“Jo—” the distant bellow rang out for the third time. But this time there was a flash of light that illuminated the entire cavern like a lightning flash, a sound like someone falling from a trivial height, and McDaran’s voice finished, “—lene?”

“What is it?” Jolene’s tone could have put ice on the pond in midsummer, but McDaran either didn’t hear her tone or didn’t heed it.

Likely don’t care.

“Thet Anna May Jones y’all promised me!” he growled. “She done sassed me, disrespected me, turned me down flat, an’ run off! Y’all git her fer me right now!”

“Are . . . you . . . ordering me, McDaran?” If Jolene’s tone could have put ice on the pond before, it would have frozen it to the bottom now.

McDaran snorted with actual contempt. “Damn right I am, woman! Y’all promised me, now y’all make good on it!” Anna could scarcely believe her ears. She had known McDaran was stupid, but she had no idea he was that stupid! Jolene was standing there in all her power right in front of him! Couldn’t he see it? Couldn’t he see the danger he was in?

Or did he think he was so powerful that he didn’t care?

Jolene’s tone turned . . . silky. She all but purred her next words. Anna shuddered, without quite knowing why.

“Before I fetch the girl for you, I would like confirmation of some things,” she murmured. “After all, it is going to take a strong man to handle the job of mine boss, don’t you think? If I arrange for that, arrange for you to have a position where you will be completely in charge of the entire mine and smelting operation, answerable only to the owners, how do you plan to handle problems of discipline? The smelter workers don’t know you; they might defy your orders.”

“Then I’ll lay ’em out on the ground, jest like I do th’ miners thet sass me!” McDaran roared. “Woman, this is a-wastin’ my time!”

“And another thing,” Jolene continued. “The girl is a delicate creature, and she might not be able to take your attentions night after night; I’m concerned you might find yourself frustrated with her, and I would hate for you to be deprived of your very important needs because she might be indisposed—”

McDaran interrupted her with an angry guffaw. “Then I’ll plow one’a my two hoors,” he said crudely. “I ain’t a-gonna break her. Not when I c’n siphon off her power t’add t’mine as long as I keep her breathin’. Y’all watch, Jolene. Purt’ soon I’m a-gonna rule this here valley! There ain’t nothin’ an’ no one thet’s gonna git in my way. Now y’all fetch her! Give her to me like y’all promised! Right now!”

“I promised you nothing,” Jolene spat. “You heard what you wanted to hear, you fool. And you are in no position to make demands of me!”

“Why, you furrin hoor—” McDaran snarled. And then, suddenly, he gave a yelp of surprise. “Wait—what? What y’all doin’? Jolene! Jolene!” He began to howl inarticulately, and Anna peeked around the side of the throne, arms full of lizards, who were trembling faintly.