Page 91 of A Duet of Darkness and Dreams

“It’ll be great.”

“You have everything you need?” he asks.

I nod, the enormity of this opportunity settling over me. A handful of motel vouchers, deadlines, contact information . . . it’s a lot of responsibility.

“Mister Lewis?” his secretary interrupts. “Your two o’clock is here.”

“Thank you, Eliza. Now, Miss Rodriguez. Any more questions?”

I can’t help but grin. “No, I think I have everything I need. Thank you, sir.”

He nods and I’m ushered out into the outer office, where a man with black curly hair longer than James’s and a pair of sunglasses walks past me, shutting the door behind him.

“You think you’re ready for this, do you?” Eliza says once we’re out in the hallway by her desk. Her tone is tight though she smiles widely.

“Oh,” I say, turning toward her as she retakes her place behind her desk. “Yes, I think so.”

Her nose twitches. “Well, you shouldknowso. We here atEarwormhave something of a reputation for excellence to uphold. If you don’t think you can rise to the occasion, then you should reconsider.”

My mouth drops open. Is this secretary really saying all of this with her wide, plastic-looking smile?

“Close your mouth, dear,” she says through gritted teeth. “It’s not a good look for a young lady.”

Pressing my lips together, I breathe through my nose. Does Mister Lewis know she speaks to people this way? Or is there just something about me in particular she feels the need to be a total bitch about? “I’m definitely ready for the challenge.”

She scans me from foot to face. “We’ll see about that.”

What the hell is this woman’s problem? If her boss thinks I’m capable then that’s all that matters. Besides, I hardly think she’s in a position to be picky, if their magazine can barely stay afloat.

“Here are your accommodation vouchers,” she says, handing me a large brown envelope with a scowl. “Make sure you keep receipts for everything.”

“Of course.”

“Did Mister Lewis explain our professionalism policy to you?” she asks, typing furiously on her typewriter.

“Uh . . .”

She looks up and places her hands under her chin with a tsk. “He’s a very busy man so I’ll give you the short version. As anemployee of this publication, you are expected to conduct yourself in a professional and dignified manner at all times. If at any point you are seen or reported for behavior that violates our guidelines, your employment shall be terminated.”

My mouth opens and closes a few times before I can finally speak. “Who dictates what is professional and dignified?”

She sighs and rolls her eyes. “If you have to ask such a thing, you’ll probably be out of here before you can even make your submission deadline. Especially if you’re covering one of those devil bands.” She says the last part under her breath.

“Devil bands?”

Not looking up, she mutters something again and I roll my eyes. Perfect. “They’re actually wonderful people, if you bothered to get to know them.”

Her eyes flick up and narrow on my face. A chill sweeps down my spine at the icy cold nothingness in their depths. Again, she gives me an appraising look. “Let me give you a piece of advice,” she says sweetly. “Girls like you shouldn’t be covering stories like this, but seeing as how we’re here, I highly recommend you make sure you’re only going to be working.”

I take a step closer to her desk. “As opposed to what?”

She twists her mouth. “Our reputation is very important to us,” she says, dodging my question.

“I get it,” I say.

“I wonder,” she continues. “Just how did you get involved with a band like Carnal Sins?”

I meet her judgmental gaze with fierce pride. “None of your business.”

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