“The people of Crache will never yield to nobility.”

“Of course they will. Because I intend to see to it that we are the only choice left to them. When I’m done, they will beg for a return to the old ways.”

“If the people of the Bottoms rise up they will be slaughtered by Aegins before the Skrain is even called.”

Burr shrugs. “That’s simply a matter of organization and the proper, albeit clandestine support. Logistics are a matter for another day, however. You’re going to be a guest of my house for a goodly while. I want to give you time to reconsider. As I said, this will proceed much better with your full cooperation. I strongly suggest you use the time I’m gifting you to find common ground with our position.”

Lexi’s eyes again flash defiantly. “And if I simply cannot locate that common ground?”

“Then I will be forced to turn these negotiations over to Daian, my house’s very skilled master of persuasion.”

“He promised no harm would come to me.”

Daian shrugs, a thoroughly pleased smile on his face. “I’m afraid I lie quite often.”

“He’s very skilled at that, as well,” Burr seconds. “Trust me, Lady Xia, you have no wish to experience his other specialty. I will leave you to ponder that. And please remember, for our purposes a martyr will serve just as well as a symbol. Decide which you’d prefer. And should you require anything in the interim, please do not hesitate to ring your bell. We shall speak again soon.”

Burr gathers her gleaming skirts and exits the room without waiting for a response.

Daian lingers, watching Lexi with that same smile edged with madness.

“You know, I’m happy you’re here with us,” he says. “I find your presence… comforting.”

Lexi forces a mocking smile to her lips. “That’s very kind. My only wish is to live long enough to watch Taru rip your manhood from your body so that you may gaze upon it from a previously unseen angle before you die.”

“Now that will be a fight worth waking up in the morning for,” Daian says with a wicked grin. “Let’s just hope your retainer is in battle-ready shape when next we meet.”

He leaves her with that, closing the doors behind him and latching them both from the outside.

Lexi suppresses the urge to take up the nearest vase and hurl it at those doors. She turns and walks back to the open picture windows, staring down at the magnificent gardens far below. The serenity and beauty and seeming openness completely belies her predicament, and Lexi can’t help bitterly reflecting on her fate.

If it comes to that, I will jump, she promises herself.