Terebell stowed it in her shirt. Warden said something to her. She touched her forehead to his before she exited the room, locking the heavy door behind her. Warden remained where he was for a moment, looking at the window, before then his attention shifted to the bed. To me.

He pulled back the drapes and sat on the edge of the covers. “How are you feeling?” he asked.

“Fuck you.”

His eyes burned. “Better, I take it.”

“Why does Terebell have my phone?”

“So that Nashira does not find it. Her red-jackets would be able to extract contact information for your friends in the syndicate.”

“I don’t have friends in the syndicate.”

“Try not to lie to me, Paige.”

“I’m not lying.”

“Another lie.”

“Because you’re always so truthful.” I stared him out. “You left me with that thing. You left me alone, in the dark, with a Buzzer.”

“You knew it would be coming. You knew you would have to face an Emite. In any case, I did warn you.”

“How the hell did you warn me?”

“Cold spots, Paige. That is how they travel.”

“So you let one out?”

“You were in no danger. I know you were frightened, but I needed you to possess that deer.”

He fixed his eyes on mine. My mouth turned dry.

“You did all that just so I’d be able to possess Nuala.” I wet my lips. “You set the whole thing up when you opened the cold spot.” He nodded. “You released the Buzzer.” He nodded again. “And you made me so scared I—”

“Yes.” He wasn’t ashamed of it. “I suspected your gift was activated by strong emotions: anger, loathing, sadness—and fear. Fear is your real trigger. By forcing you to the absolute limit of mental terror, I forced you to possess Nuala, making you think she was the Buzzer that had stalked you through the woods. But I would never have endangered your life.”

“It could have killed me.”

“I took certain precautions. I repeat: you were never in any immediate danger.”

“That’s a flam. If you think a circle of salt is a precaution, you’re off the cot.” I was slipping into street slang, but I didn’t care. “You must have loved that—seeing me dance—”

“No, Paige. I am trying to help you.”

“Go to hell.”

“I already exist on a level of hell.”

“Exist on one that isn’t near mine.”

“No. You and I made a deal, and I do not break deals.” He held my gaze. “I expect you in ten minutes. You owe me an hour of pleasant conversation.”

I could have spat at him, but the line had been drawn. I left the room and went up to the second floor.