Page 70 of Carnal: The Beast Who Loved Me

“What…?”

She held a finger to her lips and pulled him inside her room. “Your dad included me in an ‘advisory capacity’. I don’t get a vote. It’s sort of a takes-one-to-know-one thing. He thinks I can anticipate potential human treachery. And, sadly, he might be right. At least to a point.”

Charming looked at her like he pitied her. “You’re not a bad human, Rosie.”

“No. Of course not.” She smiled. “I’m charming.” He laughed quietly. “The thing is, for humans, bad and good is as much a choice as anything. We all have it in us to go either way. Free’s friends keep talking about trust. I’m not sure humans can ever trust each other. Not really. Not completely. And I’m the first one to say it would be a mistake for Exiled to ever forget that.”

“Then you’re against this plan.”

“No. I’m for the plan.”

Charming cocked his head to the side. His smooth young brow furrowed but didn’t wrinkle. “I don’t get it.”

“An uneasy alliance is better than an uneasy distance. There’s a famous saying in my world. It’s a quote from a philosopher who specialized in political warfare. ‘Keep your friends close and your enemies closer’.”

Charming looked away with a slight scowl. “I understand what you’re saying.” He looked at Rosie. “And I wish I didn’t.”

“The death of idealism is hard.”

She gave Charming a kiss on the cheek.

He grinned. “It just got easier.”

Rosie’s responding chuckle quickly died as she grew thoughtful. “Your dad… I see why he’s the Extant. He’s brilliant and good with people.”

Charming smiled proudly. “He is. That’s why no one has questioned his leadership or challenged for it in all these years.” He grew serious. “People say Carnal will be next.”

“They do?”

“Yeah. You might say he’s, ah, admired.”

“I didn’t know that.”

“He’s still a prick.”

Rosie laughed at him again and pushed him toward the door. “I’m falling-down tired. Mere human here. Get out and let me get a few hours’ sleep.”

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