Rezkin dropped his hand from her jaw and stepped away. Hilith released a heavy, relieved breath, but her eyes flashed with disappointment. What did she think might happen? That he would take her here and now, right in front of her lover? Yes, she probably did think that, Rezkin conceded. He was more familiar with her type than he wished, but he mentally thanked his masters for that particular lesson. It had been a terrible one to learn, but he now recognized the necessity.

“I assure you, Master,” Hilith said in a rush, “that the Razor Edge Guild will serve you well.”

“Yes, they will, but that will not be your concern,” the Raven asserted. “You are no longer guildmaster, Hilith. I have another task for you. I will give you the opportunity to prove yourself, but make no mistake. If you are found unworthy, you will not enjoy the consequences. In fact, henceforth, there will be little joy to be had in your life.”

Hilith raised a manicured brow and said smartly, “As if there ever was.”

Breck growled and pounded his fist on the arm of his chair but said nothing. Hilith turned her attention to the man, her lover. Her face flushed with embarrassment, but she lifted her chin and shrugged with one shoulder as if to say she felt no shame for her actions. Breck turned his face away as he gritted his teeth and bit back any retort he might make.

Rezkin found the display to be curious. He commended the second for his adherence to Rule 104—Meet uncertainty with silence and listen. The man had not complied with many of the other Rules, but at least he had this much self-control. Still, he was not sure Breck was up to the challenge of taking on the position of guildmaster. While he had managed to attain the position of second, he had the countenance of a follower rather than a leader. Still, if he could follow Rekzin’s lead and still get things accomplished, the arrangement might work.

“What of you, Breck? Are you prepared to fill the position of guildmaster?” the Raven asked, almost as if he actually cared about the response.

Before Breck could utter a word, Hilith interrupted. “What? You’ll make him guildmaster?”

Rezkin turned back to the flummoxed woman. “You chose him as your second. Surely he is the most Skilled and strongest of the guild,” he said wryly.

Hilith shrugged noncommittally while avoiding Breck’s furious gaze. “Well…I had … other … reasons for choosing him.”

“Then you are saying he is not worthy of the position with which you honored him?” the Raven asked calmly with unnerving patience.

Hilith risked a look at her former lover and then lifted her chin and said confidently, “No, he’s not.”

“And, who would you choose?” the Raven asked.

Feeling as though she were gaining ground, Hilith strutted forward. “Demky, perhaps … or Triald,” she said with a pert smile.