmare on a new moon.

He had no idea.

14