Within These Wicked Walls(76)

“Thank God. Well, maybe the four of us can have breakfast together.”

“Well, there are five of us right now, actually. Jember has graciously agreed to help me.”

Graciously? Sure, Andi.

Maybe my thoughts betrayed me, because Magnus’s smile deflated a bit. “Jember? Here?”

“Two debtera are better than one.”

“But he’s awful to you.”

I hesitated. I should never have told him anything. “He’s fine.”

“Fine?” Magnus kicked the blanket off himself as I shushed him. “He beat you. That’s not fine.”

“Disciplined,” I corrected with a sigh.

It was a good thing I never told him about Jember choking me. That might’ve given him a heart attack.

“Well, he kicked you out,” he said, throwing his hands up. “And he broke Saba’s heart.”

“It was the other way around, actually.”

“I love you, Andromeda, but do you really expect me to believe that?” He stood and combed his fingers through his loose curls, just adding frizz to his bedhead. “He was the first debtera we asked three years ago, and he refused the request to get back at her.”

“That’s ridiculous. And irrational. Stop riling yourself up.”

“I’ll ask him, then.”

“Asking will only make him angry, and it was hard enough to get him to say yes in the first place.”

“Then, by all means, he has my permission to leave.” Magnus swung the door wide. “But not before I tell him what I think of him. I’m going to go find something special to wear for the occasion.” And he stormed out of the room and down the hall.

I pressed my palm between my eyes, taking a few deep breaths. Was I the only person in this house with any desire to be civil?





CHAPTER 29


When I peeked my head into the game room, Jember was sitting in the chair facing the door, one leg propped up on the coffee table, the other lying underneath on the cold rug.

He glanced up from the amulet he was constructing. “Is the host awake?”

“He’s getting dressed.” I leaned my shoulder against the doorway. “Saba gave you silver?”

“Not even the fireplace is penetrating this cold,” he said, tucking his blanket closer. “I need to construct a heater if I’m going to sleep in here.”

“There are plenty of bedrooms.”

“Not near the exit.”

“We’re not on the street anymore, Jember.” We were quiet for a moment. But I guess I had no right to say such a thing. When I first arrived here I was wary of everything, too. “Did you and Saba speak when she gave you the silver?”

“She literally can’t speak.”

I raised my eyebrows at him, expecting more. “Did you at least apologize?”

“For what?”

I scoffed. “And to think, I actually wanted you two to be together. But you don’t deserve her. You don’t deserve anyone.”

“I know I don’t.” Jember’s voice chased me as I stepped out in the hall.

I paused and slid halfway back into the room, hugging the doorway. “Self-pity doesn’t really suit you.”

He planted his foot on the floor, leaning forward. “What more can I say to make you stop trying to force us together?” he said, placing the amulet on the table. “She’s dead, Andi. And my skin can’t bear to be touched. So what do you suppose we’d do with each other, hm? Gaze at each other lovingly until the Evil Eye is defeated and she’s gone forever? Indulge in feelings that’ll only be wasted?” He went back to working on his amulet. “I don’t think so.”

“So, you admit it. You love her.”

“I admit nothing.”

I sighed and sat on the edge of the billiards table. “I realize this is my first hyena and I don’t know what I’m doing, but Magnus is still my client. I don’t mind if you take the reins on certain things—that’s why I asked you to stay. But I do expect you to be nice to him.”

“I’m in too much pain today to take demands from a child.”

“I’m not a child anymore.”

“Every time you say that you sound more and more like one.”

I scowled. “You have to be nice. This is his house. And he already thinks you didn’t accept the job to begin with in order to get back at Saba.”

Jember halted in his work. “If she had told him the whole truth he wouldn’t be so angry. She isn’t as perfect as she appears.”

“She’s his mother, of course he’s going to take her side. Besides, you could stand to behave a little less like a villain.”

He rolled his eyes, focusing back on his work, though a bit absently. “I’ll be nice as long as he doesn’t try my patience.”

“What patience?” I grumbled, and pushed some of the billiard balls around the soft surface.

What did you expect, Andi? You’re lucky he’s even here.

I bowed my head, pressing back my excitement as Magnus walked in, Kelela on his arm. She was probably worn out from last night, not to mention her injury. I’m sure he was simply assisting her. But … they just looked so good together. So right. They were of the same social standing, and she was so beautiful. She was showing her prowess, again, by stealing a room just by entering.