Page 8 of These Violent Delights

“How dare...!”

Zelda couldn't fathom where the girl found the nerve to act this way.Was it all a grand bluff?Did she think she could muscle her way in just by making a scene?Zelda had seen spoiled children behave like this before—first came the shouting, then the tears—but she had never witnessed it from a nearly grown woman.Had she never been disciplined as a child?

There was a simple way to settle this.Zelda sighed and made a ‘bring it’ gesture.“Let's see it then.”

Lady Divine frowned, clearly thrown off her stride.“See what?”

“Your magic,” Zelda said casually.“I'm surprised you left the castle in such a bad state when you could do something about it.”She waved a dismissive hand.“I haven't been here a full day, and you can see how much has changed.Can you do that?”

Lady Divine raised her chin defiantly.“I haven't had a reason to.I live in the village in a very comfortable house with my mother and her husband.”

Zelda had to admire her acting skills.The girl didn't even blush.

Feigning boredom, Zelda said, “Then what are you doing here?I'd love to chat, really, but we're in the middle of a business discussion.Come back tomorrow.”

They both knew that Zelda wouldn’t be available.

Realizing her plan wasn't working, Lady Divine switched tactics.Huge tears welled up in her eyes as she prepared to unleash her emotional assault.

Zelda held up a hand.“Let me stop you there.I'm not interested in your fake tears.I'm sure they work very well on your mother and possibly any fool who fancies you.”

“Clearly, they work on your stepfather, or he would have whipped the stupidity out of you a long time ago.”

Lady Divine gasped in outrage and began to sputter.

Zelda continued, undeterred.“Unfortunately, I'm a busy woman.I don't have time for sob stories.The steward will see you out.”

She looked pointedly at the steward.

Taking his cue, the old man stood up.“If you'll follow me, my lady.”

There was hissing and a predictable scuffle.Finally, the steward managed to pull the girl out the door and presumably escort her out of the castle.

“Well done,” Uncle Tank said, his big goblin incisors flashing yellow.“You've dealt with your first annoying visitor!I'm relieved you didn't get all girly and try to make friends.”

Zelda laughed.“You taught me better.Although we might have to station a guard at the door.Clearly, we need to screen our visitors better.”

Her uncle scowled.Both of them were thinking how much difficulty the steward had with removing the small girl.Her uncle could have handled it if it had been someone stronger, but what if he were busy?

And then she remembered the castle.Of course!“Do me a favor, and don't let her in next time,” she said out loud to the castle.“In fact, nobody should enter without permission.”

At her uncle's curious look, she pointed upward.“I'm talking to it.The castle, I mean.”

He grunted.He didn't question her, but he said, “I'll tell the soldiers not to let anyone in without checking with one of us first.”

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